NEW JERSEY — November 1, 2026 — New Jersey voters are heading into the final day of early in-person voting today, Sunday, with Democrats maintaining a substantial advantage over Republicans in ballots cast ahead of Tuesday’s general election.
More than one million New Jersey residents had already voted by the latest combined count reported by the New Jersey Globe, reflecting strong participation ahead of the November 3 election.
Early voting locations across the state will remain open today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., giving voters one final opportunity to cast their ballots before Election Day.
Democrats Expand Their Early Voting Advantage
According to an analysis published by the New Jersey Globe on October 31, Democrats continued to outperform Republicans during the first seven days of in-person early voting.
By the end of Friday, October 30, registered Democrats had cast 246,768 in-person ballots, compared with 140,112 ballots cast by registered Republicans.
That represented a Democratic advantage of 106,656 ballots in early in-person voting alone.
When mail-in ballots reported through Thursday were included, the combined total reached at least 1,023,635 ballots.
The breakdown was:
- Democrats: 594,076 ballots
- Republicans: 241,031 ballots
- Unaffiliated and third-party voters: 188,528 ballots
The figures gave Democrats an advantage of 353,045 ballots over Republicans.
These are the latest combined figures cited in that report, not final totals for the entire early voting period.
Republican Turnout Declines Compared With 2025
One of the most significant developments was the decline in Republican participation on Friday.
According to the same analysis, 20,564 registered Republicans voted in person that day, compared with 27,982 on the corresponding day of early voting in 2025.
That represents a decline of approximately 26.5%.
Democratic participation moved in the opposite direction, rising from 32,792 voters on the comparable day last year to 33,803 on Friday, an increase of approximately 3.1%.
Overall, 70,979 New Jersey residents voted in person on Friday, compared with 80,288 on the corresponding day last year.
The figures suggest that Democrats have been more successful at mobilizing their registered voters during this stage of the election, while Republicans face pressure to increase turnout.
What Do These Numbers Actually Mean?
Although Democrats have established a substantial numerical advantage, early voting statistics should not be interpreted as election results.
The reported figures identify voters by their political party registration, not by the candidates they selected.
A registered Democrat may vote for a Republican candidate, and a registered Republican may support a Democrat. Unaffiliated voters also remain an important part of the electorate.
Additionally, voting patterns can differ significantly between early voting and Election Day.
Republicans could narrow the gap through higher participation on November 3, while Democrats will seek to maintain their turnout advantage.
The current figures therefore provide important information about voter participation, but they cannot establish which candidates are winning.
Congressional Races Add to the Stakes
New Jersey voters are participating in an election that will determine the state’s representation in Congress.
All 12 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are on the ballot, along with the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Cory Booker.
Several congressional districts are attracting particular attention, including the 7th District, where Republican Representative Tom Kean Jr. faces Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett.
The 2nd Congressional District, represented by Republican Jeff Van Drew, is also being closely watched.
High turnout among registered Democratic voters could affect these competitive races, although district-level participation and individual voter preferences will ultimately determine the outcomes.
Today Is the Final Opportunity to Vote Early
The New Jersey Division of Elections confirms that the nine-day early voting period, which began October 24, ends today, November 1.
Registered voters can visit designated early voting locations within their county until 6 p.m.
In Bergen County, locations include the Jack Alter Community Center in Fort Lee, as well as designated facilities in Hackensack, Teaneck, Paramus, and other municipalities.
Residents who do not vote early can cast their ballots on Tuesday, November 3, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., at their assigned Election Day polling locations.
The Final Test Comes Tuesday
The most important question is whether the Democratic advantage in early participation will translate into electoral victories.
For Democrats, the numbers represent evidence of strong voter mobilization. For Republicans, they highlight the importance of Election Day turnout and the possibility of attracting voters beyond their registered party base.
But high early participation does not necessarily mean that more people will vote overall. Some voters who previously waited until Election Day may simply be casting their ballots earlier.
With the final hours of early voting underway, New Jersey is approaching an election that will help determine the balance of power in Washington.
The early voting numbers reveal who has participated so far. On November 3, voters will determine who wins.
Tags: New Jersey Elections 2026, Early Voting, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Election Day, Voter Turnout, NJ Politics, Congressional Elections, Bergen County
Sources: New Jersey Globe (October 31, 2026); New Jersey Division of Elections; New Jersey Monitor; Bergen County Board of Elections.
By NJ RADAR Team