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New Jersey voters have turned out in record numbers for early voting, with more than one million ballots cast ahead of Election Day. On the final day of early voting, over 139,700 voters cast their ballots at the state's 159 polling places, according to state officials. This surge in early voting has led to long lines at some polling centers, with wait times ranging from 40 minutes to over an hour and a half.
The early voting period, which opened on October 26, saw a total of 632,843 voters cast their ballots in the first five days alone, according to Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way. This figure, combined with mail-in ballots, means that roughly 20% of the state's registered voters have had their ballots accepted as of early Thursday morning.
Despite the long lines, many voters have embraced early voting for its convenience and flexibility. It allows individuals to choose a convenient time to vote, especially if work or personal schedules conflict with Election Day. If there is an issue at the polls, early voting gives voters the option to return later.
According to the University of Florida's Election Lab, the uptick in early voting can be attributed to both parties embracing the practice. This year's early voting totals have surpassed those of both the 2012 and 2016 elections.
Despite the surge in early voting, some voters have expressed concerns about mail-in ballot tampering and delivery delays. However, as of Thursday, 689,453 mail-in ballots have been received by New Jersey election officials.
Polls will be open on Election Day from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.