Americans are heading to the polls for key races nationwide, as critical races like the New York City mayor’s race hang in the balance.
While neither the President nor Congress is up for election, numerous key races will be decided across the country on November 4. In one of the most prominent races, Democrat state Rep. Zohran Mamdani – a self-proclaimed socialist – is challenging independent former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa for mayor of New York City.
The morning of election day, Mamdani slightly led Cuomo in the polls, according to the New York Post. Meanwhile, Sliwa trailed in a distant third place. Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will close at 9 p.m. ET.
The race for New York City mayor is just one of many pivotal elections nationwide. In Texas, voters will decide on a series of ballot measures. Other states, such as Minnesota, Virginia, California, and New Jersey, are also holding important races.
While voter turnout is typically lower in years without federal elections, these campaigns may offer a glimpse into the public’s perception of Republican President Donald Trump’s new administration.
Texas
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott called a special election to fill the seat of Democrat Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died suddenly in March, as The Dallas Express previously reported.
Texans will also vote on 17 constitutional amendments in the upcoming election. Early voting began on October 20 and ended on October 31.
Proposition 15 would affirm that parents are the primary decision-makers for their children. The amendments also include criminal justice measures, like the following:
- Proposition 3 – to allow denial of bail for certain violent offenders.
- Proposition 12 – to reform the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, increasing citizen representation on the board, transparency for misconduct, and enforcement.
- Proposition 16 – to codify the requirement that only U.S. citizens can vote in elections.
Texans will also vote on numerous tax reforms, like the following:
- Proposition 2 – to ban the state legislature from passing a capital gains tax.
- Proposition 6 – to ban the state legislature from taxing securities transactions.
- Proposition 7 – to allow homestead exemptions for the surviving spouse of a veteran who died of conditions related to service.
- Proposition 8 – to ban the state legislature from taxing estate, inheritance, or gifts.
- Proposition 9 – to allow the state legislature to exempt up to $250,000 in income-generating property from property taxes.
- Proposition 11 – to allow the state legislature to raise the school property tax exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners to $60,000.
- Proposition 13 – to raise the school property tax exemption for homesteads to $140,000.
- Proposition 17 – to allow the state legislature to exempt property along the southern border from tax increases resulting from border security infrastructure.
Minnesota
In Minneapolis, voters will decide on a similar mayor’s race. Socialist Omar Fateh, a first-generation Somali American, is challenging incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey.
Some have dubbed Fateh the “Mamdani of the Midwest.” Democrat U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the radical “squad” in Congress, endorsed him in October. As The Center Square reported, Fateh recently drew backlash after waving the Somali flag at a campaign rally.
Minneapolis has used ranked-choice voting since 2006, which could greatly increase Fateh’s chances, according to Washington Monthly. Under this system, voters rank up to three candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives 50%, the candidate in last place is eliminated, and this process continues until a clear winner is named. In 2021, this helped place a socialist on the city council.
Virginia
Voters in Virginia will decide between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former Democrat state Rep. Abigail Spanberger, as The Dallas Express previously reported. According to The New York Times, the Democrat held an edge over the Republican going into election day.
Virginians will also decide on attorney general, choosing between Republican Jason Miyares and Democrat Jay Jones, who faced a scandal when leaked texts showed he wished for the murder of a political opponent and his children.
California
Californians will decide on whether to gerrymander California’s maps under Proposition 50, as The Dallas Express previously reported. This could allow the Democrat-controlled state legislature to implement a new district map, aside from that drawn by the independent redistricting commission, until 2030.
If the proposition passes, it will likely give Democrats five additional seats to counter Texas Republicans’ recent redistricting efforts.
New Jersey
Voters in New Jersey will decide whether to elect Republican Jack Ciattarelli or Democrat Mikie Sherrill as governor. According to The New York Times, the upcoming race is close, but Sherrill held a slight edge going into election day.
While these races are less prominent than general elections or midterms, they carry widespread implications for each political party – and the country’s future.