Nearly 1 Million New Jersey Residents Vote Early in Gubernatorial Election

As of Friday, nearly 1 million New Jersey residents have cast their ballots early in the gubernatorial election, according to data from polling company Rasmussen. The breakdown by party affiliation shows approximately 514,500 Democrats, 279,000 Republicans, and 177,000 unaffiliated or independent voters have participated so far.

Political analyst Micah Rasmussen interprets these figures as indicating a clear advantage for Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill over Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli at this stage. However, he cautions against dismissing Ciattarelli's chances, emphasizing the competitiveness of the race. Rasmussen notes that Ciattarelli would need a substantial turnout from Republican voters and support from unaffiliated voters to surpass Sherrill.

Ciattarelli, who voted on Friday, expressed confidence in his campaign, highlighting increased Republican voter participation and his appeal to undecided voters. He attributed voter dissatisfaction to the policies of outgoing Governor Phil Murphy, suggesting that Sherrill represents a continuation of those policies.

Sherrill has sought to distance herself from Governor Murphy, particularly on issues like energy costs. She has criticized the administration for rising energy prices and proposed freezing rates if elected.

The gubernatorial race has attracted national attention, with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg attending a press conference with Sherrill on Thursday, and former President Barack Obama scheduled to campaign for her on Saturday. Sherrill expressed optimism about the momentum of her campaign, citing early voting trends.

Ciattarelli, while acknowledging support from President Donald Trump through virtual events and robocalls, downplayed the significance of high-profile endorsements, emphasizing the importance of the candidates themselves in the race.

Rasmussen observed that Trump's absence from in-person campaigning in New Jersey appears to be a strategic decision, considering his polarizing effect among voters.