As polls open across the country Tuesday, voters are heading to the ballot box for one of the most consequential election nights before the 2026 midterms. Key races include governor’s contests in Virginia and Kentucky, the New York City mayoral election, and several high-stakes redistricting battles that could reshape political maps for years to come.

In Virginia, voters will choose a new governor to succeed Republican Glenn Youngkin, whose term is ending. The race has drawn national attention as a test of both parties’ messages heading into 2026. Democrats have rallied around former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, emphasizing abortion rights and education funding, while Republicans are backing businessman Pete Snyder, who’s leaned heavily on tax cuts and parental choice in schools. With both sides energized, turnout is expected to be high, particularly in Northern Virginia and the Richmond suburbs.

In Kentucky, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear faces a tough reelection fight against state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican and rising star in the GOP who gained national attention during the Breonna Taylor case. The race is being closely watched as a barometer of how voters are responding to economic issues and public safety concerns in Southern states with split political identities.

Meanwhile, the New York City mayoral race has captured headlines nationwide. Mayor Eric Adams is seeking reelection amid challenges over crime, housing affordability, and the city’s migrant crisis. His top challengers include City Comptroller Brad Lander, who’s running on progressive reforms, and former NYPD official Kathy Wylde, promising a return to public safety and economic balance. The outcome could signal whether New York voters want continuity or a new direction for the nation’s largest city.

Beyond individual races, redistricting is playing a major role across several states, including Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas, where new congressional maps are being tested for the first time. Civil rights groups argue that some of the boundaries dilute the voting power of Black and Latino communities, while state lawmakers defend them as legally compliant. Court challenges are likely to follow regardless of the results.

For Black voters, Tuesday’s elections hold added significance. In states like Virginia and Kentucky, voter turnout among African Americans could prove decisive. National organizations, from the NAACP to When We All Vote, founded by Michelle Obama, have launched get-out-the-vote efforts aimed at boosting participation and ensuring ballot access amid ongoing legislative changes.

Polls begin closing at 7 p.m. Eastern, starting with Virginia, followed by Kentucky, New York, and several municipal elections across the Midwest. Results are expected to provide early clues about voter sentiment heading into the next national cycle, and which issues will define the fight for control of Congress in 2026.