The primary election season is entering one of its most important weeks. On June 23, voters will cast their ballots in Maryland and Utah, but much of the national attention is focused on New York. There, several Democratic primaries have turned into a referendum on the leadership of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, one of the country’s most influential progressive figures since he took office earlier this year.
Meanwhile, in Utah, a new court-ordered redistricting plan has created a Democratic-leaning district in a state historically dominated by Republicans. The outcome could have implications for the composition of the House of Representatives in Washington.
When and at what time are the elections?
Election Day will be held on Tuesday, June 23.
In New York, polling places will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Early voting runs through June 21.
In Maryland, polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voters who were in line before closing time will be allowed to cast their ballots.
In Utah, voters will have until 8:00 p.m. to drop off their mail-in ballots in official drop boxes or vote in person. State officials have recommended against mailing ballots just a few days before the election due to a legal change that now requires votes to be received by election offices before polls close.
What’s on the ballot?
In New York, the most closely watched race is taking place in District 10, which encompasses parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. There, former City Comptroller Brad Lander is challenging Congressman Dan Goldman in a race that has become one of the main tests of Mamdani’s political influence. Lander is part of a group of candidates backed by the progressive mayor, who seeks to expand the number of ideological allies in Washington and consolidate his influence within the Democratic Party. The campaign has also brought to the fore the debate over the war in Gaza and the U.S. relationship with Israel — a particularly sensitive issue in a district with a significant Jewish population.
Another key race is in District 17, one of the few considered truly competitive for the November midterm elections. Democrats will select the candidate who will attempt to defeat Republican Mike Lawler in a seat considered crucial to the battle for control of the House of Representatives.
In Maryland, voters will choose candidates for governor, Congress, and numerous local offices. The election includes races for county executives, local councils, and other state positions.
In Utah, a new gerrymandered district created a Democratic-leaning congressional district in the Salt Lake City area, sparking a fierce contest between former Congressman Ben McAdams and several more progressive candidates. The race has also sparked interest among thousands of Republican and independent voters. More than 7,500 people requested Democratic ballots in Salt Lake County, a figure far higher than that recorded in the 2022 midterm elections.
Who can vote?
New York uses a closed primary system. Voters registered as Democrats or Republicans may only participate in their party’s primary.
Maryland allows same-day registration as long as voters present documents proving their residence in the state.
Utah’s Democratic primary is open. Voters registered as Republicans or independents may participate by requesting a Democratic ballot, although they may not vote in more than one primary.
When will the results be announced?
The first results will begin to be released on the evening of June 23 after the polls close.
In New York and Maryland, the main trends are expected to become clear in the early evening. In Utah, the count will include thousands of ballots mailed in and deposited in official drop boxes in the days leading up to the election.
Some closely contested races may take longer to be decided, especially in districts where the margin between candidates is narrow.
Runoff election in South Carolina
On June 23, a runoff election will also be held in South Carolina, where voters will decide several nominations that remained undecided after no candidate secured an absolute majority in the primaries earlier this month.
The state allows both those who participated in the initial primary and those who did not vote previously to vote in the runoffs. However, voters cannot switch parties between rounds.
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