(U-WIRE)NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – The recent Nov. 8 gubernatorial election set a new state record for the lowest voter turnout in modern state history. Only 48.5 percent of the state’s registered voters came out to vote. The trend of low voter turnout seems to have begun four years ago when 49.2 percent of voters cast a ballot in the gubernatorial election, down from 56 percent in the election four years earlier.

These dropping numbers seem to reveal a great deal about the lives people are leading in this day and age. Many people, however, attribute the low turnout in this election to other factors. The negative, disrespectful and cruel campaign ads the main candidates Jon Corzine and Doug Forrester ran are said to have turned a large number of voters off this past election. The two candidates spent a combined $75.5 million smearing each other, but instead of inspiring voters, these ads appear to have failed to motivate those people who are busy with a slew of obligations in their own lives.

Hopefully New Jersey politicians will remember the recent election’s voter turn-off in four years and present citizens with candidates capable of inspiring people to come out and vote.

Staff Editorial

Daily Targum (Rutgers)