Turnout key in New Jersey races

Republicans are enthusiastic about an election expected to draw only half the Garden State’s registered voters to the polls.

Political analysts say voter turnout could be the determining factor in some of the congressional races in New Jersey.

Analysts expect less than half of the registered voters in the Garden State will go to the polls. Fairleigh Dickinson political science professor Peter Woolley said Monday that Republican voters are the most enthusiastic about this election. That, he said, could make the difference in some of the closely contested races.

“I think we’re going to be looking carefully at the margins for some guys who’ve been safe in the past and see how the early returns suggest turnout,” he said. “If the Democratic turnout in the competitive districts is light, then I think you’re going to have some important upsets.”

Polls show the 3rd District battle between freshman Democrat John Adler and Republican Jon Runyan is the closest congressional race in New Jersey. The 6th and 12th District races are also highly contested.