Early voting begins today in New York and New Jersey: What to know

Early voting is now underway throughout the tri-state area. New York and New Jersey joining Connecticut, where voters are already casting their ballots. Today, big-name Democrats showed up at polls that are already open. And Fox 5's Richard Jacobovitz is live for us in the newsroom with more on all of this. Good evening, Richard. Arthur, it's not only the first day of early voting, but it's also the last day to register to vote in the midterm elections, a consequential election where local races in our area could ultimately determine the balance of power in Washington. Mayor Zohran Mamdani casting his vote shortly after polls opened for early voting. The mayor voting with a large crowd this morning at the Met, shaking hands with fellow voters and poll workers before filling out his ballot. For New Yorkers, they'll choose candidates for governor, attorney general, state comptroller, as well as some hotly contested house races. The mayor, who was on the campaign trail with Governor Kathy Hochul yesterday, speaking with reporters after his visit to the polling site, reiterating his commitment to supporting the governor. I'm excited to be campaigning with Governor Hochul. I was excited to just vote for Governor Hochul on the Working Families Party line. And yesterday we were out together on the G train, and I'm excited to continue being out there for her as she leads her reelection. Governor Hochul voting early this morning in Buffalo and then greeting her supporters after the governor campaigned with Mayor Mamdani in New York City yesterday. Meanwhile, in our area, Hochul's Republican challenger campaigning on Staten Island. He was on the stump yesterday in Chinatown. Bruce Blakeman, Fox 5, catching up. with both candidates yesterday. Those who question why I'm campaigning with him, he's more popular than Bruce Blakeman across the damn state of New York. We will work together in collaboration to make safer communities, to make it more prosperous to live here, to cut your taxes, cut your utility bills, and make you happy again because Kathy Hochul has made you miserable. Blakeman was campaigning in both Staten Island and Brooklyn this morning with that late afternoon rally in Queens. According to the latest Quinnipiac poll, Governor Hochul holds a 14-point lead over the Nassau County Executive. Election Day itself now just 10 days away, with early voting ending November 1st. Arthur.