New Jersey voters have headed to the polls today for the June 10 primary election, with Democrat Mikie Sherill and Trump-backed Republican Jack Ciattarelli leading the pack in online surveys for their parties’ nominations.
Surveys aside, all eyes will be on the polls today as the race for governor heats up in the Garden State, with 11 candidates — six Democrats and five Republicans — vying for their party’s nomination. New Jersey and Virginia are the only states holding elections for governor this year, with Garden State candidates looking to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy.
The race should prove interesting as Republicans and Democrats have evenly split holding the title of governor over the past century in New Jersey, with 13 Republican governors and 13 Democratic governors since 1925.
Here’s everything to know about why Jersey residents are voting, who they are voting for, what a primary election is, when polls close and more.
Why is NJ voting today? What is NJ voting for today?
The New Jersey primary election is taking place today, Tuesday, June 10. Voters who did not vote by mail or by early voting will head to their designated polling location to cast a ballot for the hotly contested race for governor.
Who’s the NJ governor candidates? Who’s going to win NJ primary?
Democratic candidates for NJ governor
-
Steve Sweeney: Former state Senate president
-
Sean Spiller: President of the New Jersey Education Association, former Montclair mayor
-
Steven Fulop: Jersey City mayor
-
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer
Republican candidates for NJ governor
-
Jack Ciattarelli: GOP’s 2021 gubernatorial nominee, former state assemblyman
-
Jon Bramnick: State senator
-
Bill Spadea: Former conservative talk radio host
-
Justin Barbera: Burglington County contractor
-
Mario Kranjac: Attorney and former Englewood Cliffs mayor.
We won’t know who will get their parties’ nomination until official results come out, but early polling from Emerson College, PIX11 and The Hill show Ciattarelli holding a clear lead among Republican candidates, with support from 44% of New Jersey Republicans. Mikie Sherill held favor from 28% of registered New Jersey Democrats, with Fulop, Baraka and Gottheimer even at 11%.
What is a primary election? What is closed, semi closed primary?
A primary election is held to determine which candidates will run in an upcoming general election. Primaries may be closed (partisan), allowing only declared party members to vote, or open (nonpartisan). It is semi-closed in New Jersey, meaning Democrats and Republicans can only vote for their party’s nominee to run in the general election. Unaffiliated voters can register as Democrat or Republican while voting in person.
How to vote in NJ
In order to vote in NJ, you must be a U.S. citizen, reside in a NJ county 30 days before the election and not serve a sentence of incarceration as a result of a conviction of an indictable offense in any U.S. state. You can register to vote at the age of 17, but you cannot vote until you reach the age of 18.
Where do I vote NJ? NJ polling locations
If you can vote in New Jersey, your polling location can be found printed on your sample ballot sent by your county. You can also find your polling location by using the New Jersey Division of Elections online search using your address and zip code.
Can I still register to vote in NJ?
Not for the primary election. May 20 was the voter registration deadline for the June 10 primary in New Jersey.
What time do polls open in NJ today? What time do polls close in NJ today?
Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. for in-person voting today, June 10. Voters in line at 8 p.m. will still be allowed to vote.
NJ primary results: When will NJ election results come out?
During the 2024 presidential election in New Jersey, incomplete results started to come in shortly after the 8 p.m. poll closure across several counties. Counties often pushed out updated numbers throughout the evening and into the next morning. Many results may not be complete for several hours but be sure to keep an eye on USA TODAY Network for the latest numbers.
When is the November election?
November general elections will be held in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia on Nov. 4, 2025.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Is there a NJ election today? Is the voting in NJ today for governor?
