WELCOME TO ELECTION DAY! Several states and localities are holding races Tuesday, including for marquee legislative and gubernatorial offices.
Here are four things to watch tonight:
1️⃣ Control of the Virginia legislature
Democrats have a narrow majority in the state Senate, while Republicans have a narrow majority in the House of Delegates. Forecasting site CNalysis rates both chambers “lean Democratic.”
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Virginia is the only southern state that hasn’t tightened abortion restrictions in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade last year.
- Virginia Republicans, with the support of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, have tried to further restrict abortion, but Democrats in the legislature have blocked the effort.
- Some other policy areas that could be affected by the election: Guns, education and crime.
Read more: 5 key races to watch in Virginia’s Statehouse elections
2️⃣ Ohio’s constitutional amendment on abortion
Voters will decide whether to amend the Ohio Constitution to include abortion protections through fetal viability. The election comes as the conservative-majority Ohio Supreme Court weighs a more restrictive policy in the state. Read more: Abortion is on the ballot in Tuesday’s key elections
3️⃣ Beshear-Cameron battle in Kentucky
Kentucky’s popular Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, is expected to have a competitive election against Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R).
Democrats have framed Cameron as divisive and extreme, including on the issue of abortion. Republicans have sought to tie Beshear to President Biden and criticized him for vetoing legislation restricting gender-affirming care and sports participation for some transgender people.
AP: In the Kentucky governor’s race, the gun policy debate is both personal and political
4️⃣ Mississippi gubernatorial race
Democrat Brandon Presley is hoping for an upset against incumbent Tate Reeves (R) in this deep red state.
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From The Hill’s Julia Mueller: “Presley has sought to stress the state’s welfare scandal, which centers on the misuse of funds in the state. Reeves has been name-checked in the matter but has not been charged with any wrongdoing.”
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Reeves, for his part, has the endorsement of former President Trump, who’s sought to tie Presley to Biden.
AP: Mississippi voters will decide between a first-term GOP governor and a Democrat related to Elvis
⏱ Here’s when polls close tonight