NEW YORK (PIX11) — Voters across New York and New Jersey headed to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballot in the midterm elections.
Dozens of candidates are working to represent New York and New Jersey residents in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
But there are some local elections that will also have an impact on voters’ lives, notably the battle between incumbent Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Rep. Lee Zeldin, who are vying to be the next governor of New York.
Below you’ll find voter resources for both states as well as information on key races to watch.
Voting 101: What you need to know on Election Day
Voters can cast their ballot in New York when polls open at 6 a.m. on Nov. 8. Polls close at 9 p.m.
If you’re not sure whether you’re registered to vote, New York residents can check their registration status here. You can find your polling site here if you live in New York City or here if you live in other parts of New York.
In New Jersey, polls open at 6 a.m. Voters have until 8 p.m. to cast their ballots.
Residents in New Jersey can check their polling location here. They can head here to check their registration status.
Early voting in NY, NJ
Early voting in New York and New Jersey runs from Oct. 29 until Nov. 6. Hours for in-person early voting in New Jersey will be Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
There’s a wide range of hours for early voting in New York.
- Oct. 29-30: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Oct. 31: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Nov. 1-2: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Nov. 3: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Nov. 4: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Nov. 5-6: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Election Day hours in NY and NJ
Ballot questions in NY, NJ
- Should the Environmental Bond Act of 2022 — which would allow the state to sell up to $4.2 billion in bonds to fund environmental protection, natural restoration, resiliency, and clean energy projects — pass?
- Should New York City add a preamble to its charter declaring its aspiration to be “a just and equitable city for all” striving to remedy “past and continuing harms and to reconstruct, revise, and reimagine our foundations, structures, institutions, and laws to promote justice and equity for all New Yorkers”?
- Should New York City establish an Office of Racial Equity, require a citywide Racial Equity Plan every two years, and create a Commission on Racial Equity?
- Should New York City be required to measure and track the “true cost of living” for necessary expenses like food, housing, and childcare, without factoring in financial assistance?
- Should Trenton expand its city Board of Education from seven members to nine, make the seats elected — as opposed to appointed by the mayor — and require a ballot measure to approve bonding for future capital projects?
The race for governor of New York State
Kathy Hochul
Hochul is the first woman to serve as governor of New York. The Democrat took on leadership of the state after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation.
Hochul, who was Cuomo’s lieutenant governor for six years, began leading New York when the state was in the midst of the COVID pandemic. A short time after she was sworn in, the remnants of Hurricane Ida battered New York and Hochul jumped to aid with recovery.
Since then, crime has been a major issue and focus on the campaign trail. Bail reform laws were tweaked amid criticism. Restrictions around guns were signed into law after a deadly Buffalo supermarket shooting and the Supreme Court overturned historical rules around firearms in New York. Hochul also worked with Mayor Eric Adams to increase cops and cameras in New York City’s subway system in the wake of the Brooklyn subway attack that left 10 shot and other crimes.
Outside of crime, abortion has been an area of concern for Hochul. She’s affirmed there will be abortion access in New York for both residents and people coming in from other states.
Hochul has held a strong but narrowing lead over Zeldin in the polls.
WATCH HOCHUL’S FULL INTERVIEW FROM PIX11’S NY RACE FOR GOVERNOR FORUM
Lee Zeldin
Zeldin, a Republican representing parts of Long Island in Congress, has been steadily gaining in the polls with a focus on crime. Still, he faces a tough battle; New York is one of the bluest states in the country. Democrats have more than twice as many registered voters as Republicans and have held the governor’s mansion for more than a decade.
If elected, Zeldin has vowed to roll back liberal criminal justice reforms. He said he would declare a crime emergency in New York on his first day in office. He also wants cashless bail to be repealed. Zeldin supports the repeal of the Less is More parole reform bill signed into law by Hochul along with the repeal of qualified immunity. He also wants to repeal the HALT Act, signed into law by Cuomo, which reformed segregated confinement practices in New York State correctional facilities.
While Zeldin is personally against abortion rights, he’s pledged not to change New York’s laws protecting abortion access.
Zeldin was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
WATCH ZELDIN’S FULL INTERVIEW FROM PIX11’S NY RACE FOR GOVERNOR FORUM
Why NY’s 10th Congressional District is important
New York’s 10th Congressional District has been represented in Congress for years by Rep. Jerry Nadler. After district maps were redrawn earlier this year, Nadler instead faced off in a primary against longtime Rep. Carolyn Maloney in the 12th District, leaving the 10th open for new leadership. The district encompasses Lower Manhattan and northwest Brooklyn.
Former federal prosecutor Daniel Goldman won the Democratic primary, beating out a slew of other candidates. One of his opponents in the primary was U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones, who shifted to the district after the maps were redrawn.
Who is Goldman facing?
Goldman, who served as counsel to House Democrats during the first impeachment attempt against former President Donald Trump, will face off against Republican challenger Benine Hamdan, who advanced from the Republican primary as an unopposed candidate.
