Midterm Stakes: Governors in 10 Key States Decided Today

In Riverside County, including Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, and Ontario, polling places are open from 7 a.m. To 8 p.m. Today, Tuesday, November 3, 2026. California conducts its elections largely by mail, but many residents still visit polling locations to cast their ballots. Voters in the county are deciding who will serve as the next governor, an open seat with no incumbent running. The ballot also includes every U.S. House seat in the state, state legislative offices, and various local measures. The primary parties on the ballot for governor are the Democrats and the Republicans. Anyone in line when polls close at 8 p.m. Is entitled to vote, so residents are encouraged to check their specific polling place at vote.gov to avoid delays.

While Riverside County voters focus on their own governor’s race, the national picture involves 36 governorships across the country. Heading into this election, Republicans hold 26 governor’s offices and Democrats hold 24. In the specific races on the ballot this year, each party holds 18 of the seats being contested. Nineteen of these races do not feature an incumbent, with 15 governors being term-limited and others choosing not to run. Democrats need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a status Republicans have held since 2010. The Associated Press notes that the outcome of these state races is a key indicator of the broader political mood in the nation.

In Georgia, voters are choosing between Republican Rick Jackson, a health care executive, and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta Mayor. This race is to succeed Brian Kemp, who is term-limited. In Nevada, Republican Governor Joe Lombardo faces Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. The Associated Press identifies these as significant contests where the balance of power in the state government is being decided.

In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is running against Democrat Amy Acton. Ramaswamy’s campaign faced some backlash over an advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother. In Arizona, Democrat Katie Hobbs is defending her governorship. Arizona is one of the competitive races where Democrats are defending a seat in a state that Trump won in 2024.

In Pennsylvania, Democrat Josh Shapiro is defending his seat. The Associated Press notes that Democrats are defending five governorships in states that Trump won in 2024, with Pennsylvania being one of them. In Wisconsin, the race is an open seat following the decision by Governor Tony Evers not to run. The Associated Press identifies Wisconsin as a battleground state where the outcome will influence the national control of governorships.

In Kansas, the governor’s race is part of a broader competitive environment in the state. The Associated Press notes that Kansas has become central to the fight for Senate control, and the governor’s race is closely watched. In Michigan, the governor’s race is also a key contest. The Associated Press highlights Michigan as a state where the outcome could shift the balance of power, with the race being part of the five Democratic-held governorships in states Trump won in 2024 that are up for grabs.

In New Hampshire, Republican Kelly Ayotte is defending her governorship. The Associated Press notes that Republicans are defending two governorships in states that Harris won in 2024, with New Hampshire being one of them. In Vermont, Republican Phil Scott is defending his seat. The Associated Press identifies Vermont as the other state where Republicans are defending a governorship in a state that Harris won in 2024.

The mood in these states is shaped by national issues, particularly high prices and the war with Iran. The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on President Trump’s second term. Polling from AP-NORC shows that 35% of U.S. Adults approve of Trump’s job performance, while about 7 in 10 say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most voters blame the president for high prices. In these ten states, voters are weighing these national concerns against local state issues as they decide who will lead their state government for the next four years.

Republicans were bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate, with one or two seats potentially tipping either chamber. Democrats were described as cautiously optimistic. The outcome of the governor’s races will contribute to the overall tally of which party controls the majority of governorships. If Democrats gain two seats, they will hold a majority for the first time in two decades. This shift would have implications for policy implementation and federal relations in the states involved.

In Riverside County, the local context remains important for voters. The county’s towns, from Anaheim to Ontario, are all participating in the statewide election. The governor’s race is an open seat, meaning no incumbent is running, which often leads to higher voter engagement as candidates campaign more intensively. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states. This high level of participation suggests that voters are engaged and motivated to make their voices heard on both state and national issues.