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Elections test US voters' mood Democrats lose ground in US polls
(40 minutes later)
People in the US states of New Jersey and Virginia have been voting to choose new governors. US Democrats have lost ground in two key elections for governor, according to projections by media networks.
The results will be closely watched by Republicans and Democrats who see it as a test of their parties' standing one year after President Obama was elected. Republican candidate Bob McDonnell was set to win in Virginia, while the race in the Democrat heartland of New Jersey was too close to call.
In Virginia, US media networks have projected a win for the Republican candidate Bob McDonnell. Voting has now also closed in New Jersey. The results are being seen as a test of the two parties' standings one year after President Obama was elected.
Two Congressional seats are also up for grabs in New York and California. Two Congressional seats are also up for grabs in New York and California. New York is among cities choosing a mayor.
New York is among cities choosing a mayor.
While local issues have been paramount in these races, a win could boost party morale ahead of 2010 mid-term ballots.While local issues have been paramount in these races, a win could boost party morale ahead of 2010 mid-term ballots.
The results will be taken by some as a referendum on President Obama's first nine months in office BBC North America editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in fullThe results will be taken by some as a referendum on President Obama's first nine months in office BBC North America editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full
In New Jersey, the incumbent Democratic Governor Jon Corzine has been fighting a bitter campaign against his Republican rival Chris Christie, not only attacking him over his ties to former President George W Bush and his views on abortion and healthcare, but also poking fun at his weight.In New Jersey, the incumbent Democratic Governor Jon Corzine has been fighting a bitter campaign against his Republican rival Chris Christie, not only attacking him over his ties to former President George W Bush and his views on abortion and healthcare, but also poking fun at his weight.
Polling conducted before the vote suggested the two candidates were neck and neck. Exit polls suggest the two candidates are neck and neck.
Lines represent aggregate of polls collated by polling resource site Pollster.comLines represent aggregate of polls collated by polling resource site Pollster.com
A survey conducted by Monmouth University and Gannett over the final weekend of the campaign gave Jon Corzine a slim 43% to 41% lead over Mr Christie, with the independent candidate, Chris Daggett, dropping to 8% of the vote.
A defeat in New Jersey would sting the Democrats, especially after Mr Obama threw his weight behind Governor Corzine, repeatedly travelling to New Jersey to back the former Goldman Sachs chief executive on the campaign trail.A defeat in New Jersey would sting the Democrats, especially after Mr Obama threw his weight behind Governor Corzine, repeatedly travelling to New Jersey to back the former Goldman Sachs chief executive on the campaign trail.
"We will not lose this election if all of you are as committed as you were last year," Mr Obama told voters in New Jersey, referring to his own success in mobilising a wide array of voters including Hispanics, African-Americans and the young in the 2008 presidential election."We will not lose this election if all of you are as committed as you were last year," Mr Obama told voters in New Jersey, referring to his own success in mobilising a wide array of voters including Hispanics, African-Americans and the young in the 2008 presidential election.
However, the president's former campaign manager, David Plouffe, warned against reading too much into Tuesday's contests.However, the president's former campaign manager, David Plouffe, warned against reading too much into Tuesday's contests.
"The results of these elections tend to be over-read," he told the NBC network's Today programme. "These are local races. There's 18,000 lifetimes between now and next November.""The results of these elections tend to be over-read," he told the NBC network's Today programme. "These are local races. There's 18,000 lifetimes between now and next November."
In Virginia, Democratic party candidate Creigh Deeds has been battling Mr McDonnell, a former attorney general, for the post of governor. In Virginia, projections by US media networks suggest the Democratic party candidate Creigh Deeds has lost to Mr McDonnell, a former attorney general.
Voters there surprised some analysts last year when they chose Barack Obama in the presidential election, making him the first Democratic candidate to carry the state since 1964. Only last year President Obama became the first Democratic candidate to carry the state since 1964.
Voter turnout in the state was light to moderate with none of the long lines seen during the presidential election. But exit polls suggest independent voters who supported the president in the 2008 election have switched their support to the Republican party candidate in this race.
Republican divisionsRepublican divisions
But it is not just the Democratic Party whose performance will be under scrutiny.But it is not just the Democratic Party whose performance will be under scrutiny.
The race to fill a vacant Congressional seat in New York's 23rd district has highlighted a split within the Republican Party, with some choosing to back the tiny Conservative Party's Doug Hoffman rather than endorse Dierdre Scozzafava, the moderate candidate chosen by the Republicans.The race to fill a vacant Congressional seat in New York's 23rd district has highlighted a split within the Republican Party, with some choosing to back the tiny Conservative Party's Doug Hoffman rather than endorse Dierdre Scozzafava, the moderate candidate chosen by the Republicans.
Michael Bloomberg is running against Democrat Bill Thompson in New YorkMichael Bloomberg is running against Democrat Bill Thompson in New York
The row led Ms Scozzafava - who supports abortion rights and gay marriage - to drop out of the race on Saturday and throw her weight behind the Democratic candidate, Bill Owens.The row led Ms Scozzafava - who supports abortion rights and gay marriage - to drop out of the race on Saturday and throw her weight behind the Democratic candidate, Bill Owens.
Also in New York, independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seeking a third term, with pre-vote polling putting him well ahead of Democratic challenger Bill Thompson.Also in New York, independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seeking a third term, with pre-vote polling putting him well ahead of Democratic challenger Bill Thompson.
Analysts estimate the billionaire businessman could have spent more than $100m (£61m) of his personal fortune on his re-election campaign.Analysts estimate the billionaire businessman could have spent more than $100m (£61m) of his personal fortune on his re-election campaign.
Mayoral elections are also being held in Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Detroit and Pittsburgh.Mayoral elections are also being held in Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Detroit and Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile in Maine, a referendum is being held on whether to accept or reject a same-sex marriage law passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.Meanwhile in Maine, a referendum is being held on whether to accept or reject a same-sex marriage law passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.
If voters pass the measure, Maine will be the first US state to approve gay marriage at the ballot box.If voters pass the measure, Maine will be the first US state to approve gay marriage at the ballot box.
Whatever the results of Tuesday's elections, they will be pored over by the party faithful for clues as to how their candidates may fare in the crucial 2010 mid-term elections, correspondents say.Whatever the results of Tuesday's elections, they will be pored over by the party faithful for clues as to how their candidates may fare in the crucial 2010 mid-term elections, correspondents say.
Next year, the entire House of Representatives, about a third of the Senate and two-thirds of governors' posts will be up for grabs.Next year, the entire House of Representatives, about a third of the Senate and two-thirds of governors' posts will be up for grabs.
Are you voting in any of the elections on Tuesday? How important are they for Republicans and Democrats? What do you think are the results to watch out for? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you voting in any of the elections on Tuesday? How important are they for Republicans and Democrats? What do you think are the results to watch out for? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions