After a tumultuous primary season, New Jersey voters will decide on several federal office contests across the state in the general elections on November 5. Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump, and seven other candidates will compete for the 14 Electoral College votes awarded by the state in the race to replace outgoing President Democrat Joe Biden. New Jersey has favored Democrats in presidential elections since 1992. There are also four independent candidates.
Since 2000, Democrats have had an average margin of victory of about 12 points in New Jersey's federal Senate elections. Early counts released on election day are expected to be a combination of early votes. In 2020, Biden won the state with 57% of the votes; in 2016, Hillary Clinton did so with 55%. Approximately 38% are Democrats, 24% are Republicans, and 37% are unaffiliated.
In the 2020 presidential election, about 70% of registered voters cast their ballots. Additionally, it is notable that in 2020, around 93% of the total votes were cast before election day. In 2022, this trend continued with around 30% of the total votes cast before election day.
Uncounted votes on election night may average around 5% or 6%, with a higher percentage for some specific counties. The urban north is the most Democratic region of the state, while the northwest is the most Republican.
Regarding the elections on November 5, polls will close at 8 PM Eastern Time. The state’s Electoral College votes will be assigned to the winner of the presidential contest, which includes several candidates from different parties. In addition, there will be contests for the federal Senate and the United States House of Representatives in which various candidates will participate.
Among the prominent candidates, Democrat Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw compete for the seat left vacant by former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez. Kim has served as a legislator for the 3rd District for three terms, while Bashaw is a hotelier from southern New Jersey and a first-time candidate.
