Key election races in New Jersey and Virginia, along with New York City’s mayoral race, are entering their final stretch as new polls show close contests that have drawn attention from across the country and raised expectations ahead of the results.

In New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, a recent AtlasIntel poll conducted between Oct. 25 and 30 shows Democrat Mikie Sherrill narrowly ahead of Republican Jack Ciattarelli by 0.9 percentage points, 50.2% to 49.3%, remaining within the poll’s 2-point margin of error, according to News Talk 780 KOH. The poll, which gathered responses from more than 1,600 likely voters, shows the race in the Garden State is almost evenly divided.

Former US President Barack Obama joined a Nov. 1 rally for Sherrill, underscoring the race’s significance for Democrats as early voting figures show them performing slightly better than their 2024 levels.

Virginia sees Democrats surpassing Republicans

CNN reported that Democratic mail-in ballot returns are surpassing those of Republicans by more than 41 points, an increase from their 39-point advantage at the same stage last year, according to News Talk 780 KOH. In Virginia, Governor Abigail Spanberger is showing strong signs of being on track for reelection.

A Hill/Emerson poll shows Democrat Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Winsome Earle-Sears 56% to 44%, while the state’s attorney general race remains tight with Democrat Jerra Jones holding 51% against incumbent Jason Miyares’ 49%.

Early voting in Virginia indicates higher Democratic participation than in 2024, though party officials warn that significant changes can still occur on Election Day. 

Mamdani leads New York mayoral polls

In New York City’s mayoral race, an AtlasIntel poll shows incumbent Zohran Mamdani ahead with 41%, followed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo at 34% and Republican Curtis Sliwa trailing with 24%.

The 7-point gap has tightened compared to earlier polls, mainly because Cuomo has gained backing from older, moderate Democrats.

CNN analysis indicates that turnout among older voters is higher than in the primaries, while participation among younger voters has also risen, suggesting that Mamdani’s base may be reenergizing, according to News Talk 780 KOH.

Mamdani becomes a divisive figure in the US

In a CBS 60 Minutes interview aired Sunday, US President Donald Trump criticized Mamdani in the New York City race, calling him a “communist” and saying “he’s far worse than a socialist.”

The US president also targeted Mamdani’s appearance, stating, “I think I'm a much better-looking person,” a comment that attracted media attention.

Trump’s remarks come as Mamdani campaigns with progressive leaders like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, presenting himself as a critic of the current administration’s policies.

Obama personally phoned Mamdani on Saturday, commending his campaign and offering to act as a “sounding board” going forward, according to ABC News.

The 30-minute phone call, initially reported by The New York Times and confirmed by ABC News, also addressed the challenges of staffing a new administration and carrying out policy objectives, with Obama telling Mamdani, “Your campaign has been impressive to watch,” according to the outlet.

Trump faces growing disapproval, Dems achieve modest gains

A separate poll released Sunday by The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos found that 46% of registered voters would support the Democratic candidate in their district if the midterms were held that day, compared to 44% for the Republican candidate, with 9% undecided or indicating they would not vote.

The poll also found that 59% of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s performance, while 64% believe he is overextending presidential power.

ABC News also reported that crucial swing groups, such as young Hispanic men who favored Republicans in 2024, are now evenly divided between the parties on the generic ballot. Although early voting trends suggest modest Democratic gains, analysts caution that strong turnout on Election Day could still alter the outcomes of the races.