Early voting for the first time in a presidential election year lit up the polling places this weekend around New Jersey.
Today (Sunday) was the second day New Jersey voters could go to the polls following the advent of the process yesterday (Saturday). Voters turned out. Monmouth County alone was on pace to have processed an estimated 13,000 votes by the end of the weekend
In Somerset, the centerpiece of New Jersey’s most competitive congressional contest, featuring incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-7) against Democratic challenger Sue Altman, voters came and went from the municipal building at a brisk pace all afternoon.
While voters lined up outside polling places on a Sunday inevitably created a dramatic image, a somewhat less than dramatic reason contributed.
Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon cited the clerks’ use of new poll books and new procedures in part for the long lines extending outside polling places in some instances.
“The new technology is a lot slower than the old technology,” Hanlon said. “My biggest message through this whole general election cycle has been to remind people that the process will be slower.”
But it is also a presidential election year – the first since the implementation of early voting in 2021, which came on the heels of the COVID-era mail-in ballots – where clerks expect presential year turnout in the area of 80%.
Some people have not been to a polling location in a presidential election going back to 2016, let alone before election day.
Mostly driving turnout this year is the contest between Vice President Kamala Harris (D) and Republican nominee former President Donald J. Trump.
Harris will win blue New Jersey without difficulty. But:
A CBS News/YouGov poll showed Harris leading Trump nationally by 50%-49% among likely voters, slightly down from a 51%-48% advantage in mid-October, but well within the survey’s margin of error.
An ABC News/Ipsos poll showed Harris leading Trump by 51% to 47% among likely voters, in part to Harris’ advantage among women voters. The results are slightly outside the poll’s margin of error, +/-2.5 percentage points.
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Insider NJ recently reported on the early voting options available in New Jersey for the upcoming election. Early voting has become a popular choice for many voters who want to avoid long lines on Election Day and ensure their vote is counted.
In New Jersey, early voting is available at designated polling locations starting 10 days before the election. This allows voters to cast their ballots at their convenience, whether it be during the week or on weekends. The early voting period ends on the Sunday before Election Day.
One of the benefits of early voting is that it provides flexibility for those with busy schedules or who may not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day. It also helps to alleviate congestion at polling places on Election Day, making the voting process smoother for everyone involved.
To participate in early voting in New Jersey, voters must be registered and provide identification at the polling location. The process is similar to voting on Election Day, with voters filling out their ballots and submitting them in a secure manner.
Overall, early voting in New Jersey provides a convenient and accessible option for voters to make their voices heard in the upcoming election. It is important for all eligible voters to take advantage of this opportunity and participate in the democratic process.
