Early voting numbers in New Jersey are sending shockwaves through the political landscape, with Republicans showing a surprising surge in in-person voting. While Democrats still hold the lead in vote-by-mail ballots, the early in-person voting data reveals a trend that could potentially shake up the traditional blue state status of New Jersey.
According to data analyzed by an Associated Press elections researcher, Republican early in-person voters have taken the lead in the state, with 144,105 GOP votes cast compared to Democrats’ 139,524 votes as of Tuesday. This shift has caught the attention of both parties, and Jack Ciattarelli, the New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate, believes it reflects a growing trend of Republican voter engagement.
“What we’re seeing is phenomenal. Republicans are finally embracing the opportunity to vote early. The return rate on vote by mail ballots has been fantastic. Local Republican organizations are doing a great job in getting the word out,” Ciattarelli expressed on “Fox & Friends First” on Wednesday.
This trend might be attributed to the influence of former President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about the importance of early voting and has encouraged his supporters to cast their ballots early. Trump’s campaign rallies in New Jersey, including a massive one on Wildwood beach in May, have likely contributed to this surge in Republican early voting.
Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan University Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship, believes Trump’s message has resonated with voters. “First, former President Trump has told his supporters to vote early. So, I think, when all the numbers are considered, we will see a shift among Republicans from voting on Election Day to voting early in person,” Dworkin told NJ.com.
This surge in early Republican voting has sparked hope among GOP candidates, who are now looking at the possibility of a competitive election in New Jersey, a state that hasn’t voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988.
Ciattarelli expressed his optimism for the upcoming elections, stating, “New Jersey is not a deep blue state. We can win here and and I do think Donald Trump’s going to do that as well as our US Senate candidate, our congressional candidates, and many of our local candidates.”
With less than a week to go before Election Day, it’s still too early to predict the final outcome. However, the early voting numbers in New Jersey provide a glimpse into the potential shift in voter behavior and the competitive nature of the 2024 election cycle.
