American voters will head to the polls for key off-year elections, including races for New York mayor and Virginia governor, along with several local contests and ballot measures.
The results will offer an early gauge of voter sentiment less than a year into President Donald Trump’s second term.
Mayoral elections
This year’s key mayoral races are taking place in New York City, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Detroit.
In New York City, all eyes are on
Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist widely expected to become the next mayor after his surprise primary victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, now running as an independent, remains his main challenger but is trailing significantly in polls. Mamdani’s rise has already made him a prominent national figure and a flashpoint in the broader debate between progressives and conservatives.
In Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey faces a strong challenge from democratic socialist Omar Fateh. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, a moderate, is being challenged by progressive community organizer Katie Wilson. Meanwhile, in Detroit, front-runners Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch Jr. are both competing to position themselves as the leading progressive in the race.
Governor elections
Two states will elect governors this year, but both races are drawing significant attention.
The spotlight is on Virginia, where Republican governor Glenn Youngkin is term-limited. The contest to succeed him features Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former US representative, and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor.
The second gubernatorial race would be in New Jersey, where Democratic Rep Mikie Sherrill is aiming to keep the governor’s office in her party’s hands as Phil Murphy reaches his term limit. Her opponent is Republican state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli. While polls currently favor Sherrill, an upset by Ciattarelli remains possible.
Key dates:New York City: Mayor, Comptroller, City Council- US date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025,
- US time: Polls open 6am – 9pm EST
- IST equivalent: 4.30pm (Nov 4) – 7.30am (Nov 5, 2025)
- Early voting: 25 October – 2 November 2025 → 6:.0pm (25 Oct) – 2.30am (Nov 3, 2025)
- Results expected: Unofficial tallies begin around 9.30–10.30pm EST (8am–9am IST on Nov 5); certification follows within a week
California: Ballot measures- US date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 7am – 8pm PST
- IST equivalent: 8.30pm (Nov 4) – 9.30am (Nov 5, 2025)
- Results expected: 11pm PST (12.30pm IST on Nov 5) as mail-in ballots begin counting.
Mississippi: State House of Representatives (5 special seats)- US date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 7am – 7pm CST
- IST equivalent: 6.30pm (Nov 4) – 6.30am (5 Nov 2025)
- Results expected: 9pm CST (8.30am IST on Nov 5)
Georgia: Public Service Commission (Districts 2 & 3)- US date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 7am – 7pm EST
- IST equivalent: 5.30pm (Nov 4) – 5.30am (Nov 5, 2025)
- Results expected: 10pm EST (8.30am IST on Nov 5)
Texas: 18th Congressional District Special Election- US date: Tuesday, 4 November 2025, 7 AM – 7 PM CST
- IST equivalent: 6.30pm (Nov 4) – 6.30am (Nov 5, 2025)
- Results expected: 10 PM CST (8:30 AM IST on Nov 5).
Tennessee: 7th Congressional District Special Election- US date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 7am – 7pm CST
- IST equivalent: 6.30pm (Dec 2) – 6.30am (Dec 3, 2025)
- Results expected: 9pm CST (8.30am IST on Dec 3)
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