By: John Stracco
Tomorrow, Tuesday November third, is election day. Unlike most states across the country, which typically experience an off election the year after a Presidential election and do not elect any state or federal officers, New Jersey will have its gubernatorial election as well as elections for all state house and senate representatives. Incumbent democrat Phil Murphy will face off against republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli in tuesday's election. While many could argue that an election this year is pointless, it can actually speak to a much larger political landscape of the country.
It is expected that on a statewide level Phil Murphy will easily win. However, the down ballot races can provide insight into the state of the country and its approval of the first year of the Biden Administration. This is especially notable in swing districts. Here the independent voters can and will swing an election in one side's favor. If the decisive group, that overwhelmingly voted for Biden one year ago, stays with democrats then it is clear evidence that they, and a majority of the country, approves of the job the president is doing. If the down ballot races showed republican gains in swing districts, then that means the majority if the country disapproves of the Biden administration.
Furthermore, the political sentiment of the country is a sign of what's to come. Next year are the 2022 midterms, and the local elections here in New Jersey can help experts “predict” the state of the country next year. Election day is a sacred democratic right in our country and everyone has the right to participate in our democratic process. Even though this year’s election is an off cycle it is still extremely important that everyone who can vote votes.
No comments:
Post a Comment