This Tuesday there are elections in 11 states, including California, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, where some processes have had a certain national impact.

One of the most high-profile races is for mayor of New York City, about which even President Donald Trump has spoken. Trump is running against Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, who is leading in the polls. His main opponent is former governor Andrew Cuomo, who, although he has gained ground in the polls, remains in second place. In third place is Republican Curtis Sliwa, whom President Trump does not publicly endorse. “I’m not a fan of Cuomo for better or for worse, but if I had to choose between a bad Democrat and a communist [referring to Mamdani], honestly, I’ll always go with the bad Democrat,” Trump said in an interview on CBS News. California is holding a special election on Proposition 50, Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan, which was pushed through after the reshuffling of five districts in Texas and passed by Republicans. The Proposition would allow the governor to temporarily bypass California’s independent redistricting commission and implement a congressional electoral map more favorable to his party before the 2026 midterm elections. Polls indicate that voters are inclined to support Proposition 50, which was backed by former President Barack Obama. If approved, it would allow progress on a map that would grant five seats to Democrats in the House of Representatives.

New Jersey and Virginia

In New Jersey, there is a close race for governor between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli. The AtlasIntel poll, published on November 1, showed the Democrat with 50.2% of the vote compared to Ciattarelli's 49.3%, with a margin of error of 2%, meaning a statistical tie.

Sherrill has had the support of high-profile Democrats,including Senator Ruben Gallego (Arizona), who led two events on Sunday in the state and called on Latinos to vote for Sherrill. “To all the Latinos who are here today, we are the workers of this country, we are the defenders of this country, we are the community that wants to ensure everyone has the opportunity for the American Dream,” Gallego said at the event held in Hudson County. “Get out and vote for the future of your children, the future of the country. This country will not be safe if the Latino community is not safe, please.” New Jersey is also holding elections for the General Assembly. Virginia will vote for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates. The state will make history, as it could have its first female governor. The contenders are Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman and former CIA agent.

The race in Virginia is considered a “laboratory” for what could happen in the 2026 midterm elections, as a way to gauge how voters rate President Trump's policies.

Republicans have a significant stake in the race, since if Earle-Sears wins, it would help the legal team of her party colleague, Governor Glenn Youngkin, who might even seek to run for president.

The candidates for lieutenant governor are Democrat Ghazala F. Hashmi and Republican John Reid.

A tally of several polls conducted by Newsweek reveals that Democrat Spanberger leads among voters with 52.2% compared to 43.2% for Republican Earle-Sears.

Other Important contests

There are also elections in Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, and Missouri.

There is a special election for Texas's 18th U.S. District, where there are 16 candidates. If no candidate receives an absolute majority, the two candidates with the most votes will advance to a runoff election. The winner of that runoff will complete former Representative Sylvester Turner's term until January 2027.

There are also elections for state executives, state legislatures, state election referendums, state judiciary, municipal government, mayors, school boards, local judiciary, local election referendums, and recall elections.

In Michigan, there are mayoral elections in Detroit, Dearborn, Hamtramck, Taylor, Southfield, Pontiac, and New Baltimore; as well as for the city council and municipal governance proposals.

What time do the polling places open?

Arizona: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.Connecticut: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.Illinois: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.Indiana: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Kentucky:Louisiana: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Maine: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Some may close earlier. Missouri: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. New Jersey: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. New York: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Virginia: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.