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Voters head to polls in Virginia, New Jersey and New York Voters head to polls in Virginia, New Jersey and New York
(about 9 hours later)
Voters in the US are heading to the polls in the first major round of elections since President Barack Obama won a second term one year ago.Voters in the US are heading to the polls in the first major round of elections since President Barack Obama won a second term one year ago.
In New Jersey and Virginia, voters will elect governors.In New Jersey and Virginia, voters will elect governors.
New York City will choose a successor to three-term Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Republican-turned-independent.New York City will choose a successor to three-term Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Republican-turned-independent.
Tuesday's races are seen as an early test of the Republican and Democratic Parties' strengths ahead of next year's critical congressional elections. Tuesday's races are seen as an early test of the Republican and Democratic parties' strengths ahead of next year's critical congressional elections.
New York mayorNew York mayor
In New York City, Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio has taken a commanding lead in opinion polls over Republican Joe Lhota, a former senior official in the mayoral administrations of Mr Bloomberg and his predecessor Rudolph Giuliani.In New York City, Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio has taken a commanding lead in opinion polls over Republican Joe Lhota, a former senior official in the mayoral administrations of Mr Bloomberg and his predecessor Rudolph Giuliani.
Mr De Blasio, the city's public advocate, ran Hillary Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign. He is seen as one of the most liberal mayoral candidates in decades. Mr de Blasio, the city's public advocate, ran Hillary Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign. He is seen as one of the most liberal mayoral candidates in decades.
Under Mr Bloomberg, Mr Lhota ran the city's public transport authority. He was lauded for quickly getting the city's vast subway system running again after a terrible storm flooded large swathes of the city last year.Under Mr Bloomberg, Mr Lhota ran the city's public transport authority. He was lauded for quickly getting the city's vast subway system running again after a terrible storm flooded large swathes of the city last year.
New Jersey governorNew Jersey governor
In New Jersey, incumbent Republican Governor Chris Christie is expected to win re-election handily.In New Jersey, incumbent Republican Governor Chris Christie is expected to win re-election handily.
His Democratic challenger, State Senator Barbara Buono, has struggled to gain traction. His Democratic challenger, state Senator Barbara Buono, has struggled to gain traction.
Analysts say Mr Christie's popularity with voters in Democratic-leaning New Jersey makes him a contender for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, because it could enable him to claim broad political appeal.Analysts say Mr Christie's popularity with voters in Democratic-leaning New Jersey makes him a contender for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, because it could enable him to claim broad political appeal.
Mr Christie, 51, was already a popular figure when the huge storm Sandy devastated the state's coastline a year ago. His response to the storm attracted national attention.
He has been campaigning across the state since last week, even as polls suggested he had an advantage of at least 20 points on Ms Buono.
While many in New Jersey support her positions, she has had difficulty raising money, even from Democrats, because of her lower profile before the governor's race.
Virginia governorVirginia governor
The opponents in the Virginia governor race have drawn on high-profile supporters in recent weeks as they wrapped up their campaigns. The Virginia governor race pits Democrat Terry McAuliffe against Republican Ken Cuccinelli.
President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joseph Biden have campaigned for Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe. Mr McAuliffe is a businessman and veteran Democratic party fundraiser. He has close ties to former President Bill Clinton and Mrs Clinton, serving as chairman of her 2008 presidential campaign.
Mr McAuliffe is a businessman and veteran Democratic Party fundraiser. He has close ties to former President Bill Clinton and Mrs Clinton, serving as chairman of her 2008 presidential campaign. Mr Cuccinelli, the Virginia attorney general, has angled for the support of the populist, hardcore conservative Tea Party movement of Republicans.
In that race, Republican Ken Cuccinelli, the Virginia attorney general, has received support from conservative stars Republican Senator Marco Rubio and former Congressman Ron Paul. Mr McAuliffe, who has raised much more money, has sought to link Mr Cuccinelli to last month's partial shutdown of the federal government, which was brought about by Republicans in Washington DC.
Analysts say Mr Cuccinelli is counting on the support of the populist, hardcore conservative Tea Party movement of Republicans. Virginia, long a Republican stronghold, has seen a demographic shift in recent years. Mr Obama, a Democrat, won the state in the last two presidential elections.
Mr McAuliffe, who has raised significantly more money, has sought to turn voters away from Mr Cuccinelli by tying him to last month's partial shutdown of the federal government, which was pushed by Republicans in Washington DC. The results of Tuesday's polls could prove an early measure of the parties' support ahead of the midterm elections of 2014, which will decide the make-up of the House of Representatives, one-third of the Senate, and the governorships in more than half the states.
Virginia, long a Republican stronghold, has seen a demographic shift in recent years. Mr Obama, a Democrat, won the state in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections. In Washington, Mr Obama's Democratic party controls the Senate, while the Republicans control the House of Representatives. Now in his second term, Mr Obama will vacate the presidency in 2017.
The results of Tuesday's elections could prove an early measure of the parties' support in 2014, in which voters will decide the make-up of the House of Representatives, one-third of the Senate, and the governorships in more than half the states.
In Washington, Mr Obama's Democratic Party controls the Senate, while the Republicans control the House of Representatives. Now in his second term, Mr Obama will vacate the presidency in 2017.