Voting is underway in two marquee races that could reshape regional politics — New York City’s fiercely contested mayoral election and New Jersey’s gubernatorial showdown.

In New York City, voters are choosing between Democratic Socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, Republican radio host Curtis Sliwa, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is mounting an independent comeback bid. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the race last month amid political turmoil, has since endorsed Cuomo — a move that upended the race’s dynamics in its final weeks.

The contest has taken on added volatility following warnings from Jewish community leaders over Mamdani’s rhetoric toward Israel, which they say risks fueling antisemitic tensions. Hate crimes against Jews remain disproportionately high in New York City, according to recent NYPD statistics.

Across the Hudson, New Jersey voters are casting early ballots in a high-stakes gubernatorial battle between Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill — a matchup that could signal how suburban and working-class voters are recalibrating ahead of 2026.

Early voting — now in its sixth year in New York — has become an entrenched part of the city’s electoral landscape. Roughly 35 percent of voters cast early, in-person ballots during June’s mayoral primary, according to the city’s Campaign Finance Board, and officials expect similar turnout this fall.

Both states’ contests are expected to serve as bellwethers for national political trends — from the Democrats’ internal fractures in New York to the GOP’s suburban comeback hopes in New Jersey — as voters head to the polls ahead of what’s shaping up to be a volatile 2026 midterm cycle.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)