What's at stake on Election Day for D.C., Maryland and Virginia

Midterm Election Day Preview

The balance of power in Congress will be decided on Election Day and Virginia looks to be a major player in which party controls the House and Senate. Meanwhile, a vote on who will lead both Maryland and D.C. is on the table.

D.C.

There has been ongoing criticism about D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's ability to deal with crime in the District. However, she still won the nomination against two Democratic council members back in June.

If Mayor Bowser wins on Tuesday, she will be the first mayor to serve a third term since Mayor Marion Barry. She faces Republican candidate Stacia Hall, but with D.C.'s overwhelming number of Democratic voters, Bowser is widely expected to come out on top.

Also on the ballot in D.C. is Initiative 82, a chance for voters to decide if D.C. should raise the minimum wage for tipped workers. If it passes, it would increase the minimum wage every year until it equals the non-tipped wage.

Supporters say it will give people a stable income while opponents say it will drive up prices and cause businesses to move out of D.C. Voters passed a similar vote in 2018, but it was later repealed by D.C. Council.

How 'Initiative 82' could transform DC's restaurant industry

This November will mark the second time in roughly four years that D.C. voters can decide how tipped workers get paid. FOX 5's Jacqueline Matter spoke to Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage about the D.C. Council's legislation Initiative 82.

Maryland

Election Day means big changes in Maryland where voters will choose a new governor and decide on legalizing recreational marijuana. The entire House Congressional delegation is aloes up for re-election.

Democrats are looking to re-take the governor's mansion with Wes Moore. He's a former Rhode's Scholar, non-profit executive and combat veteran. Republican nominee Dan Cox is a state delegate who has been endorsed by former president Donald Trump. Both in polls and fundraising, Moore has led the race from the start.

Ballot Question 4 is all about recreational marijuana. If passed, Marylanders over 21 could possess up to 1.5 ounces and grow two plants. Supporters say recreational marijuana could generate $500 million in tax revenue while opponents argue legalizing marijuana violates federal law. It is expected to pass.

Maryland voters to decide whether to legalize marijuana

Maryland voters will head to the polls in just under two weeks and decide whether recreational marijuana should be legal in the state. However, as the vote draws near, supporters and opponents remain at odds over the benefits and drawbacks.

Virginia

Many eyes across the nation are on Virginia. The Commonwealth's 10th District and 7th District are both House seats now held by Democrats that only a few years ago were held by Republicans. The GOP needs to flip five seats in the House to take control and Virginia alone could deliver three.

In the 7th District, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA case officer, has argued with liberal Democrats in her party. Republican challenger Yesli Vega is a Prince William County supervisor looking to follow up Republican wins in Virginia last year.

Both candidates' TV ads have been non-stop with their respective national parties flooding in money.

A heated battle has also been taking place in the 10th District. Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton, a former Virginia prosecutor, has previously focused on law and order. This time, her campaign has highlighted women's rights.

Issues Impacting Voters: Abortion

As we near Election Day, FOX 5 is breaking down the issues that matter most to voters, including a hot-button issue that was re-sparked this summer – abortion. Politics reporter Grace Panetta joins us to give insight into how prevalent this issue will be in the midterms.

Her opponent, Hung Cao, is a Navy veteran and has made headlines backing Gov. Glenn Youngkin's order that parents must give permission for children to change their gender designation.