New Jersey Primary Election Polls Now Open: See Governor Candidates, Other Races, Where to Vote
New Jersey voters are at the polls today for the gubernatorial primaries that will shape both Democratic and Republican nominations. With key candidates vying for Murphy’s open seat and issues like immigration and costs of living at stake, the race reflects wider national sentiments. Early voting ran from June 3-8, with polls open until 8 p.m. today, signaling a pivotal day in state politics.
New Jersey voters are casting their ballots in the Democratic and Republican primaries for governor today, a competition that may reveal public sentiment towards President Trump’s policies, while also reflecting what Democratic voters expect from their leaders in challenging times. Notably, New Jersey is one of only two states holding a gubernatorial election this year, the other being Virginia. With two-term Democratic Governor Phil Murphy unable to run again, the open seat adds further intrigue to today’s election. Murphy, who made history by being the first Democrat reelected in over 40 years in 2021, has not backed any candidates in the primary race.
The Democratic primary is packed with a six-way contest, featuring notable figures like U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, as well as Jersey City’s Mayor Steven Fulop, Newark’s Mayor Ras Baraka, Sean Spiller—president of the New Jersey Education Association and former Montclair Mayor, and former Senate President Steve Sweeney. Currently, Gottheimer leads in fundraising with approximately $9.1 million, closely followed by Sherrill and Fulop, who have about $8.9 million each. Yet, polls indicate Sherrill may be slightly ahead.
Immigration is prominently featured in this campaign. In May, Newark’s Mayor Baraka had a trespassing case dropped against him after a protest against a new federal immigration detention center. On the Republican side, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is vying again for the governorship, following his nearly successful 2021 nomination attempt against Murphy. Running alongside him are state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former mayor Mario Kranjac, talk radio host Bill Spadea, and contractor Justin Barbera.
Ciattarelli has received a significant boost from Trump’s endorsement earlier this month and a virtual rally held recently. Interestingly, Bramnick is the sole candidate in the GOP primary openly critical of Trump. All the other Republicans voice strong support for Trump’s policies, including aims to create a New Jersey version of the Department of Government Efficiency, eliminate sanctuary policies, and repeal a law restricting single-use plastic bags.
The candidate has pledged to take immediate action to end New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which limits police cooperation with federal immigration authorities, with an intention to halt lawsuits against Trump’s administration. In the statewide landscape of primaries, the four biggest counties—Bergen, Middlesex, Essex, and Hudson—tend to heavily influence Democratic voting, while Ciattarelli performed strongly in the last Republican primary, topping the votes across all counties.
Aside from the gubernatorial race, all 80 seats in the state General Assembly are on the ballot this year, though only 25 districts face competitive races. Voters can select up to two candidates per district, with two winners emerging from each race, although Democrats hold a solid majority in the chamber. Meanwhile, state Senate seats will not be up until 2027.
As both parties gear up for the general elections, they aim to appeal to a populace frustrated by economic volatility. Democrats are likely to focus on the unpopularity of many elements of Trump’s aggressive agenda while Republicans attribute state economic challenges to eight years under Democratic leadership. Historically, New Jersey has leaned Democratic for federal elections, but the state’s gubernatorial races have swung back and forth, with the last three GOP governors all securing second terms.
Currently, Democrats have the highest number of registered voters in New Jersey, followed closely by independents, with Republicans trailing by around 800,000 registrations. However, the Republicans have gradually reduced the Democrats’ previous lead of over a million registrations.
The New Jersey primary election is scheduled for June 10, 2025, with polling hours running from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters who are still in line at the time polls close are allowed to vote. Registered party members can only vote in their respective party’s primary, but independent voters have the option to participate in either. Voters can locate their polling place and track mail-in ballots through the New Jersey Division of Elections’ website. In the previous presidential election, initial results started coming in right after polls closed, with vote counting completed in the early morning hours of the following day. Citizens can keep an eye on election results through the NBC New York website and app.
Today’s primary elections in New Jersey present critical contests for both parties, influencing the future of gubernatorial leadership in the state. Voter turnout will reveal how constituents respond to national politics under Trump’s influence, as key issues such as taxes and cost of living are at play. As New Jersey navigates this electoral process, candidates—especially Democrats—face crucial challenges in maintaining their foothold amidst fluctuating public sentiment. With the primaries setting the stage for an upcoming election battle, the state’s political landscape is certainly one to watch.
Original Source: www.nbcnewyork.com
