Republicans Surpassing Democrats in Early In-Person Voting in Traditionally Blue State

Republicans are outperforming Democrats in early in-person voting in New Jersey as of Tuesday, according to data from Associated Press election researcher Ryan Dubicki.

GOP voters have cast 144,105 in-person ballots, while Democrats have submitted 139,524. Historically, Democrats have led in early voting, with party leaders encouraging their supporters to vote early in past elections.

“This is incredible,” said New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli on “Fox & Friends First,” as reported by Fox News. “Republicans are finally seizing the opportunity to vote early. The response to vote-by-mail ballots has been excellent, and local Republican groups are effectively spreading the word.”

The last time New Jersey supported a Republican presidential candidate was in 1988 when Vice President George H. W. Bush won against Democratic Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts.

Despite this strong early in-person turnout, New Jersey Democrats continue to lead in mail-in voting, with 357,924 ballots cast by Democrats, compared to 121,003 by Republicans and 108,270 by unaffiliated voters, according to the New Jersey Globe. Overall, New Jersey voters had submitted a total of 589,353 mail-in ballots by Saturday morning.