Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is projected to win reelection in Mississippi.
Nov. 7, 2023, was Election Day in at least 37 states, and Americans cast their votes on everything from governorships to local referenda. When the dust settled, it was a solid night for Democrats and their allies: According to ABC News projections, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear won reelection in Kentucky, and Ohio voters passed Issue 1 to codify abortion rights in the state constitution. The AP also projected that Democrats won both chambers of the Virginia legislature and an open seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. However, there were a few bright spots for Republicans: ABC News projected that Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves beat back a strong challenge from Democrat Brandon Presley.
As results came in, 538 analysts were breaking them down in real time with live updates, analysis and commentary. Read our full live blog below.
So far, the “yes” vote is leading for both ballot measures, but with 14 percent of the expected vote reported, we’re seeing 66 percent support for Issue 1, which would enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution, and 58 percent support for Issue 2, which would legalize recreational marijuana (with limitations).
— Leah Askarinam, 538
Democrats face test in Kentucky governor's race:
ABC News projects that Coleman will win the Kentucky Attorney General's race. It's the second projected statewide win for Republicans tonight. But as Nathaniel and Elliott noted earlier, Beshear otherwise seems to be over-performing his 2019 numbers in some parts of the state. That may include Breathitt County, which he won in 2019 by two points but is leading tonight 61 to 39 percent over Cameron, with 83 percent of the expected votes in. Breathitt County, in Eastern Kentucky, was hit hard by flooding last year, and Beshear's performance in leading the recovery could account for better-than-expected results there. Overall, Beshear is ahead 53 to 47 percent in the state, with 45 percent of the expected vote reported.
—Monica Potts, 538
ABC News does not yet have enough information to make a projection, but based on exit polling, “yes” is leading in both the abortion and marijuana ballot measures. And on both issues, the “yes” vote is the more liberal option: enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution and legalizing recreational marijuana.
— Leah Askarinam, 538
