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NJ Election Races Too Close to Call as Mail-In Ballots Tallyed

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. oo-close-to-call-as-mail-in-ballots-tallyed.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, February 8th 2026 at 10:21 GMT by Patch
      Locales: New Jersey, UNITED STATES

TRENTON, NJ - February 8th, 2026 - Several New Jersey congressional races are hanging in the balance as election officials continue to tally a substantial number of mail-in ballots, days after initial projections suggested unexpectedly tight contests. The delay in finalizing results has prompted cautious optimism from Democratic challengers, while incumbents are urging patience as the count progresses. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges of accurately and swiftly determining election outcomes in an era increasingly reliant on mail-in voting.

On Tuesday night, initial projections from various news outlets indicated closer-than-anticipated races in key districts, including the 10th and 3rd. These early indications prompted statements from candidates emphasizing the need for patience and a complete accounting of all votes. The 10th Congressional District, where Democrat Javier Mejia is mounting a strong challenge against Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew, is proving to be a particularly nail-biting contest. Mejia's campaign team stressed that preliminary projections should be viewed with caution, pointing to the significant number of outstanding mail-in ballots that remain to be counted.

"We are grateful for all the support so far. But we want to remind everyone to be patient as we wait for a complete tally of votes," Mejia stated on election night. His campaign manager echoed this sentiment, adding, "These are just preliminary projections and there are still a significant number of mail-in ballots to be counted."

In the 3rd Congressional District, Democrat Andy Kim is facing a challenge from Republican Bob Hurley. Similar to the 10th District, early projections suggested a competitive race, leading Kim's campaign to issue a statement urging voters to remain patient. "Thank you to everyone who came out to vote. We want everyone to remain patient as we wait for a complete and accurate count of ballots. We are confident in our victory, but we know this is going to take some time," the statement read.

The surge in mail-in voting, a trend accelerated by the 2020 pandemic and continued in subsequent elections, has become a standard feature of New Jersey elections. While proponents argue that mail-in voting increases accessibility and participation, critics point to the logistical challenges and potential for delays in accurately determining results. The current situation in New Jersey underscores these concerns. The sheer volume of ballots, combined with the meticulous process of verifying signatures and ensuring accuracy, inevitably leads to a slower tabulation process.

Election officials across the state's counties have been working diligently since the polls closed to process the influx of mail-in ballots. This involves not only physically sorting and counting the ballots but also verifying voter eligibility and resolving any discrepancies. The process is further complicated by varying county-level procedures and a shortage of experienced election workers in some areas. Some counties started counting mail-in ballots days before election day, as permitted under New Jersey law, but a substantial number remained uncounted as of this morning.

The delay in finalizing results is also fueling increased scrutiny of the election process itself. Several advocacy groups are actively monitoring the vote count, and legal challenges are anticipated if the margin of victory in any of the contested races is exceedingly narrow. This heightened level of vigilance underscores the importance of transparency and accuracy in the election process. The New Jersey Division of Elections has established a website to provide real-time updates on the vote count, but information remains fragmented and inconsistent across different counties.

Political analysts predict that the final outcome in these races could significantly impact the balance of power in Congress. The 10th and 3rd Districts are considered key swing districts, and a shift in representation could have implications for legislative priorities and the overall political landscape. The results are expected to be closely watched by both parties as they prepare for the upcoming midterm elections.

The expectation is that final results will not be available for several more days, potentially extending into next week. County election officials are committed to ensuring a fair and accurate count, but the process is inherently time-consuming. Voters in these districts, and indeed across New Jersey, are being asked to exercise patience as the democratic process unfolds.