As New Jersey prepares to head to the polls tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4, 2025, voters across the Garden State face a historic and consequential election that could set the tone for state and national politics in the coming year. Today, Monday, November 3, 2025, is the final day before the general election, and residents are weighing their options in a contest that spans gubernatorial, legislative, and local races, with the political stakes reaching far beyond state lines.
The 2025 ballot includes three major areas of contention. The headline race is for Governor, where Democratic nominee U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill faces Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a familiar contender and Trump ally. All 80 seats in the New Jersey General Assembly are up for grabs, with Democrats defending a 52-28 majority. In addition, voters will decide on an array of local and county offices, from municipal leaders to school board members, and may encounter localized questions, including fire district special elections in certain communities.
For those still navigating the final hours before Election Day, today is the absolute last opportunity to apply for a mail-in ballot in person at your County Clerk’s office, with a hard deadline of 3:00 p.m. The early voting period officially ended yesterday, Sunday, November 2, at 6:00 p.m., and same-day registration is no longer available, having closed on October 14. On Election Day, in-person polling locations across New Jersey will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., while completed mail-in ballots must either be postmarked by November 4 and received by November 10 or deposited in a secure ballot drop box or delivered to a County Board of Elections office by 8:00 p.m. Mail-in ballots cannot be returned to polling places.
At the center of this election is the governor’s race, a high-profile showdown drawing national attention. Sherrill, a four-term U.S. Representative and former Navy helicopter pilot, is vying to succeed term-limited Democratic Governor Phil Murphy. Her campaign emphasizes a blend of progressive policy, commitment to equality, and experience in federal and state governance. Ciattarelli, a former state Assemblyman, has built his campaign around economic issues, particularly tax policy, pledging to reverse what he describes as New Jersey’s punitive tax hikes driving residents out of the state. He has also positioned himself as a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, attempting to galvanize the Republican base as the state enters the first general election since Trump reclaimed the presidency. Analysts note that the results in New Jersey, alongside Virginia, could provide a bellwether for the 2026 midterm elections, highlighting voter sentiment toward the party in control of the White House.
Beyond the gubernatorial race, all 80 seats in the General Assembly are contested. Democrats aim to defend their majority while Republicans hope to make inroads by capitalizing on economic frustrations, taxation concerns, and public sentiment surrounding Trump’s influence in national and state politics. Voter engagement is high, with the combination of local races, the historic gubernatorial contest, and the national spotlight fueling turnout in both urban centers and suburban districts.
The broader political landscape amplifies the significance of this election. Across the country, voters are casting ballots in high-profile contests for governors, mayors, and legislatures. In Virginia, Democrats and Republicans are battling for control of the governor’s office, while New York City voters select a new mayor, with progressive candidates shaking up traditional political hierarchies. Meanwhile, California’s Proposition 50 seeks to redraw congressional district maps, a move that could shift multiple U.S. House seats and impact party balance nationally. These contests, along with state supreme court races like Pennsylvania’s retention vote for three Democratic justices, underscore a period of intense political activity in which the outcome in New Jersey is not merely local—it is symbolic.
Locally, Democratic candidates have focused on grassroots organization and community engagement, emphasizing the importance of New Jersey voters in shaping both state and national policy. U.S. Senator Andy Kim, alongside U.S. Senator Cory Booker, has actively campaigned for Sherrill, highlighting the candidate’s experience and integrity. In Burlington County, a political stronghold with a history of fierce engagement, Sherrill’s campaign has made inroads by connecting directly with voters, emphasizing work ethic, local roots, and pragmatic solutions to pressing challenges. Supporters describe Sherrill as a candidate who embodies decency, competence, and a forward-looking vision for New Jersey, capable of addressing economic inequality, protecting women’s rights, and preserving the state’s progressive traditions.
Speaking at a rally in Burlington, Senator Kim praised Sherrill’s campaign, framing the election as a critical moment not just for New Jersey but for the country. “This election is not just another race. It’s about where we draw the line on our values: decency, democracy, and the dignity of every person,” Kim declared. Alongside him, Rep. Herb Conaway and state leaders such as Senator Troy Singleton and Assemblywomen Carol Murphy and Andrea Katz echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the stakes in the broader national context. “What happens here will echo across this country,” Singleton stated, underscoring New Jersey’s role as a bellwether in the ongoing battle over Trump-era policies and the future direction of both state and federal governance.
Sherrill herself, arriving to the rally amid cheers and the strains of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run,” addressed the crowd with a message focused on history, progress, and the state’s role as a national leader in equality and civil rights. She invoked New Jersey’s past as the first state to pass anti-discrimination laws, highlighting the importance of standing up for working families, women, and the values that define the state’s diverse population. Her remarks painted the election as a referendum on leadership, integrity, and the ability to protect the public interest in a time of national uncertainty.
On the Republican side, Ciattarelli has made taxation the centerpiece of his campaign. He criticizes New Jersey’s high tax burden as a driving force behind population loss and economic stagnation, promising to implement policies that would reverse recent tax increases. Ciattarelli’s alignment with Trump continues to shape his message, framing the contest as part of a broader struggle over the influence of the former president and the future of the Republican Party in New Jersey and beyond.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots, every measure of participation—from early voting turnout to engagement in local campaigns—demonstrates the high stakes and intensity of the 2025 election. From Burlington County to urban centers like Newark and Jersey City, and in suburban districts across the state, New Jerseyans are weighing the candidates, policies, and broader political consequences of their decisions. The results tomorrow will not only determine who leads the state but will also send signals to national political operatives, activists, and policymakers as they prepare for the pivotal 2026 midterm elections.
For New Jersey residents seeking to stay informed about local, state, and national politics, resources are available to explore candidates, ballots, and polling information ahead of tomorrow’s election. Comprehensive coverage of New Jersey’s political landscape, candidates, and key issues can be found at Explore New Jersey Politics, ensuring voters have the information they need to make informed choices in this critical election year. The stakes are high, the energy is palpable, and the nation will be watching as the Garden State casts its votes.
