21st district VBMs appear to strongly favor Democrats

Democrats in the 21st district returned 1,345 more vote-by-mail ballots than Republicans, a huge advantage that could be a harbinger of a tough night for Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield).

As of early this morning, 4,307 Democrats (47.7%) cast VBM ballots in the district, compared to 2,962 Republicans (32.8%) and 1,755 Unaffiliated voters that are sometimes labeled as Independents.

In total, 44%.8% of all VBMs mailed to 21st district voters have already been returned.   Mail-in ballots will be counted as long as they are postmarked by today and arrive at the county Board of Elections offices by close of business on Thursday.

Bramnick and Minority Whip Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) face Democrats Lisa Mandelblatt and Stacey Gunderman and Independent Conservatives Martin Marks and Harry P. Pappas.

Some Republicans worry that Marks, a former Scotch Plains mayor, and Pappas will act as spoilers for Bramnick and Munoz.