Early Voting Kicks Off Amid Heated Gubernatorial Race and Federal Scrutiny in New JerseyVoters in New Jersey Begin Casting Ballots as Tensions Rise in Passaic County. New Jersey launched early in-person voting on Saturday, October 25, 2025, opening the doors for registered voters across the state to cast ballots ahead of the November 4 general election. With the gubernatorial race tightening, Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are locked in a contest that polls show is within the margin of error, making every vote crucial in the final days of the campaign. Early voting will continue through November 2 at designated polling locations across all 21 counties.
The gubernatorial contest has drawn national attention, particularly after former President Donald Trump held a tele-rally Friday night to endorse Ciattarelli. Trump praised the Republican candidate while criticizing Sherrill’s energy policies, signaling a high-stakes, closely watched race. Polls released in recent days underscore the uncertainty: the Rutgers-Eagleton poll placed Sherrill slightly ahead by five points, while a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll showed a seven-point lead—both figures within statistical margins of error.
Complicating the political landscape, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it will deploy election monitors to Passaic County, following a request from the New Jersey Republican State Committee. The DOJ’s stated goal is to ensure transparency and ballot security, particularly regarding vote-by-mail procedures. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin condemned the move as “highly inappropriate,” emphasizing that the state’s Department of Law and Public Safety is fully capable of overseeing election integrity. State officials are mobilizing divisions within LPS to provide support at polling sites, monitor early voting, and address any legal concerns related to voting rights under state law.
Local Democratic leaders, including East Orange Mayor Ted Green and State Senator Benjie Wimberly, have mobilized community engagement efforts to counter perceived federal overreach. Wimberly recalled past instances where aggressive challenges to voting procedures had the unintended effect of energizing local voters, and he believes current federal interventions may similarly motivate residents to participate. Similarly, Mayor Green and Democratic nominee Sherrill have held rallies across the state, including in Paterson, to galvanize voters and emphasize the importance of protecting voting rights.
The stakes extend beyond the gubernatorial race. Statewide attention is also focused on legislative contests, with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission reporting that this year’s Assembly primaries were the costliest in state history. Voter engagement initiatives, including the New Jersey Ballot Bowl and Rutgers University’s Student Mock Election, are highlighting the role of young voters in shaping the political landscape. A notable ballot measure on transportation funding is also drawing attention, as the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce advocates for a constitutional amendment dedicating gas tax revenue exclusively to infrastructure projects.
The DOJ’s involvement in Passaic County has sparked debate over federal authority, voting rights protections, and the potential influence on local turnout. Civil rights lawyers and elected officials are watching closely, citing concerns about intimidation or disruption at the polls. The Voter Protection Initiative, a statewide effort under the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and the Law Against Discrimination, is actively monitoring early voting and will be present on Election Day to ensure that all eligible voters can cast their ballots freely and without interference.
As New Jerseyans begin casting ballots, the convergence of tight races, federal scrutiny, and energized community engagement underscores the critical importance of participation. Voters in urban centers, particularly in historically Democratic strongholds like Passaic and Essex counties, are preparing for a weekend of early voting rallies and outreach efforts aimed at ensuring high turnout and protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
For ongoing updates on election developments, gubernatorial polling, and state political news, explore more at Explore New Jersey Politics.
New Jersey’s election season has never been more high-stakes, with every vote potentially tipping the balance in a closely contested race, while federal interventions add an unprecedented layer of scrutiny and urgency for voters, candidates, and local election officials alike.
