The Latest: Primaries draw voters in New York, Maryland, South Carolina and Utah

Primary and runoff voting was underway Tuesday across New York, Maryland, Utah and South Carolina, with the Associated Press reporting voter activity in a set of contests that could shape House races, state political direction and the final shape of several party tickets.

The day’s voting ranged from closely watched Democratic primaries in New York and Maryland to Utah races shaped by redistricting and runoff elections in South Carolina. AP said the races were drawing attention because they combine local power struggles, intraparty fights and, in some cases, possible consequences for congressional control.

New York's intraparty tests

In New York, Democrats were weighing competing visions for the party in a state where several high-profile primaries have become proxy fights between progressive and establishment wings. The contests include races involving Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat.

Those primaries matter beyond the state because control of some House seats could be affected by the outcome. AP framed the New York contests as part of a broader test of the party’s direction during the Trump era, with candidates and factions seeking to claim momentum from Election Day results.

Maryland's costly primaries

Maryland’s primaries have been defined by crowded fields and unusually expensive spending, especially in congressional districts on the Washington edge of the state. Axios highlighted the costliest contests on D.C.’s doorstep, while AP said the races could influence the state’s House delegation.

Candidates mentioned in the Maryland coverage include Darializa Avila Chevalier, Claire Valdez, Adrian Boafo, Quincy Bareebe and David Trone. Outside money and candidate financing have emerged as central factors in those races, adding another layer of uncertainty to primaries that already carry stakes for party influence and congressional power.

Utah's redrawn map

Utah’s primary day was shaped by a redrawn congressional map that created a more competitive environment than the state usually sees. AP said the new lines set up a heated Democratic primary in the Salt Lake City-centered district and a Republican primary challenge to Rep. Celeste Maloy.

Axios reported that more than 160,000 Utah voters had already participated before Election Day, underscoring the level of interest in the state’s races. The Utah contests are being watched as a measure of how the new map could alter the state’s congressional balance and sharpen the stakes in a state that has often been politically predictable.

South Carolina runoffs

South Carolina held runoff elections alongside the primaries elsewhere, with AP saying runoff winners will become nominees in key statewide and legislative contests. Among the races drawing attention is the Republican gubernatorial runoff between Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson.

The runoff setup adds another layer to an already busy primary day, with the final nominee field still unresolved in several contests. AP said the results will determine which candidates advance from intra-party fights into the general election stage.

Election officials and campaigns are expected to keep releasing results through the evening. The biggest questions are still open: which races finish closest, how turnout compares with expectations and which candidates can claim the clearest mandate once the votes are counted.

For now, the primary-day picture is one of active turnout and unresolved stakes across four states. The contests are being watched not only for the winners they produce, but for what they reveal about party direction, redistricting, campaign money and the battle for House seats in 2026.