Election 2023 results and analysis: Democrats excel in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is projected to win reelection in Mississippi.

By538 and ABC News via five thirty eight logo
Last Updated: November 7, 2023, 5:08 PM EST

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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Nov 07, 2023, 8:15 PM EST

Abortion has been a liability for Republicans

As our colleague Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux has written, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court decision last year has turned reproductive health and abortion rights into a liability for Republicans at the ballot box. After Republican-led states began restricting abortion rights in the wake of the decision, voters around the country have supported increasing abortion rights when it was directly on the ballot and helped Democrats over-perform in the 2022 midterms. Support for abortion has been rising. A win for the "yes" in Ohio tonight could mean abortion rights will stay on voters minds as we head into the 2024 election season.

—Monica Potts, 538

Nov 07, 2023, 8:09 PM EST

It’s looking good for Democrats in Kentucky

Democrats face test in Kentucky governor's race:

Andy Beshear, the incumbent Democratic governor, faces off against GOP nominee Daniel Cameron on Tuesday in a usually deep red state.
2:15

Democrats face test in Kentucky governor's race

Andy Beshear, the incumbent Democratic governor, faces off against GOP nominee Daniel Cameron on Tuesday in a usually deep red state.
WCPO

Nov 07, 2023, 8:10 PM EST

Polls are closing, votes to come soon (hopefully)

The clock has chimed for 8 p.m. Eastern, which means polls have closed in four more states voting today. In Mississippi, the main action is the state's governor race, although there are also down-ballot races for statewide and legislative office. In New Jersey, the state legislative elections are the main focus. In Pennsylvania, there's a contest for the state supreme court that could be important for how the court decides election law questions in the 2024 election (among other things). And in Rhode Island, there's the special election for the vacant 1st Congressional District left behind by former Democratic Rep. David Cicilline.

—Geoffrey Skelley, 538

Nov 07, 2023, 8:05 PM EST

A strong start for liberals in Ohio

All of the votes reporting so far in Ohio appear to be early and absentee votes, which skew liberal. That explains why both Issue 1 and Issue 2 are leading by so much right now, as Leah mentioned. That said, they are winning by such a big margin that they’ll probably still be passing even after Election Day votes are counted. The New York Times has a live model of Issue 1, and they’re expecting the abortion-rights measure to pass by 14 percentage points.

—Nathaniel Rakich, 538

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