Although there are no significant races in Lakewood this election cycle, as New Jersey voted for their governor and Legislature a year ago, turnout in Lakewood has so far been unusually this election cycle, as thousands came out to vote, either by mailing in a ballot, voting early or voting today.

The heavy turnout was likely a result of the intense voter registration drive and get out to vote effort by the United Education of New Jersey (UENJ) group, a recently formed organization which is fighting to increase the amount of aid non public schools in the state receive.

In recent midterm elections, voter turnout in Lakewood hovered around 35%, with turnout in 2018 reaching 41.1%, up from 33.9% in 2014 and 39.8% in the 2010 midterms.

The exact amount of early votes so far in Lakewood was not immediately available.

Photo: Dunoff Photography

Make sure to stay with TLS after the polls close at 8pm for final updates on all the local races.