Westchester voters cast ballots as national governor races loom

Polling places in Westchester County, including those in Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, and White Plains, opened at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Voters in the county are casting ballots for the New York governorship, a race with no incumbent, as well as for every U.S. House seat in the state. According to Ballotpedia, New York polls will remain open until 9 p.m., and anyone in line by that time is entitled to vote. The state has no U.S. Senate election on the ballot this cycle, so the focus for local voters is on the governor, the House, and various state and local offices.

Beyond New York, voters across the nation are deciding who will control Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are up for grabs. According to the Associated Press, this election is viewed as a referendum on the president's performance, with voters grappling with high prices and an unpopular war with Iran. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states.

In the House, Republicans currently hold 218 seats and Democrats hold 214, with one independent. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to take the majority, while Republicans can afford to lose no more than two. Ballotpedia identifies 46 battleground districts, with 25 held by Democrats and 21 by Republicans. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with the minority. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to secure a majority, a task made difficult by the fact that Republicans can lose only two seats to maintain control.

The governor's office is also a major focus, with 36 races on the ballot. Republicans currently hold 26 governorships and Democrats hold 24. According to Ballotpedia, 19 of these races have no incumbent, as many governors are term-limited or chose not to run. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a feat they have not accomplished since 2010. The Associated Press notes that Democrats are hoping to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades.

Among the named governor races, Georgia voters are choosing between Republican health care executive Rick Jackson and Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to succeed Brian Kemp. In Nevada, Republican Governor Joe Lombardo faces Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is running against Democrat Amy Acton, a race where Ramaswamy's campaign faced backlash over an advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother. According to the Associated Press, Texas, Florida, and Iowa are also competitive governor races.

Other notable governor races include Pennsylvania, where Republican Josh Shapiro is seeking re-election, and Michigan, where Democrats are defending the seat. In Arizona, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs is on the ballot. In Wisconsin, the race is open as Governor Tony Evers chose not to run. In Kansas, the governorship is also up for grabs, with the state becoming a central battleground for Senate control as well. In New Hampshire, Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte is running, while in Vermont, Republican Governor Phil Scott is defending the seat in a state where polls open between 5 and 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

The mood in the country is tense, with the Associated Press reporting that about 7 in 10 adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Only 35% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while 25% approve of his handling of the economy. Republicans are bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate, with the Associated Press noting that one or two seats could tip either chamber. Democrats are described as cautiously optimistic, with DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene stating that the American people are angry and want change.

Financial stakes are high, as the 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees have outraised and outspent Democratic committees, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats have outraised their opponents. According to an AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024, including more than $850 million in areas where he won by 10 points or more.

Election administration has also been a point of contention. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan it says would prevent noncitizen voting. Critics argue this risks disenfranchising eligible voters. The U.S. Postal Service has added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. Wall Street is watching the results closely, as Reuters notes that the outcome could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations.

For Westchester County residents, the day begins with local decisions but carries national implications. Whether the outcome leads to Democratic control of one chamber or a Republican hold will shape the legislative agenda for the next two years. If Democrats win, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker. The results will also impact potential 2028 candidates, including Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg. As polls close at 9 p.m., the nation awaits the first returns from key states.