Nearly 250K turned out on first weekend of early in-person voting in N.J.

Voters lined up outside the Watsessing Park Community Center on Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor)

Nearly a quarter-million New Jerseyans cast machine votes at one of 159 early voting centers statewide this weekend, shattering previous records for early in-person turnout.

On Saturday and Sunday, 247,003 residents cast early in-person votes, according to data provided by the Department of State. On Saturday, 135,075 voters cast ballots, a figure that dipped to 111,928 on Sunday.

The figures represent a dramatic increase in early in-person voting turnout, which has struggled to gain traction in the Garden State since the practice went into effect for 2021’s general election.

That year, 19,426 voters cast early machine votes on the first day of early voting, according to data maintained by Associated Press election researcher Ryan Dubicki . In 2022, first-day early voting turnout reached 26,658.

The swell in turnout has caused lines at some early polling centers.

Early in-person turnout was highest in Bergen County, the most populous county in New Jersey. There, 24,447 residents cast votes at an early polling center.

But turnout in Monmouth (23,952) and Ocean (23,521) counties was close behind despite those counties having roughly two-thirds of Bergen’s population.

Salem County, New Jersey’s least populous county, saw the lowest early turnout. There, only 1,735 residents cast early in-person ballots.

New Jersey’s nine-day general election early voting period runs until Sunday, Nov. 3. Eligible voters can cast early ballots at any early voting polling center in their county . Polling centers are open between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. from Monday through Saturday and until 6 p.m. on Sundays.

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