UPDATE: Pulling this back up top so we can hear from some of our late-day readers. Polls close in 2.5 hours and some people who vote after work are trickling in, except for some hotspots where the trickle's a little heavier. We're hearing that some of the 35 robo-calls that Gov. Christie recorded are being used to call Democrats - to depress the vote. If you got any of these calls, in LD-18 or anywhere else, we'd really love to hear about it, in the comments.
What's going on where you are? Polls are open until 8pm tonight. If you don't know your polling place, find it here. If that doesn't work, call your county clerk.
If you've already voted, call or email your friends and neighbors and remind them to do the same. Share your voting experience in the comments or send it in to tips@bluejersey.com. How's turnout by you?
Progressive Candidates: Every seat in both houses of the NJ legislature is up, and you can take that as a referendum on Christie's governance if you want to. I'll hold back from doing that because there are fewer clearly progressive choices than we want. Among them, two are in recently reconfigured districts. And that adds some strength behind two I'm particularly watching; LD-16 Marie Corfield & LD-11 Vin Gopal.
Battleground Districts: We're watching Democrats running a defensive play in LD-38, with record-breaking spending in a district not redrawn in favor of the Democratic incumbents Bob Gordon, Connie Wagner and Tim Eustace. And the Jim Whelan-Vince Polistina Senate contest in LD-2. Live in either district? We'd love to hear how turnout looks where you voted.
Local elections: If we want progressive candidates to rise, building the bench at the local level is essential. Good luck to forward-thinking muni candidates.
After Election Day: Shifts in leadership are likely to come in both Houses, assuming Democrats retain majority. In the Assembly they may come as early as Thursday. Sheila Oliver has already scheduled a Democratic caucus to select leadership, swapping in Lou Greenwald for Joe Cryan on her leadership slate, a power play to slow the challenge to her leadership from Cryan, who distinguished himself this year by opposing the pen-ben deal that Oliver was essential to. In the lame duck session, the long knives are out for public education; they'll call it 'reform'.
Got pictures? Busy campaign office? Vols at the phones? Candidate and GOTV crews surrounded by empty pizza boxes? Send them in and we'll post some of them later.
For those of us "in the trenches", we look forward to the day, and welcome its closure for another year.
Guess we'll all remember the power losses from the puny early snow fall which didn't even get the dignity of a name like hurricanes do. However, it caused us much discomfort, and I'm so sorry to say even some deaths. In Teaneck we lost one elderly couple to a faulty kerosene lamp and subsequent fire. How sad and very preventable. We need a complete review by the BPU of the utilities' responses in both this latest storm and the prior, "Irene". I would also hope that localities will review their procedures in keeping in touch with the more vulnerable folks in each of their communities.
One of the fall outs of the storm (or perhaps a positive depending upon your viewpoint) we missed seeing many of those political TV ads, usually on the cable channels. Wonder if folks get rebates on that?
You've read lots here about the smear campaign run against Vin Gopal by Assemblywomen Mary Pat Angellini and Carolyn Casagrande. Very disappointing for me cause they both know better. Hard for a candidate to sometimes stand up to those professional consultants and staffers who try to talk one into these desperate moves, but when instincts tell you it's wrong - it probably is. I sincerely hope voters will send a message by coming out strongly for Vin Gopal.
New Jersey is unique in so many ways, not the least of which is our 4-year election cycle. Unlike most other states, which combine their federal and state races and take a break every other year, we have critical elections each and every year. But, unfortunately, we have a hard time keeping voters' attention, so the cycle ends up looking like this:
Year One: the Presidential Year - even in years where the outcome is a foregone conclusion, voters will come out to register their choice. In 2008, NJ voter turnout was 73%.
Year Two: the Gubernatorial Year - one of only two states that elect their governor the year after electing a president, turnout drops off significantly, but there's still pretty good participation. In 2009, NJ voter turnout was 47%.
Year Three: the Midterms - whether a referendum on the President, or the Congress, the midterms carry national attention, but never seem to draw the same voter participation. Despite the highly charged atmosphere in 2010, NJ voter turnout was only 43%.
And now Year Four: the Legislative Election - the entire legislative branch of government in our state is up for election - all 40 Senate seats, all 80 Assembly seats. And, what kind of turnout should we expect? Well, if history serves as a guide - in 2007, NJ voter turnout was a paltry 32%.
While the local, state, national and (good lord) international media (everyone really, except NJTV) whipped itself into a frenzy during the last week over whether a first-term governor with no foreign policy experience could be the savior of the GOP by running for President of the United States, I decided to do something about this year's actual race. I voted.
