Early Voting Begins in NYC Mayor and NJ Governor Races/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Early voting kicked off Saturday in New York City’s mayoral race and New Jersey’s gubernatorial contest. The elections reflect key ideological battles within the Democratic Party and broader national political trends. Cost of living, public safety, and foreign policy issues have taken center stage in both states.
Early Voting Begins in NYC Mayor and NJ Governor Races — Quick Looks
- Polls opened October 25 for early voting in NYC and NJ.
- NYC mayoral candidates: Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa; Adams exited race.
- NJ gubernatorial race: Ciattarelli (R) vs. Sherrill (D).
- Democrats face internal divisions in both contests.
- NYC race includes sharp rhetoric on Israel and Gaza.
- Cuomo rebounded from scandal to run as an independent.
- Mamdani’s progressive agenda draws support from left-wing voters.
- Early voting ends Nov. 2; Election Day is Nov. 4.
Deep Look
Early Voting Opens in NYC and NJ as Pivotal 2025 Races Take Shape
Early in-person voting began Saturday across New York City and New Jersey, marking the start of two highly anticipated elections that could signal broader political shifts ahead of the 2026 midterms.
In New York City, voters are choosing among three high-profile candidates: Zohran Mamdani, a progressive Democrat; Republican Curtis Sliwa; and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent. Mayor Eric Adams, who is still on the ballot, officially exited the race last month and endorsed Cuomo shortly after.
Meanwhile, across the Hudson River, New Jersey’s gubernatorial race pits Republican state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli against Democratic U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill. The outcome will determine who succeeds current Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who is barred from seeking re-election due to term limits.
The 2025 off-year elections in these two neighboring states are drawing national attention, not just for their individual stakes, but for what they reveal about voter sentiment in a polarized political landscape.
New York’s mayoral contest is particularly notable for exposing divisions within the Democratic Party. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has galvanized progressive voters with promises of free childcare, a rent freeze affecting over 1 million New Yorkers in regulated apartments, and fare-free buses across the city.
His platform has drawn sharp criticism from Cuomo, who has framed Mamdani’s proposals as economically unrealistic. Cuomo has leaned heavily on his previous executive experience, emphasizing his ability to govern and make pragmatic decisions under pressure.
Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 amid multiple allegations of sexual harassment, but has reemerged as a political contender with backing from more centrist Democrats, including outgoing mayor Eric Adams.
The campaign has not been without controversy. Mamdani, who would be the city’s first Muslim mayor, has been targeted with anti-Muslim rhetoric amid ongoing tensions over the conflict in Gaza. Mamdani has called Israel’s actions “genocide,” a position that has drawn fire from both Cuomo and Sliwa, who accuse him of antisemitism. Mamdani maintains that his criticism is directed at state policy, not at any religious group.
Political experts say the NYC race reflects a broader struggle between establishment Democrats and a growing progressive base.
“New York City pits the progressive wing against the establishment old guard in Mamdani versus Cuomo,” said Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University.
In New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill is seen as a moderate Democrat aiming to hold the center. A former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, she has focused on affordability, government transparency, and defending reproductive rights.
Jack Ciattarelli, her Republican challenger, has leaned into criticisms of federal overreach, high taxes, and economic mismanagement, themes closely aligned with former President Donald Trump’s messaging. Though not officially campaigning together, Trump has publicly endorsed Ciattarelli and praised his approach to energy policy.
Their final debate earlier this month touched on the high cost of living, the recent federal government shutdown, and differing views on Trump-era policies. Both candidates also exchanged words over Sherrill’s military record.
Elsewhere, early voting is also underway in Virginia, where voters will decide between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears in another hotly contested gubernatorial race. One of them will become Virginia’s first female governor.
Like their counterparts in New York and New Jersey, Spanberger and Earle-Sears have clashed over major cultural issues, including transgender rights in schools and public sports.
Early voting continues through November 2 in both New York City and New Jersey. In Virginia, it runs until November 1. All three states will open polls for traditional in-person voting on Election Day, November 4.
As political observers watch turnout trends and voter behavior, the results from these three key states may offer valuable insights into the future direction of both major parties and how the American electorate is responding to rising economic pressure and intensifying social debates.
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