🏛️ How Assembly Elections Work in New Jersey: Everything You Need to Know
When it comes to politics in the Garden State, Assembly elections play a crucial role in shaping policies that affect our daily lives—from taxes and education to transportation and healthcare. But how exactly do these elections work? And why should New Jerseyans pay close attention?
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how Assembly elections work in New Jersey, including the structure, process, voter participation, and why they matter now more than ever.
📌 Quick Overview: What Is the New Jersey General Assembly?
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature (the state’s lawmaking body). It works alongside the New Jersey Senate, which is the upper house.
Key Facts:
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🏛️ Total Assembly Members: 80
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🗳️ Term Length: 2 years
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🌍 Legislative Districts: 40 (each elects 2 Assembly members)
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👥 Elected by: Registered voters in each district
Each of New Jersey’s 40 legislative districts sends 2 representatives to the Assembly, meaning every district gets a double voice in the lower house.
🗳️ When Are Assembly Elections Held?
Assembly elections occur every two years in odd-numbered years (i.e., 2021, 2023, 2025, etc.).
Important Election Milestones:
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Candidate Filing Deadline | April |
| Primary Elections | June |
| General Election | First Tuesday after the first Monday in November |
These elections don’t coincide with presidential or congressional elections, which means they often get less attention—but they are just as important.
🔄 How the Voting Process Works
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Candidate Filing: Candidates submit petitions with signatures to qualify for the ballot.
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Primaries: Held in June, these determine the party nominees (Democratic and Republican) for each district.
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General Election: Voters choose two Assembly members from the list of party and independent candidates in their district.
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Winners: The top two vote-getters in each district are elected.
🧠 Pro Tip: You can vote for up to two candidates in your district during the general election.
🗺️ What Are the 40 Legislative Districts?
New Jersey is divided into 40 legislative districts, each with roughly equal populations. Every 10 years, the state undergoes redistricting based on Census data to reflect population changes.
Color-coded by district with clickable zones for live updates.
🗣️ "Redistricting can shift power dramatically. A change in district lines might change who wins and loses," says political analyst Rachel Diaz.
⚖️ Political Balance: Why the Assembly Matters
The General Assembly has major influence on:
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✅ Passing or rejecting state laws
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💰 Approving the state budget
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📚 Education funding decisions
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🚨 Law enforcement and gun policy
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🏥 Healthcare access and Medicaid expansion
The party that controls the Assembly can set the agenda for the entire state government. As of 2024, Democrats hold a majority, but recent trends show growing Republican influence in swing districts.
| Year | Democrats | Republicans |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 52 | 28 |
| 2021 | 46 | 34 |
| 2023 | 45 | 35 |
👥 Who Can Vote in Assembly Elections?
You must be:
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✅ A U.S. citizen
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✅ At least 18 years old
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✅ A resident of New Jersey
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✅ Registered to vote
You can vote in person, early, by mail, or absentee. The state has made voting more accessible, with an expanding network of early voting locations and ballot drop boxes.
🗳️ Voter Turnout: A Growing Concern
Despite their importance, Assembly elections often suffer from low voter turnout.
| Year | Turnout % |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 27% |
| 2021 | 34% |
| 2023 | 38% |
Why?
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Lack of awareness
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Off-cycle elections
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Fewer “headline” races
But every vote does count—especially in local races where margins can be razor-thin.
📣 In 2021, one Assembly race in District 2 was decided by just 300 votes!
🔍 What Makes a District Competitive?
While many districts are considered safe for one party, others are labeled “swing” or “battleground” districts, where either party can win.
Factors:
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Demographic shifts
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New candidates with crossover appeal
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Redistricting changes
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Voter engagement efforts
Some key swing districts as of 2024 include:
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District 11 (Monmouth County)
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District 16 (Somerset County)
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District 2 (Atlantic County)
🧭 Understanding Ballots and Voting
On your ballot, you'll see:
🗳️ Two vote bubbles per district
👤 Candidate name, party, and sometimes a short description
✅ You can vote for up to 2 candidates
If you vote for only one, your ballot still counts. If you vote for more than two, your vote for that race is disqualified.
📣 Why Local Matters More Than You Think
Many people focus on national politics, but state assemblies shape issues that impact your daily life the most.
For example:
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Your property taxes? Controlled largely by state decisions.
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Your child’s school budget? Decided in Trenton.
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Your minimum wage, healthcare access, transit fare? Influenced by your Assembly reps.
"The General Assembly is where politics meets everyday life," says NJ resident Angela M., a school teacher from Burlington.
👨💼 How Do Assembly Members Influence Change?
Once elected, Assembly members serve on committees and sponsor or vote on bills. Key committees include:
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Budget & Appropriations
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Health & Human Services
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Education
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Environment & Solid Waste
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Law & Public Safety
They also help constituents with:
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Government services
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Grant applications
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Legal referrals
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Local project funding
🎯 Final Thoughts: Why Your Vote Matters
The New Jersey General Assembly may not get the attention that national elections do, but its decisions are far more likely to affect your day-to-day life.
From the air you breathe to the roads you drive on, your Assembly members play a role. Voting in these elections is not just your right—it’s your power.
📬 Ready to Make a Difference?
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Check your registration status at nj.gov/state/elections
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Know your legislative district
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Research your local candidates
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Mark your calendar for the next Assembly election
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