The upcoming New Jersey gubernatorial election featuring Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli is garnering national attention. Due to recent election reforms, voters might experience quicker results than in prior years.
Voting Reforms in New Jersey
In 2022, outgoing Governor Phil Murphy approved a series of voting reform laws. Notably, these laws allow mail-in ballots to be counted up to five days before Election Day. This change was introduced after Murphy’s narrow victory over Ciattarelli in the 2021 election, which delayed results until the following day.
- Mail-in ballots can be counted earlier.
- The reforms aim to expedite the vote counting process.
Previous Election Dynamics
During the 2021 election, Ciattarelli led the initial count on election night. However, as mail-in ballots were counted, Murphy took the lead by morning. The 2023 election marks the first time New Jersey will implement these reforms in a gubernatorial race.
The Candidates and Their Campaigns
Mikie Sherrill, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, won the Democratic primary this year. Her campaign highlights include:
- Codifying abortion rights.
- Opposing the Trump administration’s policies.
Jack Ciattarelli, a businessman and former state legislator, is making his third bid for the governorship. He aims to challenge the Democrats’ dominance in New Jersey. Key issues in his campaign revolve around:
- Affordability for residents.
- Restoring Republican influence in the state.
Current Polling and Expectations
Recent polls suggest a competitive race, with some showing narrow margins between the candidates. Analysts like Micah Rasmussen from the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics noted that the quick results during the primary were a significant improvement compared to previous elections.
As the election date approaches, early in-person voting has concluded. Voters are urged to stay informed about the election results, which will be announced on Tuesday.
