Early results show that there were no more than 35% of the New Jersey electorate that actually got out there and voted today. You can count me as one of the 65% that did NOT vote today. I did not go to the ballot box in some form of protest – I didn’t vote because I have to drive an hour and a half to Mount Arlington to cast my vote and then an hour and a half back. Not happening…especially when there are no national or statewide candidates on the ballot!
That said, it looks like nothing new happened in New Jersey. Of course, I am writing this about 30 minutes after the polls have closed, but it looks like the exit polling shows no major change in any of the races. My hometown of Mount Arlington had no change in local elected officials. My State Senator (Anthony Bucco) won re-election, too.
The only two folks that I hope did NOT win tonight are Senator Ellen Karcher, a Democrat from Monmouth County (my current place of residence) and Candidate Joe Hughes, a Republican from West Long Branch. Hughes is the gentleman who is dead set against Monmouth University advancement in any form that imposes on his concept of what their boundaries should be. And Karcher waged what I believe was an unethical campaign in 2004 to win her seat from then Senate President John O. Bennett – someone (who I consider a friend) that was thrown under the bus in that election by a biased media.
In any event, it seems that there are just fewer and fewer people who are voting in these local elections. What a shame. The following is from an Asbury Park Press article on this topic:
Why the disconnect between prospective voters and actually voting?
“Life is complicated and this is not important to me and I’m busy,” said Ingrid Reed, director of the New Jersey Project at Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute of Politics, describing some of the reasons why people don’t vote.
Reed said the Garden State’s well-deserved reputation for political corruption is turning some voters off.
She added most voters don’t know which legislative district they live in, making for very little interest in an election topped by the state Legislature.
Turnout tends to be higher in elections with a statewide or national office up for vote. In 2003, the last time the Legislature topped the ballot, only 34 percent of eligible voters cast ballots.
It’s generally believed that voter turnout is higher when the weather is good. Tuesday’s morning showers probably did not help.
This article, written by the Associated Press, is probably right on here. Who wants to partake in a system that really doesn’t help the end-users equally around the state? That’s how it is in New Jersey – you vote for a candidate that you think will bring change and then you get more of your tax dollars pumped into Newark, Camden, Trenton, and other areas where it is apparently needed more than your pocket.
Ah…New Jersey.
Why aren’t you registered where you live? When I lived in GA I was registered there and voted regularly. BTW Bennett seemed to abuse the temporary Governor status he had in that week, and I recall a double billing and pardon scandal. Karcher can be accused of some things but scandals are not part of them.
I’m not registered in Deal because I never planned on living there. Plus, since I’ve been in the “area” since 1999, I’ve lived in West Long Branch, Long Branch, Deal, Ocean Township, and Asbury Park. As late as last April I was looking to move again and when February/March gets here – chances are the process will begin all over again.
That said, I do make it up to Roxbury to vote for the big elections.
A lot of what people know about Bennett and the double-billing and abuse of power is fabricated information pumped up through the Norcross Money Machine. Having spoken with the man at length about these things and having dealt with him at the time when the press was attacking him, I am confident that not only was there no intent of wrong-doing, but that the political system in New Jersey is shot.