Virginia

Democrats Hold Unto the House of Delegates

Democrats expanded their majority in the Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday, growing from 51 to 64 seats (with one race still uncalled). The gains came mainly from suburban districts around Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads, despite heavy GOP spending and a late push from Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Turnout was high in key swing areas, driven by debates over abortion, democracy, and local issues like housing and school funding. Democrats focused on protecting abortion access and public services, while Republicans emphasized parental rights, public safety, and the economy.

Republicans had hoped to retake the chamber but fell short, reflecting Virginia’s continued Democratic strength in its fast-growing population centers, even as the GOP remains strong in rural areas.

Maine

Changes in Election Process Rejected

On Tuesday, Maine voters rejected a ballot measure, supported by Republicans, that sought to make significant changes to the state’s election process.

The proposal would have required voters to present a photo ID for all types of voting and shortened the absentee voting window by two days. It also would have banned requesting absentee ballots by phone or through a family member, eliminated ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, prohibited prepaid return postage for absentee ballots, and limited the number of ballot drop boxes, among other changes.

Red Flag Law Approved

Two years after Maine’s deadliest mass shooting, voters approved a measure that makes it easier for family members to ask a court to temporarily take guns away from someone who may be dangerous.

Before this change, only police could start that process under Maine’s “yellow flag” law. Now, family members can also do so, similar to “red flag” laws in more than 20 other states.

The proposal gained support after 18 people were killed in a shooting at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston in October 2023.

Pennsylvania

Voters Retain Three State Supreme Court Justices

Pennsylvania voters chose to keep all three state Supreme Court justices who were up for retention, maintaining the Democrats’ 5-2 majority on the court.

Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht were each approved to stay on the bench. Dougherty and Wecht will serve new 10-year terms, while Donohue will serve until 2027, when she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 75.

President Donald Trump decided to weigh in at the last minute, urging Pennsylvanians to “Vote ‘NO, NO, NO’ on Liberal Justices Donohue, Dougherty, and Wecht” in a Truth Social post on Sunday night.

Mississippi

Democrats Gain Seats in State Senate & Legislature

On Tuesday, voters in eight Mississippi Senate districts and two House districts elected new lawmakers ahead of the 2026 legislative session.

Most of these elections happened because a court ordered new district maps to create more majority-Black districts. Others were held to replace members who resigned before their terms ended.

As a result of the new maps, Democrats gained two Senate seats and one House seat. Those Senate gains ended the Republicans’ supermajority, bringing the GOP to 34 of 52 seats.