Governors, mayors and congressmen: Everything that is at stake on Election Day

This Tuesday, voters will elect the governors of Kentucky and Mississippi. They will decide which party leads the Virginia and New Jersey legislatures. Cities like Houston or Philadelphia will elect their next mayor. This is a preview of what the results may be in the 2024 presidential elections.

These votes are especially important for members of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party who will be paying attention to the key issues as Americans exercise their right to vote.

Governor of Kentucky and Mississippi

Democratic leader Andy Beshear (who is seeking re-election) is running against Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron for the governorship of Kentucky. Beshear's campaign supports policies such as public education and health care. Cameron is inclined to promote issues related to public safety and oppose issues such as gender ideology.

In Mississippi, Republican Governor Tate Reeves is running against Democrat Brandon Presley, who is a member of the Mississippi Public Services Commission. Mississippi has not elected a Democratic governor since 1999 so Presley's election would end many years of Republican rule.

Reeves was first elected in 2019 with 52% of the vote. Voters will also elect congressmen for the state House and Senate.

Virginia and New Jersey

Voters will have to decide whether to support Democrats in Virginia, who are hoping to keep or even expand their number of Senate seats (22-18 against the Republicans). People will have to choose whether they want to keep a Republican majority in the House (where the GOP has a slight lead of 52-48).

New Jersey voters must also choose which party leads their state legislature. New Jersey is currently controlled by Democrats. Therefore, Republicans (who have been steadily gaining some seats since 2021) are fighting for more seats in the House and Senate.

Abortion and legalization of marijuana in Ohio

Ohio will vote on two controversial issues this Tuesday. One of them is whether the state will legalize marijuana for recreational use (expanding beyond medicinal purposes). If passed, the state will legalize cannabis for people over the age of 21, regulate the drug and tax purchases.

Voters must also decide whether to support a measure that would make abortion legal in the state (this is part of the state Constitution but was voided after Row v. Wade was overturned). An existing law — allowing abortion with a six-week limit, and signed by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine — will be void if voters vote against this issue.

Mayoral elections

Houston and Philadelphia will elect their next mayors. Former council members Cherelle Parker (Democrat) and David Oh (Republican) are facing off to lead the city of Philadelphia.

In Houston, 17 candidates are vying to fill Republican Sylvester Turner's (term-limited) seat. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee and State Senator John Whitmire (both Democrats) are the current favorites.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Pennsylvania Democrats have a 4-2 majority in the state's supreme court. Voters will decide who will fill the vacant position this Tuesday. The candidates are Republican Carolyn Carluccio and Democrat Daniel McCaffery. The results of this election will not have a major effect on the court's progressive tendency as Democrats will still have the majority.