NJ election live updates: The latest from Murphy, Ciattarelli headquarters, live results – NorthJersey.com

Polls closed at 8 p.m. on an Election Day that asked voters to weigh in on another term for Gov. Phil Murphy, or a change in administration that would elect former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli to the state’s top post, along with a slew of municipal, county and school officials across New Jersey.

Voters also decided who will represent them in the statehouse and whether the state should expand college sports betting in New Jersey.

With Murphy seeking to make history by becoming the first Democratic governor in the state to win reelection in over 40 years and Ciattarelli looking to continue the trend of one-term ousting, there is sure to be a lot to follow as Tuesday rolls on.

We will update you here as key races are called. You can find election results for statewide, county and municipal races here.

Concern at Murphy headquarters as results roll in

The mood at the Murphy campaign’s headquarters was pensive late Tuesday night as the race was too close to call.

Ciattarelli was leading through the night, but Murphy was closing the deficit as more results came in after 11:30 p.m.

Supporters were waiting for more definite results from Essex and Bergen counties.

Still, some faithful standing near the front of the ballroom wore glum faces as they watched cable news results that appeared to favor Ciattarelli as more and more New Jersey districts reported results in the competitive race for governor.

While Murphy banners hung above the crowd projected the candidate’s optimistic message — Stronger, Fairer, Forward — some Democrats appeared to be bracing for the worst as the 11 p.m. hour began and, according to the Associated Press, Ciattarelli was building a lead. 

“We are still hopeful,” said Fern Wolkin, from Cedar Knolls, a member of Moms Demand Action, a gun control group, as she watched the CNN reports flash on stage.

“There are still precincts out there that are favorable to Democrats.”

Upbeat mood at Ciattarelli campaign headquarters

The mood at Ciattarelli’s campaign at the Bridgewater Marriott was celebratory as of 10:50 p.m. with results through the evening showing Ciattarelli in the lead

The room burst into cheers with each new results update. Diane Allen, Ciattarelli’s running mate, took the stage just after 11 p.m. and addressed the audience.

‘I’d stay around if I were you,” she told the crowd. “We’re being cautiously optimistic, but Jack is hanging in there!”

And as the night worn on, the mood inside the ballroom was a mix of mounting excitement with lip biting tension as voters huddle in groups and checked updates on their phone.

They were optimistic. The Steve Miller Band was pumping through the speakers and barring a few rows of chairs laid out for seniors, everyone was literally hopping from one foot to the other.

Bergen Dems subdued awaiting results

Those gathered at the Bergen County Democratic gathering in Hasbrouck Heights was subdued as early polling numbers showed the county incumbents behind in every race including clerk, sheriff and both board of commissioner seats.

Though Sheriff Anthony Cureton is still serving his first term, County Clerk John Hogan is running for his third and Commissioners Tracy Zur and Steven Tanelli were first elected in 2012. 

Dignitaries including Congressman Josh Gottheimer and the early leaders in the District 37 Senate and Assembly races Gordon Johnson, Ellen Park and Shama Haider took the stage as County Chairman Paul Juliano urged the crowd of more than 100 to remain calm and wait for the final numbers.

“We’re waiting for more numbers and the governor is in a dogfight but we’re going to wait and see,” he said.

Meanwhile about three dozen supports of Bridget Anne Kelly, Hogan’s opponent, gathered in Allendale to wait it out.

The crowd was jubilant and expectant each time her former colleague in Gov. Chris Christie’s administration, and Bridgegate co-conspirator, Bill Baroni updated those assembled with the latest numbers.

NJ Legislature races rolling in

Results from the state assembly and senate races are coming in. Check our district-by-district vote totals here. In addition to the latest tabulations for the public questions.

NJ election results 2021:Governor, Senate, Assembly race results

Tune into our live election broadcast at 9 p.m. 

The USA Today Network New Jersey will be providing an election live stream, where we’ll share results as they come in, provide analysis of this year’s key races and discuss the policies that will impact you and your family.

We’ll be broadcasting live from our studio as well as the campaign headquarters of Gov. Phil Murphy and challenger Jack Ciattarelli. 

You can watch at the player below at 9 p.m.

