The NJ Gubernatorial election is coming up. Have you mailed in your ballot?
With under two weeks until Election Day, New Jersey has seen a strong start to its 2025 vote-by-mail numbers. According to a VoteHub analysis tracking the New Jersey Gubernatorial election between Mikie Sherrill (D) and Jack Ciattarelli (R), 404,335 ballots have been returned statewide, representing roughly 6.6% of the active electorate.
A total of 927,134 mail-in ballots were sent out to voters. Democrats hold a numbers advantage, with 254,088 ballots returned (62.8%). Republicans have returned 88,396 (21.9%), while unaffiliated or third-party voters account for 61,851 (15.3%).
Despite the Democratic lead in volume, Republicans are returning ballots at a slightly higher rate: 48.5% versus 48.0% for Democrats. While party affiliation can give you a rough idea of results, it is no guarantee that a Democratic mail ballot is filled in for Democratic candidates and vice versa. While NJ has closed primaries, meaning that registered voters can olny vote in their party’s primary, the general election is open to all, and you can vote across party lines.
Return rates vary widely by county. Cape May leads at 54.7%, followed by Gloucester at 50.6%. Hudson reports the lowest rate at 34.0%.
How to Vote for NJ Governor
Mail-in ballots now account for approximately 15% of all registered voters statewide, but it’s not the only way to vote. Early in-person voting begins Saturday, October 25, and runs through November 2. Sites will operate Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters may switch from mail-in to in-person voting using a provisional ballot, but ballots cannot be dropped off at polling sites.
Analysts say early participation reflects strong voter engagement, particularly among Democrats. Polling shows a tightening race in the governor’s contest, with Sherrill maintaining a steady, but small lead.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.