Democrats are facing growing concern in New Jersey as the state’s gubernatorial race tightens and new data shows Republicans gaining an early advantage in mail-in voting ahead of the November election.

Updated figures this week indicate that Republican ballot returns have surpassed Democrats for the first time in the 2025 cycle, reflecting a shift that has intensified challenges for Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s campaign against former state lawmaker Jack Ciattarelli.

According to election analyst Michael Pruser, 18.6 percent of all mail-in ballots returned so far are from Republican voters, compared to 16.6 percent from Democrats and 9.3 percent from other parties. Republicans now hold a two-point lead in return rates, and the mail-in vote is six points more Republican than at the same point

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