ACLU, League of Women Voters’ lawsuit fails

Polls on Election Day will close at 8 p.m. as scheduled after a Superior Court Judge dismissed a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey and League of Women Voters that sought an extension due to numerous issues with new voting machines in place this year. 

“I can’t find that anybody would be disenfranchised based on the evidence provided,” said Judge William Anklowitz.

He noted that the late hour of the hearing, which began after 6:30 p.m., “would cause such disarray as to call the integrity of the process into question.”

In their lawsuit, the ACLU of New Jersey and League of Women Voters detailed a series of issues plaguing polling locations this year, from issues with electronic poll book connecting to the Internet and poll workers refusing to admit voters while the issues were being sorted out.

In Paramus, a chance to catch up with neighbors

Shafeq Zarif came out to his local polling site Tuesday not for any one issue, but rather his yearly civic duty to have a say in his community.

“It’s our responsibility as a citizen to understand issues that are going on locally and nationwide,” said Zarif.

Not only was voting important to make your voice heard, but it was also a nice way to catch up with neighbors, said resident Carolyn Fox. Although Fox knew that early voting was in place this year, she was so used to coming on actual Election Day that she decided to make the trip out on Tuesday afternoon instead.

Montclair holds referendum on BOE

Larry Doby Jr. said the “big issue” in town this year is the school board referendum, in which residents are asked whether they support moving from an appointed school board to one elected by voters.

It is the sixth time the issue has been placed on a ballot since 1940.

“They’re trying to change something that has been that way for a long time,” Doby said, referring to Montclair’s status as one of only 3 percent of school districts in the state with a board of education appointed by the mayor.

Doby doesn’t know which is the best system but worries that the financial pressures of running a campaign will mean “people with money are the ones who get elected.”

“It’s a tough call,” Doby said. “I just hope the kids don’t suffer.”

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In Teaneck, residents decide two municipal referendums

A steady stream of residents took time out of their Tuesday afternoon to vote at the Richard Rodda Community Center in Teaneck. Many called it their civic duty while some referred to it as a privilege to participate in democracy.

The township has a contentious Board of Education election, as well as two municipal questions on the ballot, including one asking voters to approve a switch to a green energy supplier.

Don Wassum voted because he was concerned about the clean energy referendum. “We’ve tried this before and it’s just too expensive,” he said. “There is a real problem in the world but the people creating should be able to do it for people to afford.”

Other voters, including Laverne Lightburn, wanted to come because of how “nasty” the school board election was. She said she would like to see a return of the civil behavior that used to be present in town. She also supports the One Town One Vote initiative, which sponsored the first ballot question, regarding moving the township’s council election from May to November.

Early voting had a strong start in NJ

Even before polls opened Tuesday, tens of thousands of voters cast their ballots early.

This year marks the first time that New Jersey residents were able to vote early through in-person voting — which may have led to fewer people at the polls on Tuesday.

New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way said during a Monday press conference that, as of Sunday, 495,336 people voted with a mail-in ballot and 207,863 voted early at one of the 139 early voting locations.

The early voters were trending more Democratic than Republican, according to the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University.

Hot button issues drive voters

In Ramsey a ballot drop box outside the public library was seeing as much traffic as the voting booths inside.

Local voter John Sciabicia said he was against “CRT,” or critical race theory, being taught in the schools. CRT is an academic concept, which looks at how racism has affected history. The theory has become a hot button issue at the local school level. “I don’t want it taught here in Ramsey,” said Sciabicia, whose children attend Catholic schools.

Voters in other parts of North Jersey, including Ridgewood, also cited critical race theory as one of their concerns in this year’s elections.

In Wayne, a mix of issues brought out voters, but many said the local Board of Education race was at the top of the list.

Christine (who asked that her last name not be published) said she was voting for change on the state and school board level. As the mother of a 17-year-old high school student, she said, “It’s important that parents have a voice in what is taught in schools.”

Camille Ludwig, 84, said her opposition to the college gambling state question is what inspired her to vote. She said allowing residents to wager on college sports is a terrible idea and should be voted down.

Ridgewood’s first November election yields good turnout

In Ridgewood, which held its first November council election this year after decades of spring elections, cars were lined up for spots in the jammed library parking lot. Turnout was good, a poll worker said.

