Among today's most closely watched state level races is New York, where voters are choosing a governor and deciding every one of the 150 seats in the State Assembly.
New York elects its governor every four years, and this cycle's contest is one of the marquee gubernatorial races on this year's ballot nationally. The governor oversees a state budget that funds everything from the New York City subway system to upstate school districts, and also shapes policy on housing, energy, and public safety that affects tens of millions of residents. Because New York is one of the most populous states in the country, its governor is often seen as a significant national political figure regardless of party.
Down the ballot, all 150 seats in the State Assembly, the lower chamber of the state legislature, are up for election, as they are every two years. A party needs 76 seats to hold a majority. The Assembly works alongside the State Senate to pass New York's budget and laws, and this year's results will determine how much room the next governor has to pursue their agenda, since a legislature controlled by the opposing party can slow or block key proposals.
Results are expected to be reported through the evening as polling places close across the state, with New York City's dense precincts and the state's many upstate counties typically reporting at different speeds. As with the national picture, turnout and the final composition of the Assembly will be watched closely as early signals of the broader political mood heading into the next two years.
Watch the governor's race call time and whether either party comes close to a supermajority in the Assembly, which would give the majority party more power to override a governor's veto.
How often does New York elect a governor?
New York governors serve four year terms, so the office is on the ballot once every four years.
Why does the Assembly race matter if the governor's race gets more attention?
Control of the Assembly determines how easily the next governor can pass a budget and legislation, since the chamber has to approve most of the governor's agenda.