The big races that the country is watching are happening in Virginia and New Jersey. These are hotly contested elections with a lot of money being thrown around. Virginia especially is seen as a kind of early test of the Trump/GOP hopes for 2018.

Headliners

Virginia

If you’re in Virginia you’re voting for Governor and the House of Delegates. These elections will determine both how Virginia responds to the Trump Presidency but also how redistricting happens after the 2020 census. The top-of-the-ticket features Lt Governor Ralph Northam (D) running against one of the architects of the GOP’s “Red Map” gerrymandering strategy, Ed Gillespie (R).

New Jersey

If you’re in New Jersey you’re voting for Governor, the General Assembly, and the state Senate. With Chris Christie term-limited, the top-of-the-ticket features Lt. Gov Kimberly Guadagno (R) running against former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Phil Murphy (D). The election is shaping up to be a referendum on the scandal-plagued administration of Chris Christie but also on the Presidency of Donald J. Trump.

Special Elections

Utah 3rd

The retirement of Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz this summer opened up the 3rd district’s seat for a special election. Republican John Curtis is strongly favored to win this race, leading Democrat Kathie Allen by around 30 points in district polling.

Washington 45th

The Washington 45th legislative district has a special election to fill the seat held by State Senator Dino Rossi (R). Either Jinyoung Englund (R) or Manka Dhingra (D) will fill the seat to break a partisan tie in the Washington State Senate.

Get out there and vote!

Most of the time you can only tell government what you think by writing to them. On election day you can make a more vocal statement by casting a ballot. To find your polling place, text polls to 50409 or click here and type polls to activate Resistbot on Facebook Messenger.