Voters are heading to the polls coast to coast, but the White House is watching two races very closely. The Democratic governor of New Jersey is facing a big challenge from a GOP opponent, and the Republican candidate for governor in Virginia is leading in the polls.

This off-year election day is an early test of President Obama's political influence.

He campaigned in New Jersey for Jon Corzine, who's hoping to get re-elected as governor, but Corzine faces a big challenge from Republican Chris Christie and Independent candidate Chris Daggett.

In Virginia, he raised money and campaigned for Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate for governor, but heading into today's voting, Deeds is trailing Republican candidate Bob McDonnell.

The White House is watching the contest here in Virginia very closely.  In recent years, the state has been a toss up, electing both Democrats and Republicans. President Obama won it last year. Some analysts believe a GOP victory here could mean trouble ahead for the Democratic party, but CBS News Chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer argues it's too soon to read into tonight's results.

Schieffer said, "I don't think they're going to give us much of an indication of what's going to happen in the next presidential election. They'll just give us a snapshot of what's going on right now in two very different states."

Still, top White House aides are trying to shield the President from any possible political fallout from today's voting.

Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary, said, "I don't think that these elections will portend a lot for what happens in 2010."

Republicans disagree. They're hoping to chalk up some big wins today and use them to re-energize the party.

Courtesy of Joel Brown with CBS News