State races to watch in the 2023 elections

While the 2023 elections are absent of presidential or congressional races, several states are holding key contests that could decide which party controls state governments and ultimately shape the 2024 election.

Many states have different elections happening at once. Six states are holding referendums, four states have legislative elections — two of those four also have gubernatorial contests — and one state is holding a Supreme Court race. The most high-profile races are Kentucky's gubernatorial race, Ohio's abortion ballot measure, Virginia's General Assembly race, and Pennsylvania's Supreme Court race.

Each race has significant implications for whose party controls the state, particularly in Virginia, where all 140 seats in the General Assembly are up for reelection and each party is looking to flip the other's chamber. In Kentucky, there is a fierce battle between the Democratic incumbent and the Republican attorney general for the governor's mansion. Abortion also lies at the center of most 2023 races, indicating how voters will swing in the 2024 election.

Here are the top four states to watch for elections on Tuesday.