Early Voting Results Show Clear Leader In NJ Governor’s Race

Early voting is underway in New Jersey, with voters trending blue.

Mikie Sherrill, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot currently serving as a congress member, is running for governor as a Democrat in New Jersey. She is facing a challenge from Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman who has gotten an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

According to state records shared by Michael Pruser, Democratic votes are leading Republican votes by 4,241 as of Tuesday.

Republicans have gained 94,555 in-person votes, while Democrats have 98,796 in-person votes. This shows a 1.77 percent edge for Democrats.

The New Jersey Early Voting file is in for 10/28.

Cumulative In-Person Through Day 3 of 9

🔴Republican In Person - 94,555
🔵Democratic In Person - 98,796
🔵DEM Raw Vote Edge: 4,241 (D +1.77%)

Republicans win the turnout edge on day three by a little more than 1,200 votes,… pic.twitter.com/n7u3o2u7e8
— Michael Pruser (@MichaelPruser) October 28, 2025

Additionally, Democrats are leading with the early voting turnout for mail-in ballots.

Republican Return Rate is 56.64 percent and the Democratic Return Rate is 58.14 percent. This gives Democrats an edge of 205,906 mail-in ballots.

On the mail side, we continue to trend toward a DEM turnout advantage of ~240,000.

🔴Republican Return Rate - 56.64%
🔵Democratic Return Rate - 58.14%
🔵DEM Raw Vote Edge: 205,906

Full NJ Sheet - https://t.co/YJoZzSSSd5
— Michael Pruser (@MichaelPruser) October 28, 2025

The early voting trends are consistent with recent polls showing Sherill leading Ciattarelli.

According to A2 Insights' latest poll, Sherrill is up five points ahead of Ciattarelli.

Of the 812 likely voters surveyed, 51.4 percent favored Sherrill over the 46.5 percent for Ciattarelli.

A previous poll by A2 Insights from Augustshowed Sherrill was ahead 5.9 percent. She is down almost one percent between the two polls.

While the margin of lead varies, Sherrill has remained steadily ahead of Ciattarelli.

Last week, according to Newsweek, citing a poll by KAConsulting, Sherrill was ahead with 47 percent of voters backing her over Ciattarelli with 44 percent.

The following week, a Quinnipiac University New Jersey poll showed Sherrill with 50 percent of voters' support over Cittarelli's 44 percent.

At the beginning of October, Fox News released its own poll of New Jersey voters that found Sherrill was ahead of Ciattarelli. Another poll released by Quantus Insights also showed Sherill with a slight lead over Ciattarelli, 48.1 percent to 45.8 percent, among likely voters.

A previous Quinnipiac poll on Sept. 17 also showed Sherill receiving 49 percent of support while Cittarelli received 41 percent of support.

See Related:

• Sherrill, Ciattarelli: Here’s Why I Should Be NJ Governor (In 500 Words)
• 5 Takeaways From First New Jersey Governor Debate