Wins in Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia strengthen Democrats as they look for signs ahead of next year’s national elections.

USA

Democrats looking for positive signs ahead of next year’s elections had reason to celebrate Tuesday. They scored victories in off-year elections in Kentucky, Virginia and Ohio, demonstrating the continued strength of the party’s pro-abortion campaign playbook.

In Virginia, Democrats won control of the state legislature, flipping the House of Representatives and taking control of the Senate. Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin had hoped that uniting his party around a 15-week abortion ban would help gain Republican control of the state legislature. But Democrats warned that Republicans would likely severely restrict access to abortion after that point.

In Ohio, voters backed a measure to enshrine the right to abortion in that state’s constitution, the latest major victory for abortion rights advocates more than a year after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

And in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear, a popular Democrat, won reelection in his deep-red state, a possible indication that the political conditions that helped his party win last year’s midterm elections still resonate with voters. Mr. Beshear talked about abortion rights and about leading his state through a dark period to a strong post-pandemic economy. His Republican opponent, Daniel Cameron, lost despite support from former President Donald J. Trump.

The races — one of the most watched this year — provided reinforcement to Democrats as they try to protect abortion access and develop a strategy for the 2024 presidential and congressional races.

Here’s a look at what else is happening:

In Mississippi, the Democratic challenger, Brandon Presley, conceded to Tate Reeves, the Republican governor. The race was more competitive than expected in a conservative state.
In PennsylvaniaDaniel McCaffery, a Democrat who ran for abortion rights, has won an open seat on the state Supreme Court, according to The Associated Press. Cherelle Parker, a Democrat and former City Council member, has been elected mayor of Philadelphia, according to The AP. She will become the first woman to lead the city.
Voting seemed to go smoothly in most places, but some problems were reported. In Hinds County, Miss., home to Jackson, the state capital, and a large number of Democratic voters, some precincts ran out of ballots. As a result, a judge extended voting hours in the county. In Northampton County, Pennsylvania, machines incorrectly registered some votes, and election officials had to help voters with solutions. In Jefferson County, Kentucky, voters in 17 precincts were unable to sign their names on electronic registration tablets.

Neil Viddor reporting contributed.