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The features Republican state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli against Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill.

The off-year elections are key tests for Democratic Party leaders as they try to decide what kinds of candidates, priorities and political messaging might best counter Republican President ’s agenda ahead of the crucial 2026 midterms.

The races, to that end, have spotlighted affordability and cost-of-living issues as well as ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party, says Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

“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.

On Saturday morning, a steady stream of voters turned out at an early voting site at Creedmoor, a psychiatric hospital in the New York City borough of Queens where Mamdani lives and Cuomo was born and raised.

Deepa Paulus, a 28-year-old artist, was among a number of younger voters who cast their ballot for Mamdani, citing his pledge to tackle housing and other affordability issues in the high-cost city.

“He has a lot of really good ideas for the future of New York, and I feel very hopeful when I hear him talking,� the registered Democrat said. “I know it’s hard to actually implement changes like that, but I’m excited to see what he does.�

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has electrified liberal voters who are drawn to his proposals such as universal, free child care, free buses, and a rent freeze for New Yorkers living in about 1 million rent-regulated apartments.

However Alix Mondesir, a 67-year-old retired lawyer, said he voted for Cuomo even as he conceded that the “idealism of Mamdani spoke to my heart directly."

“The bottom line is we can’t go on hopes. We have to go on someone that shows that they can handle the budget, that they’ve been in the fire and that they’ve survived,� the registered Democrat said. “I don’t want a guy learning on the job. I want a guy with a proven track record.�

Cuomo has portrayed Mamdani's policies as naive and financially irresponsible. He has appealed to voters to pick him because of his experience as the state's governor, a position he gave up in 2021 after multiple women accused him of .

Cuomo has also assailed Mamdani, who would be the city's first Muslim mayor, over his criticism of Israel.

Mamdani, who has weathered during the contest, says Israel’s war in Gaza amounts to . Cuomo and Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels public safety patrol group, equate Mamdani's position with .

The New Jersey gubernatorial candidates, in their earlier this month, sparred over the federal government shutdown, Sherrill’s military records, Trump's policies and the high cost of living in the state. The winner would succeed Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, who is term-limited.

New York has allowed early voting since 2019, and it has become relatively popular. In June’s mayoral primary, about 35% of the ballots were cast early and in person, according to the city’s . New Jersey adopted early voting in 2021.

Early voting is also underway in other states.

In Virginia, voters began casting early ballots on Sept. 19. The state's closely-watched governor's race pits former U.S. Rep. , a Democrat, and Republican Lt. Gov. .

One of those candidates will become Virginia's first female governor. During a debate earlier this month, they clashed over cultural issues such as the in sports and school bathrooms.

Early voting runs through Nov. 1 in Virginia and Nov. 2 in New York City and New Jersey. Polling sites in all three states will then open widely for Election Day on Nov. 4.

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