Augusta, Maine

Several marquee 2026 races are drawing national attention. In New Hampshire, Republican John E. Sununu is seeking a comeback against Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas for the Senate seat Jeanne Shaheen is vacating. In Maine, Sen. Susan Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson in a contest shaped by affordability concerns and views of President Trump's policies. New York voters are deciding a combative governor's race between Kathy Hochul and Bruce Blakeman, a competitive House race between Rep. Mike Lawler and challenger Cait Conley, and ballot measures tied to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's housing agenda. The Justice Department is deploying nearly 1,000 election monitors nationwide, up from past cycles.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat viewed as a potential future presidential contender, is seeking a second term in a rematch against Republican former state legislator Dan Cox, whom he defeated decisively four years ago. The race is one of several contests being watched nationally on Election Day, alongside Maine's Senate race between incumbent Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson, which has centered on affordability and reaction to President Trump's policies, and New York's combative governor's race between Kathy Hochul and Bruce Blakeman.

The Justice Department is deploying nearly 1,000 election monitors nationwide, up from past cycles, as voters also decide competitive House races and New York City ballot measures tied to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's housing agenda.

Voters across several states cast ballots in 2026 races. In Hawaii, Democratic Gov. Josh Green, who led the state through the 2023 Maui wildfires, is heavily favored to win reelection over Republican businessman Gary Cordery in a historically Democratic state. In Maine, Sen. Susan Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson in a race shaped by affordability concerns and views of President Trump's policies. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul faces Republican Bruce Blakeman, and Rep. Mike Lawler faces challenger Cait Conley in a competitive House district. New York City voters are also deciding ballot measures tied to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's housing agenda. The Justice Department is deploying nearly 1,000 election monitors nationwide, up from past elections.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, is seeking a third consecutive term, a feat achieved only once before in the state. His Republican challenger, state Sen. Ryan Fazio of Greenwich, faces steep odds in a state where no Republican has won statewide office in two decades. The race is part of a broader Election Day that includes competitive contests in Maine, New York, and elsewhere, with the Justice Department deploying nearly 1,000 election monitors and observers nationwide, an expansion from roughly 600 in past cycles, though still a small fraction of the country's polling places.

Related races include Maine's Senate contest, where incumbent Susan Collins faces Troy Jackson amid voter concerns over affordability and tariffs, and New York's governor race between Kathy Hochul and Bruce Blakeman, alongside House contests and city ballot measures tied to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's housing agenda.

Maine Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Troy Jackson is facing renewed scrutiny over his role in passing 2023 legislation that made Maine the first state to decriminalize selling sex. As Maine Senate president, Jackson voted for the bill, presided over its passage, and signed it before it went to the governor. The law also replaced terms like "prostitute" with "person for prostitution" and "prostituted" throughout state statute.

The measure drew opposition from both sex-worker advocacy groups, who argued for autonomy in the industry, and Maine law enforcement, which cited staffing shortages amid rising overdose deaths, homicides, and crashes. The bill advanced as Maine grappled with a housing shortage, a worsening opioid crisis, record homelessness, and high child food insecurity.

Jackson, who also backed gender-transition policy measures for minors and opposed several girls' sports protection bills, has separately faced scrutiny over workplace conduct allegations, his decades-long relationship with a second cousin, and past tax and assault issues. He won the Democratic nomination in July and will challenge incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.