Voters in New Jersey and Virginia headed to the polls on Tuesday to select new governors, in contests widely viewed as early indicators of the American electorate’s mood following US President Donald Trump’s first nine months in office.

In New York City, a fiercely contested mayoral race highlights the Democratic Party’s internal divisions, while California voters are deciding on a redistricting measure that could reshape the balance of power in the US House of Representatives.

Tuesday’s results offer the Democratic Party a chance to evaluate strategies as it seeks a path forward after losing control in Washington. The party remains divided over how best to challenge Trump’s influence and reconnect with a broader electorate.

Former President Barack Obama campaigned in New Jersey and Virginia over the weekend, urging voters to support Democratic candidates as a counterbalance to what he described as Trump’s "lawlessness."

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At least 3 million early votes were cast in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, all surpassing totals from four years ago. 

In the New York mayoral election alone, roughly 1.2 million people have cast their votes, 6 hours prior to closing the polls, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent in the city.

By this, according to our correspondent, the voter turnout by noon exceeded all previous mayoral elections.

New Jersey and Virginia governor races in spotlight

In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and congresswoman, holds a narrow lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state legislator and small-business owner.

In Virginia, polls show former Democratic congresswoman Abigail Spanberger with a comfortable lead over Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.

While Trump is not on the ballot, his policies and presence continue to shape voter choices. In Stafford, Virginia, where Trump narrowly lost in the last presidential election, voters cited immigration and tariffs as key concerns.

Juan Benitez, a first-time voter and independent, said he voted for Democrats due to his opposition to Trump’s immigration policies and federal government shutdowns.

Jennifer Manton, a longtime Trump supporter, backed Republicans and highlighted Trump’s tariffs as a major factor in her vote.

Read more: US gov't shutdown braces to become longest in history

New York City mayoral race exposes party rifts

In a race emblematic of the Democratic Party’s ideological divide, 34-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani faces off against 67-year-old Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the primary. Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee, trails far behind in the polls.

Mamdani has campaigned on a bold progressive platform, including rent freezes and fare-free public transportation. Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid a scandal, is attempting a political comeback with centrist messaging.

Trump endorsed Cuomo on Monday, warning that a Mamdani victory could jeopardize federal funds for New York City, a power the president does not have without congressional approval.

Read more: Billionaires mobilize in attempt to crush Mamdani’s mayoral bid: WSJ

California redistricting measure on the ballot

Voters in California are also deciding on Proposition 50, a Democratic-backed initiative to redraw the state’s congressional map in an effort to flip five Republican-held districts. The measure is seen as a direct response to redistricting actions in states like Texas and is expected to pass.

Though not on the ballot, Trump remains central to both Republican and Democratic strategies. Spanberger and Sherrill have positioned themselves as moderates with national security backgrounds, using opposition to Trump to rally support.

Republican candidates like Ciattarelli and Earle-Sears face the challenge of navigating Trump’s legacy, needing his base without alienating moderates and independents.

Despite his continued presence in the political landscape, Trump’s approval rating stands at 43%, with 57% disapproving of his performance, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.

However, the poll also shows that this disapproval has not translated into a decisive advantage for Democrats, with voters split evenly on party preference for the 2026 midterms.

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