With nearly 3% of New Jersey residents already returning their vote-by-mail ballots, Acting Gov. Tahesha Way today celebrated the electorate’s participation in an off-year, low-turnout election.
“I’m happy to see there are about 244,000 VBMs that have been returned,” said Way, who is also Secretary of State and New Jersey’s top election officer. “We really feel as though our efforts at the Division of Elections – in terms of engagement – are bringing more awareness.”
Way said she’s partnering with county and local officials to explain how many ways there are to vote in the November 7 general election.
“New Jersey is seeing more vote-by-mail, October 28-November 5 early in-person voting, and of course Election Day,” Way said. “We’re happy about that.”
Democrats and Republicans have stressed the importance of voting by mail this year. And though voters of both parties are returning their ballots at similar rates, Democrats continue to have a significant edge: 57% of all VBM ballots were sent to registered Democrats, while only 18.5% were sent to registered Republicans.
Republicans are spending money to convince their base voters that vote-by-mail and early voting are safe and secure.
Turnout for elections where legislative candidates are the top-of-the-ticket traditionally yield fewer votes – that voters are returning their VBMs at such significant rates might suggest that this year might buck those historical trends.
While ensuring individuals vote is top-of-mind for Way, so too is making sure that polling locations are staffed.
Way, the lieutenant governor who is serving as the state’s chief executive while Gov. Phil Murphy is on an economic mission to East Asia, said that most counties were doing well in hiring and retaining poll workers. She stressed that the number of poll workers looks good but also acknowledged that some work needs to be done.
“We’re looking very well on that front,” Way said. “I know there are several counties which are still trying to get folks for their bench for the November 7 election, but the one thing the team is doing – at the Division of Elections – is making sure that we stay connected with these counties and also pushing out the pollworker.nj.gov site, where folks can go to for the information that reminds them that on November 7, they can get about $300.”
Counties still seeking poll workers include: Bergen, Camden, Cumberland, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, and Somerset.