MONMOUTH COUNTY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Early in-person voting is underway for the first time ever in New Jersey. Candidates throughout the state are using this as an opportunity to get out and rally their supporters.
Early voting kicked off Saturday morning. While in Long Branch, New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy wasted no time casting his vote.
"We have turned the page to a new era in New Jersey, and not withstanding the overwhelming tragedy of this pandemic, it is sunrise in New Jersey," he said.
Former President Barack Obama spoke in Newark on Murphy's behalf against his Republican challenger, Jack Ciattarelli.
"When you've got a candidate that spoke at a 'Stop the Steal' rally, you can bet he's not going to be a champion of democracy," said Obama.
President Joe Biden is also expected to campaign for Murphy.
Ciattarelli also hit the campaign trail Saturday, speaking to a crowd in front of GOP headquarters in Monmouth County.
"Here's his problem - this guy, he wasn't raised here, never went to school here, never worked here, never owned a business here," said the former assemblyman.
"He's not Colts Neck, he's not Monmouth County, he's not New Jersey, and in 11 days, he's not our governor."
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In addition to the governor's race, all 40 state senate seats and all 80 assembly seats are also being contested.
Most early in-person voting locations in the Garden State are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October 31.