Ballot questions, congressional races not expected to draw many NJ voters

Political analysts expect a low voter turnout in New Jersey for Tuesday’s elections.

Analysts believe voters won’t be motivated to go to the polls because New Jersey’s 12 congressional races aren’t considered very competitive.

Voters also will decide the fate of two constitutional amendments on the ballot. One provides for revamping the state’s bail system to prevent indigent suspects from long pretrial incarceration and to keep defendants considered dangerous behind bars until trial, among other changes.

The second will ask if 6 percent of corporate business tax revenues should be dedicated to preserve open space.

Rider University political science professor Ben Dworkin does not believe the open space and bail overhaul measures will make much difference in voter turnout.

“There is a constituency that wants to pass each of those,” he said. “I expect them to pass, but I don’t think we’re going to see an unexpected surge of voters because those measures are on the ballot.”

Montclair State political science professor Brigid Harrison also believes the ballot questions won’t drive voter turnout.

Local races in some districts may be the big factor in getting people to the polls, she said. And who shows up to vote in those elections could make a difference in one or two congressional races.