Election Day: High-Profile Races, Early Returns

Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, features high-profile statewide contests and hundreds of local races across the U.S. Virginia’s governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 House of Delegates seats have drawn national attention — the gubernatorial contest between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle‑Sears is a focal point and the attorney general race has been clouded by controversy over candidate text messages. Other high-stakes contests include New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, the New York City mayoral race and a Texas special election on 17 proposed constitutional amendments. California officials reported roughly six million early ballots — about 26% of registered voters — and warned that fewer vote centers could create lines on Election Day. Colorado jurisdictions reported mixed early turnout, with Routt County receiving 5,286 ballots of about 20,417 active voters and El Paso County expecting overall turnout in the low 30s after roughly 100,000 ballots (~20%) were returned. Residents are also deciding municipal and school-board contests and bond measures in places such as New Jersey’s Middletown and Woodbridge, Tolland, Conn., and St. Anthony, Idaho, where campaigns focused on education, growth management, public safety and fiscal accountability.