What is the election?
New Jerseyans are electing their 57th governor on Nov. 4, who will serve the next four years.
Registration deadline has passed:
Prospective voters had to register by Oct. 14.
To register online, voters needed a valid driver’s license, identification card or their social security number.
Where and when to vote:
Voters in New Jersey have many options for voting in this upcoming election.
The standard manner of voting is on Election Day, Nov. 4, at a designated voting site in the county where they are registered.
Polling places are set to open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Early voting starts Oct. 25 and runs for nine days. Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with Sunday hours ending at 6 p.m.
Those who cannot vote in person can submit mail-in ballots. Registered voters must request a ballot by Oct. 28 and return the completed ballot by Nov. 4.
Ballots can be returned to a county’s board of elections office, at designated secure drop-off boxes or by mail.
Who are the candidates?
The Democratic nominee is Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, who has represented the state’s 11th congressional district since 2018. She is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor.
Sherrill has made affordability a priority, stating in the Sept. 21 gubernatorial debate that she would declare a state of emergency on utility costs “on day one.”
Sherrill is also focused on addressing mental health and education, advocating for the Kids Online Safety Act to protect adolescents online and encouraging the creation of county-based school systems to improve access to quality education.
The Republican nominee is Jack Ciattarelli, who served in the state Assembly from 2011 to 2018 and ran for governor in 2021.
Ciattarelli graduated from Seton Hall, earning his bachelor’s in accounting and his master’s in business administration (MBA). He worked as an adjunct professor at SHU from 1998 to 2001.
Ciattarelli has emphasized affordability as well, pledging to lower taxes and electricity bills. He said he would cap property taxes and freeze them for seniors over the age of 70.
Immigration is another focus of Ciattarelli’s. He has called for the repeal of the Immigrant Trust Directive and the abolishment of sanctuary cities in New Jersey, stating that they restrict safety.
Megan Pitt is the head editor of The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at megan.pitt@student.shu.edu.
Kaelyn Blizard is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at kaelyn.blizard@student.shu.edu.
