The Downballot's 2025 election preview

We go way beyond Virginia and New Jersey to spotlight dozens of races nationwide

Democrat Abigail Spanberger (at center, with microphone), the frontrunner in the race for Virginia’s open governorship (credit: Abigail Spanberger Facebook)

Voters across the country will cast ballots on Tuesday in a wide range of races, offering the broadest read to date on the mood of the electorate during Donald Trump’s second term.

Below, we preview nearly 40 of the most important contests in 16 different states, though many other localities are also holding elections. After each state’s name, we’ve also included poll closing times.

On election night, The Downballot will be covering all the results in our video livestream starting at 7 PM ET, along with our frequent collaborator G. Elliott Morris of Strength In Numbers. The best way to watch and participate—we’ll also be answering your questions!—is by downloading the free Substack app. You can also click here to tune in.

California (11 PM ET / 8 PM local time)

Proposition 50

Republicans have all but abandoned their campaign to thwart Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment that would temporarily enact a Democratic-drawn congressional map that targets five Republican seats. Spending has heavily favored supporters, and limited polling has shown the measure passing comfortably.

Florida (7 PM ET)

Miami Mayor

With 13 candidates running in the officially nonpartisan contest to succeed termed-out Republican Mayor Francis Suarez, it’s all but certain that no one will win the majority of the vote necessary to avert a Dec. 9 runoff. GOP leaders have largely consolidated behind former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez, while Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins is the most likely Democrat to advance. The field also includes former Mayor Xavier Suarez, an independent who is the incumbent’s father.

Georgia (7 PM ET)

Public Service Commission

The GOP holds all five seats on the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, but Republicans are panicked that they might lose a pair of special elections. One Republican candidate has resorted to overtly racist attacks against his Democratic opponent, a Black woman, calling her a “DEI specialist” and emphasizing, “This is not a dog whistle. This is a whistle.” Low turnout is expected, and that’s often benefited Democrats in the Trump era. Both posts are elected statewide.

Maine (8 PM ET)

Question 1

Republicans are backing a ballot measure that would make it harder to vote by forbidding the state from automatically mailing out absentee ballots every year to voters who request to be on such a list. It would also end online voter registration, limit towns to providing a single drop box, and impose a voter ID requirement. Opponents have a wide spending advantage, but the only public poll showed a tossup.

Question 2

Gun safety advocates are promoting a measure to allow family members and law enforcement to ask a judge to restrict a person’s access to firearms without first requiring a mental health evaluation, also known as a “red flag” law. Supporters have outspent opponents, who include Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. Once again, the only available poll found a close race, though with many more undecided voters than for Question 1.