New Jersey is heading into a pivotal election year, and the June 2025 primary is already shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent memory. Voters across the state will head to the polls on Tuesday, June 10, after the election date was moved back a week to accommodate the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.

One of the most significant changes this year is the elimination of the controversial “county line” ballot design. For decades, this system gave a major advantage to party-endorsed candidates by grouping them together visually on the ballot. With the reform now in place, all candidates will appear in a standard grid format, leveling the playing field and potentially shaking up the power of local political machines.

The 2025 gubernatorial race is heating up on both sides of the aisle. On the Republican side, Jack Ciattarelli returns to the spotlight alongside conservative radio host Bill Spadea and State Senator Jon Bramnick. Ed Durr, the truck driver who stunned the political world with a Senate win in 2021, has withdrawn from the race and thrown his support behind Spadea, signaling a consolidation of the party’s grassroots wing.

Democrats face a more crowded and competitive primary. Representative Josh Gottheimer, known for his bipartisan appeal, is positioning himself as a centrist alternative to establishment figures. The race is expected to test the strength of the state’s Democratic base amid growing calls for reform and transparency.

Meanwhile, South Jersey Congressman Donald Norcross is recovering in stable condition after a medical emergency related to his gallbladder. He is receiving treatment at Cooper University Health Care and is expected to return to full duties following recovery.

In a surprising development, Monmouth University announced that its respected Polling Institute will close in July 2025. The institute has long been a reliable source of nonpartisan public opinion data in the state and nationally. Its closure will leave a significant gap in polling insight ahead of the general election.

As New Jersey moves closer to the June primaries, these changes and candidacies will continue to shape the state’s political narrative. Voters are encouraged to stay informed, get registered, and make their voices heard.