There’s a lot at stake in Tuesday’s elections.

New York City’s next mayor will confront issues of homelessness, affordable housing and policing. The next governor of New Jersey could tip control of the state from a Republican to a Democrat. And across the region, after an eruption of municipal corruption episodes, people are paying close attention to their choices.

Times reporters have been writing for months about the candidates’ records and their promises to voters. For those who haven’t kept up, here’s a rundown of what you need to know before heading into the voting booth.

New York City Mayor

One of the biggest achievements of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s first term was the creation of universal pre-K for 4-year-olds, a program that took much pressured, fast-paced planning on the mayor’s part. (It should come as no surprise that one of his central promises for a second term is free, full-day preschool for all 3-year-olds.)

The mayor, a Democrat, is also trying to preserve or create thousands of affordable housing units, though some people are angry about his rezoning plans. And with murders standing at a historic low, he has preached a plan to create a friendlier, more neighborhood-focused police force, while facing criticism for the slowness of some public safety reforms.