The electoral landscape of the United States is buzzing with anticipation as polling stations open their doors for two of the most keenly observed elections of the year.
The spotlight is on the race for the mayoral seat in New York City and the gubernatorial contest in New Jersey, both of which have garnered significant attention.
According to The Washington Times, the New York mayoral race sees Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, vying for the coveted position. The incumbent mayor, Eric Adams, although listed on the ballot, withdrew from the race last month, extending his support to Cuomo.
The New Jersey gubernatorial race, on the other hand, is a face-off between Republican state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill. The outcomes of these off-year elections could potentially serve as indicators for Democratic Party leaders, guiding their selection of candidates to counter the agenda of Republican President Donald Trump.
Early voting, a practice New York has permitted since 2019, has gained considerable traction. The city's campaign finance board reports that approximately 35% of the votes in June's mayoral primary were cast early and in person. New Jersey, following suit, adopted early voting this year.
Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University in New Jersey, noted that these races have highlighted affordability and cost of living issues, as well as ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party. "New York City pits the progressive wing against the establishment old guard in Mamdani versus Cuomo, while New Jersey is banking on moderate candidate Mikie Sherrill to appeal to its broad middle," she said.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has sparked enthusiasm among liberal voters with his proposals for universal, free child care, free buses, and a rent freeze for New Yorkers living in about 1 million rent-regulated apartments. Cuomo, on the other hand, has criticized Mamdani's policies as naive and financially irresponsible, urging voters to choose him based on his experience as the state's governor.
The former governor, who resigned in 2021 following accusations of sexual harassment from multiple women, has also attacked Mamdani over his criticism of Israel. Mamdani, who could potentially become the city's first Muslim mayor, has faced anti-Muslim rhetoric during the campaign and has accused Israel's military actions in Gaza of amounting to genocide. Both Cuomo and Sliwa equate Mamdani's stance with antisemitism.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the gubernatorial candidates sparred over issues such as the federal government shutdown, Sherrill's military records, Trump's policies, and the state's high cost of living in their final debate earlier this month. The victor will succeed Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, who is term-limited.
Early voting is also in progress in other states, including Virginia, where voters have been casting early ballots since Sept. 19. The state's governor's race is a contest between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, one of whom will become Virginia's first female governor.
The early voting period will continue until November 1 in Virginia and November 2 in New York City and New Jersey. Following this, polling sites in all three states will open extensively for Election Day on November 4, marking another significant day in the nation's political calendar.
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