How Union County Voted In Highly Contested NJ Governor's Race

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The County Clerk's Office is reporting official vote totals in all races, including the final, countywide tally in the race for New Jersey governor.

It was initially thought that the race between Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli could stretch into the coming weeks, with a possible call for recount looming as the numbers kept tight.

However, Ciattarelli conceded in the race on Nov. 12, solidifying a victory for Murphy that was becoming clearer by the day.

In victory, Murphy became the first Democratic governor to win consecutive terms in the state since 1977.

With all expected votes counted, Murphy won by a margin of 1,336,051 to Ciattarelli's 1,253,104, according to the Associated Press/Politco vote count.

In Union County, the eventual total didn't matchup exactly with the state totals. Murphy collected 83,913 votes, according to the Union County Clerk's Office official totals, while Ciattarelli garnered 51,279 votes. Those totals were good for 61.48 percent and 37.57 percent, respectively.

According to the Clerk's Office, voter turnout stood at just under 40 percent, with 138,552 registered voters turning in a ballot at some point during the election cycle.

In his concession speech, Ciattarelli cleared up any concerns his supporters may have had about an unfair or illicit voting process.

"I hate to lose... but I am also someone who believes strongly in our republic and in our democratic process. Enough votes have been counted and there does not appear to be a path to victory or a basis for a recount. Nor do we know of any systemic or widespread fraud. So no, I see no proof that this election was stolen," said Ciattarelli.
Murphy turned his sites to the future, saying that the Garden State represents what's up next for the country.

"If you want to know what the future looks like folks, come to New Jersey. If you want to understand where America is heading, look to New Jersey. And if you want to be Governor of all of New Jersey, you must listen to all of New Jersey — and New Jersey, I hear you," Murphy said.

View the full vote totals for every race in Union County.