Journalism of Courage
Early in-person voting has begun in New York City and New Jersey, marking the start of two closely watched elections in the United States, The Associated Press (AP) reported.
Voters in New York City are choosing between Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an Independent.
While Mayor Eric Adams remains on the ballot, he ended his re-election campaign last month. He has since endorsed Cuomo.
New Jersey voters are deciding between Republican state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and Democratic US Representative Mikie Sherrill.
The winner will succeed Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who is term-limited.
The contests are viewed as early signals for Democrats as they think about how to challenge US President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Ashley Koning, who leads the Eagleton Centre for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University, said the two races show different strategies within the 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, according to AP.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is campaigning for universal free child care, free buses and a rent freeze in about one million rent-regulated homes. Cuomo says the ideas are not practical and argues he has the experience needed to run the city.
Cuomo left office in 2021 after multiple allegations of sexual harassment. He and Sliwa have also strongly criticised Mamdani’s comments on Israel and Gaza, accusing him of antisemitism. Mamdani says Israel’s military actions amount to genocide and he has faced anti-Muslim remarks during the campaign.
New York has allowed early voting since 2019. About 35% of ballots in the city’s June mayoral primary were cast early and in person, the AP reported. New Jersey adopted early voting in 2021.
Early voting is also underway in Virginia, where Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears are competing for the governor’s post. One of them will become the first woman to lead the state.
Early voting ends on November 1 in Virginia and November 2 in New York and New Jersey. All three states hold Election Day on November 4, AP reported.
