Election Day 2025: What’s on the Ballot, When to Vote, and Why It Matters

Election Day 2025 falls on Tuesday, November 4, the nation’s off-year sprint when a handful of marquee statewide contests collide with hundreds of local races. Voters will pick a governor in two states, choose a mayor in the country’s largest city, weigh state courts and ballot measures, and settle city and county leadership from coast to coast.

Key facts about Election Day 2025

• Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025

• Headliners: Governor races in Virginia and New Jersey; New York City mayor; statewide judicial retention votes in Pennsylvania; plus major city and county offices nationwide

• Voting windows: Early and mail voting vary by state; most in-person polling places are open on Nov. 4 with hours set locally

Early voting and deadlines before Election Day 2025

• Virginia: Early in-person voting for the Nov. 4 general election is underway and runs through Saturday, Nov. 1. The statewide ballot includes Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, the Virginia House of Delegates, and local offices.

• New Jersey: In-person early voting spans Saturday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 2 at designated county sites. The ballot features Governor, the full General Assembly, and additional county/municipal offices.

• New York City: Early voting for the mayoral race runs through Sunday, Nov. 2 at assigned sites.

• Mail ballots: Postmark and return rules differ by state. If you’re voting by mail or drop box, check your local election office for exact deadlines and signature requirements.

Tip: If you moved recently or haven’t voted in a while, confirm your registration status and polling place before heading out. Some states offer same-day registration; others require updates to have been completed earlier in October.

Spotlight races shaping Election Day 2025

Virginia governor election 2025

Voters choose a successor to a term-limited governor, with a history-making matchup on the ballot. The race doubles as a policy referendum on taxes, schools, public safety, and energy, and it will set the tone for the next legislative session. Control of the House of Delegates is also in play, giving this contest outsized stakes for statewide governance.

New Jersey governor election 2025

A high-spending battle caps an intense campaign season focused on affordability, property taxes, and transit. With the General Assembly also on the ballot, the outcome will determine how aggressively the next administration can pursue its agenda in Trenton.

New York City mayor election 2025

America’s largest city picks its next leader amid debates over public safety, housing supply and rents, migrant services, and the city’s fiscal outlook. Borough presidency and council dynamics will shape how quickly any new agenda can move.

State courts, ballot measures, and local power

Retention elections for state supreme courts—most prominently in Pennsylvania—and local judicial contests will influence criminal justice and redistricting fights heading into 2026. Elsewhere, voters will decide high-impact local measures on zoning, policing oversight, transportation, and tax levies that immediately shape daily life.

Election Day 2025: practical voting details

Polling hours (examples):

• Virginia: Many localities operate roughly 6 a.m.–7 p.m. ET (voters in line by closing time can still vote).

• New Jersey & New York City: Typical windows run 6 a.m.–8 p.m. ET and 6 a.m.–9 p.m. ET respectively; confirm your precinct’s exact times.

What to bring:

• ID rules vary. Virginia requires ID (a broad list qualifies). New Jersey and New York generally do not require photo ID for most voters, but first-time voters who registered by mail may be asked for documentation.

• Bring your sample ballot or notes; phones are usually allowed but follow local rules on photography inside polling places.

Accessibility & assistance:

• Curbside voting, accessible machines, and language assistance are widely available. If you need help marking a ballot, you can bring a person of your choice (with limited exceptions) or request bipartisan assistance at the site.

What’s at stake on November 4

• Policy direction: Governor’s offices in Virginia and New Jersey drive budgets, tax policy, school funding, and how federal dollars are deployed.

• Local quality of life: Mayors, councils, and county boards make near-term decisions on housing, safety, transit, and public works.

• Judicial balance: State courts set precedent on election rules, reproductive rights, environmental regulations, and more.

• 2026 signal: Off-year turnout patterns and margins—especially in the Virginia governor’s race and New Jersey’s suburbs—offer an early read on the national climate heading into the 2026 midterms.

Last-minute checklist for Election Day 2025

1. Verify your polling place and opening hours.

2. Review your ballot—down-ballot races and measures often have immediate local impact.

3. Plan your commute around peak times; morning and post-work windows are busiest.

4. Bring acceptable ID if required, plus any needed assistive devices or translation help.

5. If in line by closing time, stay put—you’re entitled to vote.

With early voting already open in multiple jurisdictions and final get-out-the-vote pushes accelerating, Election Day 2025 is set to deliver consequential choices at every level of government. Make a plan, know your ballot, and be heard on November 4.