That's right - last Wednesday I filled out and sent in my Vote-By-Mail Application, which took about a minute to do. My ballot arrived on Saturday - just 3 days later. I filled out the ballot on Monday night, which took about 2 minutes (just because I read every instruction, to be safe). And, yesterday, I mailed it in. It really was that fast, and that easy.
That means they don't know how or even if they can feed their families without help. Parents who eat at soup kitchens so the kids can eat out of the cupboards. People who can't treat their illness because the rent is due. Who volunteer for work in exchange for a meal.
At the NJ League of Municipalities
Senator Steve Sweeney's speech on shared services gets a mixed reception, some mayors in agreement with that direction, some who say they've already tried that, or they're already doing it.
"The acting commissioner has exceeded her authority and we believe she is violating the law."
Why would a school district completing a contract now think that contract has to fall under the governors' salary cap that doesn't take effect until February 7, 2011?
US Senators are scheduled to grill the head of the Transportation Security Administration over the use of the machines at Newark and other airports. Frank Lautenberg is a member of the committee meeting later this morning.
Extend the No.7 subway from NYC into Hoboken & Secaucus?
Steven Goldstein on who bullied him growing up, and the consequences in his life. The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights comes up in both houses today, with broad bi-partisan support.
FiveThirtyEight handicaps GOP 2012 White House Contenders
League of Municipalities says NJ should remove all union officials from its public pension system if it cuts off those in government lobbying organizations.
It's not just the League that towns have lobbying for them; more $$ going to private lobbying firms.
Christie & other climate change deniers/skeptics
What matters is what NJ's going to do, before it's too late.
Yeah, I think there's going to be some disagreement on this post ... - promoted by Rosi
Earlier this year, my brother provided me with a bit of wisdom that seemed to come out of nowhere and apply everywhere. I was cussing the bad drivers on Route 17 and he said, "I don't think the problem is that there are bad drivers. The problem is that we have forgotten how to be good people. Then we get behind the wheel and use technology to be bad people to even more people than before."
What is true for drivers in northern New Jersey is also true for political parties. The problem - the reason we stand on the brink of losing our ability to govern - is not that we are reaching for bad policies. It's that we've forgotten how to be good people. Then we govern as if anyone who doesn't agree with us does not belong in the room with us, much less at the table.
Too many Democrats decided that the only thing wrong with the way Bush/Cheney governed was that they moved policy in the wrong direction. No sooner had Democrats taken the reins of power than they tried to duplicate Bush's governing style - claiming a mandate in the absence of consensus. Convinced of their rightness - or righteousness - they never reached out to the people on the other side.
In this morning's News Roundup, we had a link to a Press of Atlantic City piece about voter anger, speculating who might be the winners and losers of that 2010 cycle phenomenon.
So, today's second Quote of the Day - and perspective - is from the NJ-6 incumbent, the only Dem staring down a well-financed Tea Party candidate in New Jersey today. Via politickernj:
There's a lot of anger this year," he said, although misdirected. "I just wish that the Tea Party anger would be directed at the special interests...that I think caused these problems. - Rep. Frank Pallone, in Red Bank today
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls. Call-in Number: (646) 652-2773
Join us tonight for our Election Day Special! This will be our last chance to dish before going to the polls, so let's make the most of it shall we?
Are you running for office or working on a campaign? Join us! Let us know the vibe where you are!
We're live at 8:00 p.m., and we'd love to know what you're thinking. Or, drop your thoughts in the comments, and we'll discuss them on the show.
That's tonight (Wednesday)at 8:00 p.m. for a little bit o' this, and a metric ton o' that.
You won't want to miss an episode - and of course, you never have to. Listen to them all on Blogtalkradio, or download any show on iTunes. Talk to you later!
In the GOP primary in NJ-6, Anna Little gets the Conservative Party and some tea party love (but uh, not Rush Limbaugh's). And Diane Gooch gets the Chris Christie shout-out, which means more. Gooch, the Two River Times publisher with a Wall Street marriage, can self-finance - and has. We've had the benefit of Frank Pallone's clear voice in the House for 22 years, but this year we have to be alert to how angry the right wing is at those who did the most to bring health care reform. That's my 2 cents. - - promoted by Rosi.
There are only 180 days between now and Election Day. And we're going to have to fight tooth and nail to beat back those seeking to bring about a 180 degree reversal from the progress we've been making.
Since President Obama's historic election, we've brought about the change our nation is clamoring for - from making sure women receive equal pay to providing assistance to homeowners and small businesses. Moreover, the history books will surely look back on extending health care coverage to 35 million more Americans as a massive achievement.
Nonetheless, our opponents want to turn back the clock to the days when Bush-Cheney policies put the well-connected at the top of the agenda and Rove politics ruled the day. Our opponents are seeking to reverse all the progress we're making. And they have deep pockets to fund those candidates and causes who share their regressive goals.