Hamdan is the daughter of Lebanese immigrants, according to her campaign site. She’s lived in Brooklyn her entire life.
Hamdan worked as a risk analyst and now works as a partner at an investment firm. She’s also worked as an advocate for mental health intervention, care and treatment.
What’s happening with the NY-12 Congressional District
New York’s 12th Congressional District, currently represented by longtime Rep. Carolyn Maloney, will have a new leader after November’s election. Redistricting pitted Maloney against Nadler. The new maps combined Nadler’s Upper West Side district with Maloney’s Upper East Side district.
Nadler, who currently represents parts of Lower Manhattan and sections of Brooklyn, beat Maloney in the primary.
During his campaign, Nadler stressed the importance of his re-election. He said seniority in Congress brings the clout needed to get bills passed.
“Losing one committee chairman would be unfortunate for New York,” Nadler said. “Losing two committee chairmen would be catastrophic for New York.”
Nadler has been endorsed by U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren.
Who is Nadler facing?
Opposing Nadler will be Republican Michael Zumbluskas and unaffiliated candidate Mike Itkis.
Zumbluskas is a U.S. Army veteran currently working as a resource management analyst for the city Department of Transportation, according to his campaign website. He is also the GOP district leader in New York’s 76th State Assembly District, covering part of Manhattan’s East Side.
Itkis, a native of the former Soviet Union who moved to New York City in 1979, is a major in the U.S. Army Reserve. He has also worked in information technology and financial services, according to his campaign website.
More races to watch in New York
NY-19: New York’s 19th Congressional district, spanning from the Hudson Valley westward across the state, may serve an early indication of which party will control the House of Representatives.
NY-3: The battle for New York’s 3rd Congressional District begins with the decision by Democrat Tom Suozzi not to seek reelection after an unsuccessful bid to become New York governor.
Instead, voters will choose between a Republican challenger who ran two years ago and a longtime activist and voice in Democratic politics. Regardless of who wins, history is being made in this race.
NY-11: The 11th Congressional District has gone back and forth between Democratic and Republican control over the last few election cycles.
In 2022, a freshman Republican congresswoman tries to hold onto her seat against the Democrat she beat two years ago.
Key New Jersey races to watch
NJ-7
In what’s expected to be the tightest race this year in the Garden State, two-term Rep. Tom Malinowski, a Democrat, is matching up against Republican State Sen. Tom Kean Jr.
Malinowski previously defeated Kean, the son of a former two-term governor, in 2020.
In debates and campaign stops, Kean has characterized Malinowski as a Washington insider, while Malinowski has accused Kean of inaction against the rising cost of living in the state and trying to dodge scrutiny over conservative stances on issues including abortion.
NJ-5
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer is seeking to defeat Republican challenger Frank Pallotta and hold onto what was once a reliably red district.
NJ-6
Longtime incumbent Rep. Frank Pallone, a Democrat, is looking for another term, this time opposed by GOP nominee Susan Kiley.
NJ-8
With current Rep. Albio Sires, a Democrat, opting not to seek re-election, Robert Menendez Jr., the son of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, will attempt to keep the district blue in the face of a challenge from Republican hopeful Marcos Arroyo.
NJ-9
Republican challenger Billy Prempeh has a tough task ahead of him, attempting to oust sitting Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell in this longtime blue stronghold.
NJ-10
Democratic Rep. Donald Payne Jr., first elected in 2012 to succeed his father, looks to fend off GOP opponent David Pinckney.
NJ-11
Military veteran and sitting Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill is seeking to hold onto the district against Republican Paul DeGroot, a longtime prosecutor.
Around the U.S., here are the races to watch for
In what could be a make-or-break election slate for President Joe Biden’s legislative aspirations, Democrats will look to maintain the hold they’ve had on both chambers of Congress for the last two years, while Republicans will aim to level the playing field.
Campaigning nationally on issues including the economy and the state of the country’s southern border, GOP leaders are bullish on their prospects of at least capturing the House of Representatives, with the Senate seen as more of a toss-up.
Democrats, meanwhile, are playing defense by focusing on topics like abortion and gun violence.
Pennsylvania elections: Oz vs. Fetterman
Former TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Republican candidate, is battling for a Senate seat against Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, whose candidacy has faced scrutiny as he continues to recover from a stroke.
Texas elections: O’Rourke vs. Abbott
This gubernatorial race between Republican incumbent Greg Abbott and former Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke has been dominated by the issues of border security and, in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting, gun laws.
Georgia elections: Warnock vs Walker
In a race that could decide control of the Senate, Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock is seeking to hold off hard-charging former football star Herschel Walker, an ally of former President Donald Trump.
Problems at the polls?
If you have problems on Election Day, email wpixnewsdesk@pix11.com to reach the PIX11 News Team or call NY AG’s office at (866) 390-2992 to report polling issues or intimidation at the polls.
