Don’t Forget to Vote: Election Day Is Right Around the Corner
On Nov. 4, Americans will participate in a slate of state and local elections that, while not on the scale of a presidential election, still carry major implications for the country’s political direction.
The spotlight will center on two closely watched gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. Beyond those contests, voters will decide on state legislative seats, mayoral races, and local ballot initiatives. Special elections may also fill a few U.S. House vacancies. While Election Day isn’t a federal holiday, several states provide time off for voting or recognize it as a civic holiday. Polls typically open early and close in the evening, with early and absentee voting options widely available.
Vote.gov, the National Association of Secretaries of State, and Nonprofit VOTE are nonpartisan resources that may be useful to you as you make plans to vote.
Though 2025 is considered an off-year, these elections will help determine control of key state governments and will preview the political landscape heading into the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race — proving that every election year matters.