Voter Katie Lahey said she was primarily concerned about the top of the ticket. “I’m not a parent or anything,” she said, so didn’t feel as informed on local races.

First-time voter Dave Castro, on the other hand, had researched local candidates. He was interested in the regulations concerning masks and COVID vaccines in schools and public areas. He felt very strongly that the village downtown is “a centerpiece” and supported council candidate Paul Vagianos. 

Maureen Careri called this election a “crazy time” and thought critical race theory was being “pushed down our throats.” She said she votes a party line.

Another resident who gave her name as Kathleen said she voted early and was just stopping by the library. She thought residents got “good recompense” for their dime on property taxes.

Cynthia Fitzgerald, by contrast said, “I don’t see the value of the high taxes we pay,” and wanted a “more conservative fiscal approach” on the local school board.

Small town issues carry weight in Ringwood

Joseph Walker, Ringwood’s former chief of police, arrived at borough hall at about 8:30 a.m. to cast his ballot. A 12-year member of the Lakeland Regional High School Board of Education, which includes Ringwood and Wanaque, Walker was running unopposed for another three-year term on the board. Still, Walker said he was there to vote with other issues on his mind.

“Locally, my concern is radio issues in the police department,” he said. “We bought new radios a few years ago, but we need antennas.”

Walker, who was among a light stream of voters entering polling places in Ringwood, said interference among existing communications nodes requires an investment some local candidates running for re-election have not supported. Walker said he also had some concerns about growing representation by candidates affiliated with teachers’ unions on local boards of education.

“They’re pretty restricted in terms of what they can be involved with ethically,” he said. “I’m a union guy, always been a union guy, but right is right.”

In Wyckoff, voters’ concerns heard

There was a steady flow of voters at the polling place at Wyckoff Public Library.

After casting his ballot, Bob Skor said he was focused on the governor’s race because he feels “taxes are too high, and there’s too much spending of money on non-citizens.” He’s also worried about inflation.

Rich Brockel was happy to be voting in person on Election Day. He said early voting and mail-in voting is “not the same.” A retiree who cares about education, Brockel said his pension had been frozen for 10 years, even as the cost of living has gone up. He feels he’ll get that back under Gov. Phil Murphy.

Susan Gurak, a grandmother who voted while toting children’s books, said she believed it was time for a change in governor. The school board elections caught her interest, too. “I’ve been too complacent about it,” she said. “There’s a lot to be discovered.”

Amy Pressman, a pre-K teacher whose children are not in school anymore, was most concerned about COVID-19 mandates and vaccines.

In Sussex, confusion on where to vote

Election confusion began in Sussex County well before the polls even opened after residents of three areas in the county were sent sample ballots with an incorrect polling place location.

In a statement posted on the county Board of Elections’ website, the board said all residents of Andover Borough, and those in Frankford District 2 and Stanhope District 1, were affected by the error. They were later sent special notices with the correct information. However, alerts were posted online advising affected voters where to go.

Andover voters must go to the Senior Citizen/Community Center on Tranquility Road, according to the online notice. Frankford District 2 voters can vote at Frankford Firehouse No. 1 on Route 206, and Stanhope District 1 voters’ correct polling location is American Legion Post 278 on Route 183.

The notice was also posted on the Frankford and Stanhope municipal websites. Frankford attributed the error to “a glitch in the Board of Elections system.”

The mix-up comes a year after more than 1,600 previously uncounted ballots were discovered in a bin at the board office following the July primary election.

Although the misplaced ballots did not change the outcome of any contested races, the oversight caused the Board of Elections to announce several new protocols in the vote-counting process to prevent a repeat for the general election.

Meanwhile, at one of four polling locations in Hampton Township, with a population of around 5,000, voter traffic was light, but steady.

Poll takers inside the Baleville Congregational Church said it was “smooth sailing” as just over 100 residents had stopped by as of 12:30 p.m. 

Concerns over governor’s race

Just after the polls opened at 6 a.m., Billy Houston cast his ballot in Morris Plains, where dozens of people arrived before sunrise to vote in the tiny suburban community.

