The big names may not be on the ballot on Nov. 4, but the hopes and dreams of many prominent politicians will be on the line in this year’s elections. These are the races that will cause ripples that will run through the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential elections.

First, voter approval of Proposition 50, the Election Rigging Response Act, could make a California dream a reality for congressional Democrats and create a nightmare for Republicans.

The constitutional amendment on this year’s ballot would allow the Democratic majority in the state legislature to draw a new congressional map to replace the one created five years ago by the state's non-partisan redistricting commission. The fate of the question on Nov. 4 might make or break Democrats' chances of retaking the U.S. House next year. If voters support the plan, redistricting might add five seats to the state’s Democratic delegation in the U.S. House. The party desperately needs those seats to offset Republican redistricting gains in Texas, Missouri and other red states.

A defeat would be a significant blow to Democratic hopes of winning a House majority in 2026 and to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) 2028 presidential ambitions. But the governor has wisely framed this race in a bright blue state as an urgent effort to stop President Trump’s devastating congressional agenda dead in its tracks.

In Pennsylvania, voters will decide whether to retain in their positions three Democratic judges on........

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