With Election Day fast approaching on November 4, voters across the country are navigating competitive races that could reshape local and state leadership. Early voting has already begun in several states, and while the headlines often focus on national issues, the most immediate changes will come from local ballots. In New York City, Texas, New Jersey, and Virginia, voters are preparing to make critical choices that will shape policy, representation, and the political tone heading into 2026. 

But before we get to the specifics, a few reminders:

To check your voter registration status, find your polling place, or request a mail-in ballot on your state's election website or through national voter tools like Vote411. Make sure to bring a valid ID to the polls if your state requires it. If you run into any problems voting, there are multilingual hotlines available to help, such as 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  Even though 2025 isn’t a presidential election year, many significant races and ballot questions can shape policies and communities.

New York City: Mamdani Holds Lead as the Race Tightens

According to a CBS New York poll conducted by AARP and Gotham Polling, Democrat Zohran Mamdani remains the front-runner in the New York City mayoral race with 43%support. Independent and former New York governor Andrew Cuomo follows at 29%, while Republican Curtis Sliwa trails with 19%.

However, the race could narrow significantly if Sliwa exits. In a two-way matchup, Mamdani leads Cuomo by only four points, which is within the poll’s margin of error. Still, Sliwa insists he’s staying in, telling reporters, “One person, one vote. That’s how we determine elections.”

Mamdani, a state assemblyman from Queens known for his progressive platform, has gained momentum among young voters and working families who see him as a break from establishment politics. If he wins, he would become the first Muslim American to serve as mayor of New York City.

In Houston, voters are preparing for a special election to fill the seat once held by the late Rep. Sylvester Turner. As reported by the Texas Tribune, the race for Texas’ 18th Congressional District has drawn 16 candidates, many of them young Black leaders inspired by the district’s legacy of figures such as Barbara Jordan and Sheila Jackson Lee.

Confusion has clouded the election due to a redistricting effort that altered boundaries mid-decade, leaving voters unsure about eligibility and ballot details. Candidates like Amanda Edwards, Christian Menefee, and Jolanda Jones have spent weeks educating residents on how and where to vote while competing in a crowded field expected to end in a runoff early next year.

“This race is about representation and clarity,” Edwards told the Texas Tribune. “People deserve to know who is asking for their vote and why it matters.”

In Virginia, the governor’s race between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is somewhat competitive, according to WAMU. Economic uncertainty, the federal workforce, and education policy dominate the conversation. Spanberger has centered her campaign on affordability and job stability, while Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor, has emphasized social issues — including restrictions on transgender students in schools — and said that firing someone for being gay is “not discrimination.” Spanberger continues to lead in the polls.

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill has positioned herself around affordability and infrastructure investment. She has outlined an “Affordability Agenda” that targets housing costs, energy bills, child care, and health-care expenses.

Her opponent Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman, is running on a contrast message of fiscal restraint and government efficiency. He calls for a review of state operations to eliminate waste and reduce workforce costs. Ciattarelli claims Black men are supporting him.

Polls indicate Sherrill currently holds the lead, but Ciattarelli has narrowed the gap significantly. The race is not only reflecting voter concerns about rising bills and infrastructure gaps, it’s also reflecting deeper questions about which style of governance New Jerseyans prefer in a period of economic anxiety.

From congressional races to the governor’s contest, each vote will shape not only local leadership but also the nation’s political direction in the year ahead.