It's going to be a long day of voting, from all the signs. I'd like to salute the unsung heroes of today's election, the poll workers and volunteers who are going to help everybody through the voting process today.
I live in a very "blue" town in the Great State of New Jersey. We are a net "exporter" of campaign volunteers this year, mainly to points west in Pennsylvania. But, I still knew that it would be a good idea to get down to my polling place early. The polls opened at 6:00 a.m., so I left my house at about 6:15 and walked down the hill to the Municipal Building.
I "misunderestimated" how early to get there. There was a line out the door for my voting district, to sign in and get my "golden ticket" that would get me into the voting booth. Then, another line out the door to get to vote. The whole process took about an hour, so I really didn't go through the kind of hardship that some people in the early voting states have gone through. And, it was fun to see all the neighbors happy to be out there, waiting to vote.
But the real heroes were the workers and volunteers, like my friend the Curmudgeon (his blogging name). He was there first thing this morning, to work as a party volunteer checking names on the voting lists. But, he quickly realized that sitting at a table wasn't going to help move the voting along, and he jumped up to help his neighbors vote. There are three districts voting at our Municipal Building, and Curmudgeon and others got everybody organized into intricately snaking lines, crossing back-and-forth in the hall where the sign-in tables and voting machines are, and extending out the various doors.
If they had stopped to think about it, it was an impossible task. But, it was made possible by their community spirit, and the cooperation of all of the voters who happily followed their directions, and helped new arrivals to navigate the tangle of lines that developed.
I know that there are other places in the United States where, unfortunately, people will encounter greater difficulties in voting, and get less cooperation and assistance in trying to do so. I am so happy and blessed to live in a place where we have people like Curmudgeon and my other neighbors, who know that the act of voting is a precious gift that we share with all of our fellow citizens today.
The following information is required Street Address, Street Name, City and County or Street Address, Street Name and Zip Code.
If an exact match is found in our records, you will be provided with your Polling Place, Voting Area District and the County Election Official information.
The polls are open from 6am until 8pm. Be patient as you may experience heavy traffic at some locations. If you've already voted absentee, you don't have to worry about any of this. Either way, happy voting!
[consider this an open thread, and please consider taking a vacation day on November 4 to do GOTV and bring us a lot of new Democratic elected officials - promoted by huntsu]
I know what I am doing to GOTV, as long as possible as well, but what are you doing?
Chime in below and share, with the assembled, what you are doing, besides voting, even if for an hour or two.
And if you aren't doing anything, why not? It's not to late to volunteer.
Likely you are tapped out financially after the donations and the market crash, got your signs on the front lawn, have made calls or gone door-to-door, and made up your mind how to vote on the ballot questions.
Most everyone has made up their mind how they are going to vote by now -- for national and local elections -- and if they haven't made up their minds they are not likely to vote at all.
So what needs to be done now is ensure that all our supporters get out to vote, and that all our supporters are able to vote.
In one county where I have anonymous sources in the election board there are thousands of newly registered voters who will be forced to vote on a provisional, paper ballot because there is not enough time to get them entered into the computers and printed in the official voter books.
That's just one county with 20 or so towns, meaning at least 100 or more provisional ballots in every town. That's a major record, and it could be worse. Poll workers are always confused by provisional ballots, and it takes them away from the tables where they can keep the lines moving.
Add in the thousands of new voters and the tens of thousands of regular voters and polling places will be teeming with people trying to vote dealing with frustrated poll workers and overwhelmed support staff.
Here are some steps you can take to help reduce the confusion and ensure a smoother election.
Vote by absentee ballot -- Apply for an absentee ballot and take yourself out of the election day confusion. You can vote by mail for any reason, but you need to get it done quickly. The last day county clerks will mail out your ballot is October 28, and the last day you can vote absentee in person at the clerk's office is November 3 by 3 p.m. Encourage your neighbors to do the same. Absentee Ballot Application and list of County Clerks
Become a poll worker -- This is one where you can get paid! Most counties are still looking for poll workers, and it is vitally important that smart folks with stamina sign up. You'll be trained in how to deal with the provisional ballots, machine problems, etc. You can get paid to help create a smooth election. Contact your local County Clerk or your County Democratic chair to find out how.
Become a challenger -- Each party is allowed to have representatives in the polls, and usually doesn't have enough people to do it. As a challenger you can help voters who have problems with not being in the books, with being told to vote provisionally, and you'll have a phone number of some lawyers to call in case there is real trouble. This is a vital role in any election that is rarely filled enough. The cool part is that you can do this for just a few hours of the day around your own schedule. Contact your County Democratic chair to offer your assistance.
Any other suggestions on how to make election day run more smoothly? Put them in the comments.
