PRESIDENT ’ S VIEW
PRESIDENT ’ S VIEW
Many Options for Casting Ballots , Aim to Bring to More to the Polls
By Anthony Russo President , CIANJ
Well , another election season has come and gone , and everyone is wondering now what ? I mention season because not long ago , many of us knew it as Election Day . When registered voters took some time before or after work to go and cast their votes on Election Day . With the advent of early in-person voting and vote by mail , there is more flexibility for when and how you vote . But in spite of it , only three out of 10 voters cast their vote this year . Why ? Well for starters , unless it is a presidential or gubernatorial election , most people may not be as passionate or focused on local and state elections . Yet , local and state government play such a critical role in how our businesses operate . From local permits and approvals to taxes and regulations , if you are operating a business , the government we elect matters .
In reviewing this year ’ s election results , it was clear it came down to voter turnout in many districts . As the former Speaker of the House Tip O ’ Neill once said , “ all politics is local ” and that
Voter Turnout Statistics
proved to be the case this year .
What will it take to motivate more voters to vote ? Perhaps we have to make it even easier for them . With technology advancing by the day , there is little doubt we may see changes in the coming years in how we vote and that may be a good thing . No matter what your perspective , we should all agree that a true democracy only exists when the majority of voters weigh in . If you do the math , that is closer to six out of 10 voters casting their vote . If you are keeping track , in the 2020 presidential election , voter turnout in New Jersey exceeded eight out of 10 which is good . But we should strive for that result for every election !
Atlantic 29.97 %
Bergen 29.5 %
Burlington
Camden
29.3 %
27.23 %
Cape May
Cumberland
33.74 %
22.45 %
Essex
Gloucester
Hudson
35.57 %
17.48 %
16.64 %
Hunterdon 36.23 %
Mercer
27.57 %
Middlesex
Monmouth
Morris
Ocean
23.84 %
31.98 %
29.63 %
31.48 %
Passaic 20.67 %
Somerset |
|
32.49 % |
Registered Voters |
|
Sussex
Union
|
30.4 % |
29.97 % |
Total Ballots Cast |
Warren |
23.83 % |
|
|
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Data provided by County Clerks ’ Offices
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