Houston, a 42-year-old project manager, husband and father of two elementary school children, said he voted for incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy, citing education and taxes as his top concerns. “I like the job the governor has been doing,” he said.

Others were not as happy with incumbent Murphy.

Brian Thorne, a 59-year-old engineer, cast his ballot for Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli. “I don’t like what’s happening in the state,” said Thorne, adding he felt Murphy was acting like a dictator and socialist. “Taxes are too high.”

There was an early computer glitch that caused delays at the polling location. A sign suggested masks were preferred, with about half of the voters donning masks in the first hour.

Margie Underhill, 64, was given a provisional ballot when poll workers could not find her registration for Election Day. She voted for Ciattarelli, citing taxes in New Jersey.

MaryBeth Dematteis, who voted at Forest Avenue School in Verona with her daughters Shea and Sofia, said the governor’s race is about “women’s rights and the right to choose.”

Turning to her daughter Shea, she said, “That’s your future.”

In Dover, voters head to polls

In nearby Dover, a diverse community in western Morris County, a slow trickle of voters headed to Dover High School in the morning hours. As voters walked to the polls, they passed candidates in tents.

Standing out in the cold, Board of Education candidate Daniella Mendez spoke with voters as they headed to cast their ballots. Mendez said her platform is about equity and inclusion, noting the LGBTQ+ community needs representation, especially local students. If elected, Mendez would be the first transgender woman in elective office in Morris County.

Some voters in Dover were turned off by the political mudslinging in this year’s elections.

Scott Miller, 58, a chief information officer and lifelong Dover resident, said he disliked the negative campaigning on both sides this year. He planned to split his vote between parties, declining to reveal who he is voting for.

Also in Dover, Gail Rodriguez, 70, said she voted for Ciattarelli because she thinks the state is headed in the wrong direction. “People of value are leaving” the state, said the retiree. “Taxes are high.”

Hogan, Kelly vote in person

Rather than vote early or by mail, John Hogan and Bridget Kelly, the candidates for Bergen County clerk, voted in person on Election Day.

Hogan, who voted in Northvale, and Kelly, who voted in Ramsey, are each seeking to be the official in charge of overseeing county elections.

Polls open across NJ

Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. That’s assuming you didn’t go for early voting this year. 

Where do I go to vote on Election Day?

If you’re not sure where your polling place is, the New Jersey state department has a tool to search for it. 

Key races

The race attracting the most attention is the governor’s race, with Murphy and Ciattarelli dominating the news cycle and the polls. But there are also three independent candidates on the ballot: Madelyn Hoffman, Joanne Kuniansky and Gregg Mele.

Every seat in the statehouse is also on the ballot, with 80 in the Assembly and 40 in the Senate.

There are also different municipal races throughout the state. That includes the Bergen County Clerk race, which pits incumbent Democrat John Hogan against Republican challenger Bridget Kelly, who was famously caught up in the Bridgegate scandal.

Also in Bergen County is the race for sheriff, in which Democratic incumbent Anthony Cureton is facing Republican challenger Robert Kugler, the police chief of Saddle Brook who has been indicted on corruption charges.

In Teaneck, voters will vote on a ballot question of whether to move the township’s municipal elections from May to November, as well as to start a renewable energy program.

Here’s an in-depth look at some of the key races to watch across the state. 

There are also two questions for voters to decide that require a constitutional amendment. 

The most significant is one asking whether to allow sports betting on college games played in New Jersey and by New Jersey teams. 

The other asks whether nonprofits should be able to use proceeds from games of chance, such as bingo and raffle tickets, to support their operations. Some nonprofits already do, but approval Tuesday would open it up to all. 

Is the post office open on Election Day?

Post offices in New Jersey will be open as usual, as Election Day is not a federal holiday. Mail will be delivered as normal. Same goes for FedEx and UPS. 

Staff writers Julia Martin, Mike Kelly, Katie Sobko, Krsitie Cattafi, Dave Zimmer, Jessie Gomez, Linda Voorhis, Lori Comstock, Mike Davis, Kyle Morel, Marsha Stoltz, Mary Chao, Melanie Anzidei and Liam Quinn contributed to this report.