Newsom and his Illinois counterpart, Gov. JB Pritzker, have warned that Trump's attempts to send the U.S. military into their states' most populous cities — Los Angeles and Chicago — are precursors to deploying the military or federal agents to polling places in Democratic-leaning cities next year.

Voters head to the polls next week in California, Virginia and New Jersey among other states. Senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro explain what they are watching in these elections — and what voters’ choices might say about the political moment.

Find your polling site, check voter ID rules and learn about early voting options with this essential guide to casting your ballot on Election Day 2025.

The election stands as one of the nation’s most closely watched races, with implications for national party strategy and midterms.