Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy cast their ballots in Middletown Tuesday morning after a jog, noting they were just the fourth and fifth voters to show up at their polling site. For the first time in state history, voters had three ways to cast a ballot this primary election season — early in person, by mail and on Election Day.
Almost 267,000 people statewide had voted before Tuesday — just over 246,000 via mail-in ballots and more than 20,000 who voted early in person. Despite the traditionally low turnout in primaries, the major parties hoped to bring in voters.
LeRoy Jones, who chairs the New Jersey Democratic Committee, said, “Gun control and reproductive rights; those are going to be the issues that are talked about. New Jersey has strong gun control laws, as well as reproductive rights privileges. But they are under attack.” Bob Hugin, who chairs the Republican State Committee, said, “Inflation is the number one priority. We hear about it every day. Affordability’s been a long-term issue in New Jersey, but inflation is a tax on all New Jerseyans.”
Polling places will be open until 8 p.m.
