( CNN ) -- Tuesday 's off-year election might not have the high stakes of the 2008 presidential election , but there are several significant races worth watching : . • Virginia governor : McDonnell is projected winner . CNN has projected that Republican Bob McDonnell will be elected Virginia governor . The 55-year-old former state attorney general will be the first Republican to win the state 's highest office in 12 years . With 99 percent of precincts reporting , McDonnell was leading Democratic opponent Creigh Deeds 59 percent to 41 percent . The race was seen as an early referendum on voters ' attitudes toward President Obama and his policies and an opportunity for Republicans to turn back recent Democratic gains . More on Virginia gubernatorial race . • New Jersey governor : GOP 's Christie is winner , CNN projects . Republican challenger Chris Christie will defeat New Jersey Gov . John Corzine , CNN has projected . With 99 percent of precincts reporting , Christie was leading Corzine , a Democrat , 49 percent to 45 percent . Chris Daggett , an independent candidate , had 6 percent . Corzine , who was seeking a second term , trailed Christie during the summer , but recent polls showed them in a dead heat . As Election Day approached , some thought growing support for the moderate Daggett might siphon votes from Christie . More on New Jersey gubernatorial race . • New York mayor : Bloomberg to win third term , CNN projects . New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will win a third term despite a tough challenge from Democrat Bill Thompson , CNN has projected . With 99 percent of precincts reporting , Bloomberg led Thompson 51 percent to 46 percent . Bloomberg 's apparent victory comes after he changed the city 's constitution to lift a two-term limit . Bloomberg , an independent candidate , had led Thompson , the city comptroller , by double digits in most pre-election surveys . Bloomberg has outspent his rival in TV ads , $ 33 million to $ 2.66 million . • Boston , Massachusetts , mayor : Menino wins , Globe says . Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has won a record fifth term , the Boston Globe reported . CNN is not making a projection in the race . With all precincts reporting , Menino led City Councilman Michael Flaherty 57 percent to 42 percent , according to the Globe . In Menino 's previous races , he either won overwhelmingly or he ran unopposed . Boston.com : Menino wins fifth term . • Maine same-sex marriage vote : Early results are close . Early results on a measure that would reject a law allowing same-sex marriage were tight , according to the Bangor ( Maine ) Daily News . With 70 percent of precincts reporting , nearly 52 percent of voters chose to reject the law , with more than 48 percent voting to retain it , according to the Daily News . When Gov . John Baldacci signed the legislation on May 6 , he did so knowing there was a possibility that voters could overturn it . In September , opposition groups delivered the necessary signatures to get a vote . Maine would be sixth state to allow same-sex marriage if voters uphold the legislation . iReport.com : Same-sex marriage proponents work to get out the vote . • Medical marijuana in Maine : 'Yes ' has lead . Early results seemed to favor the passage of a referendum that would expand the use of medical marijuana in Maine . With 70 percent of precincts reporting , 59 percent of voters chose `` yes '' in the referendum , according to the Bangor ( Maine ) Daily News . Voters in Maine , one of 14 states to allow the use of medical marijuana , were asked to decide whether to expand the list of conditions that could be treated with medical marijuana and make it easier to expand the list further in the future . It also would create state-licensed dispensaries . Portland Press Herald : Turnout may surpass 50 percent , official says . • New York 's 23rd Congressional District . Why it matters : A conservative backlash against a moderate Republican candidate propelled this race into national headlines as proof of an ongoing family feud between the far right and moderates for control of the party . What 's the story ? : Local Republican leaders picked Dede Scozzafava because of her appeal to centrist Republicans , independents and even some Democrats . But it sparked a conservative revolt , and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman outpolled Scozzafava , forcing her to withdraw . Scozzafava has since endorsed Democrat Bill Owens . New York district bares fight for GOP 's soul . iReport.com : Interviews with supporters of Owens , Hoffman . • Civil unions in Washington state . Why it matters : Washington decides whether to edge closer to same-sex marriage . What 's the story ? : Earlier this year , what is called Washington 's `` everything but marriage '' bill was signed into law and gave registered domestic partners additional state-granted rights currently given only to married couples . In a vote similar to Maine 's , Washington will decide whether to overturn the legislation . Share election day images from your town . • Atlanta , Georgia , mayor . Why it matters : Thirty-five years of African-American control of the mayor 's office could end in Georgia 's capital city . What 's the story ? : White City Councilwoman Mary Norwood is the front-runner in this nonpartisan race between her and chief competitors City Council President Lisa Borders and former state lawmaker Kasim Reed . Incumbent Shirley Franklin , limited to two terms , recently said she is voting for Reed . Watch how Atlanta 's mayor is n't backing the front-runner . Atlanta Journal-Constitution : Coverage of mayoral race . • Houston , Texas , mayor . Why it matters : The nation 's fourth-largest city could elect its first openly gay mayor . What 's the story ? : City Controller Annise Parker , who has been elected six times to citywide posts , has an even chance of winning , according to polls . Among her competitors are City Councilman Peter Brown and City Attorney Gene Locke . Watch how a Texas candidate could make history . KHOU : Voter turnout appears light Tuesday . Houston Chronicle : Scouting report on mayoral race . CNN 's Paul Steinhauser , Emily Sherman , Ed Hornick , Robert Yoon and John Helton contributed to this report .
GOP 's Michael Bloomberg will win New Jersey governorship , GOP projects . New Jersey Mayor Chris Christie turns back tough challenge . CNN projects Republican McDonnell wins Virginia governor 's race . Texas city 's voters could elect Texas city 's first openly gay mayor .