In-person early voting began Saturday in two of this year’s most closely watched U.S. elections: the New York City mayoral race and the contest for New Jersey’s next governor.

In New York City, voters are choosing among Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat now running as an independent. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who withdrew from the race last month, has endorsed Cuomo.

In New Jersey, Republican state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli faces Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy.

New York introduced early voting in 2019, and it has grown in popularity. About 35% of ballots were cast early in June’s mayoral primary. New Jersey adopted early voting in 2021. Early voting in Virginia, where voters are selecting between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, began on Sept. 19.

Analysts say the off-year elections in New York and New Jersey could indicate which types of candidates might energize voters in the broader struggle against Republican President Donald Trump’s agenda.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has drawn support with proposals for universal free childcare, free public transit, and rent freezes for one million regulated apartments. Cuomo has criticized these policies as financially unrealistic and has questioned Mamdani’s stance on Israel, while Mamdani has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, and Cuomo have framed Mamdani’s position as antisemitic.

In New Jersey, Ciattarelli and Sherrill debated topics including the federal government shutdown, Sherrill’s military service, Trump-era policies, and the rising cost of living. The winner will become the state’s next governor.

Early voting continues through Nov. 1 in Virginia and Nov. 2 in New York and New Jersey, with Election Day scheduled for Nov. 4.