2026 elections: what the polls say in New York and New Jersey before polls close

Less than two hours before polls close in New York, no winner has been declared yet in this Tuesday, November 3 midterm election. Polls in New York are open until 9:00 p.m. and in New Jersey until 8:00 p.m., and the Associated Press (AP) still rates every New York race as "too early to call," with 0% of precincts reporting.

What the polls do say so far favors Democrats nationally: the RealClearPolitics average puts them at 52.1% versus 43.3% for Republicans on the generic House ballot, and NBC News' final national poll, from October 28-30, had them at 52% versus 45%. More than 59 million Americans had already voted early before today, according to NPR.

In New York, the top race is for governor, between Democrat Kathy Hochul and Republican Bruce Blakeman. All 26 House seats from the state are also at stake, including the Dominican-origin candidacies: Darializa Ávila Chevalier in District 13, and in the State Assembly Yudelka Tapia (District 86), Manny De los Santos (72), George Álvarez (78), Amanda Séptimo (84) and Karines Reyes (87), plus Judge Manuel J. Méndez. New Yorkers are also voting on five city proposals. Based on 2024 counting times, New York's first votes are expected around 9:30 p.m. and most votes near 11:00 p.m.

In New Jersey, polls close at 8:00 p.m. The race most followed by the Dominican community is House District 11, where Democrat Analilia Mejía, of Dominican and Colombian roots, seeks a full term against Republican Joe Hathaway, the same rival she defeated in last April's special election. New Jersey's first votes are expected around 8:30 p.m.

Exit polls cannot project winners while polls remain open in each state, and no partial result equals a victory. A Lo Claro will update this coverage as soon as AP calls the first winners, state by state.

Photo: Archivo A Lo Claro

Source: Associated Press, RealClearPolitics, NBC News and NPR