Clean Water Action is excited to announce our 2021 New Jersey Endorsements! We urge all Clean Water Voters to support candidates who understand that we need to tackle the climate crisis, protect clean water and natural resources, and address critical environmental justice and public health disparities. New Jerseyans are demanding action on these critical issues and Clean Water Action’s 2021 endorsed candidates have publicly pledged to prioritize these matters in their work.
There are only two states in the country that hold their state legislative and gubernatorial elections on odd-numbered years, and New Jersey is one of them. This means that we are a bellwether state that can set the national tone on issues like stopping the climate crisis and investing in clean water, clean air, and environmental justice.
The 2020-21 legislative term resulted in the passage of landmark pieces of pro-environment legislation in New Jersey including the nation’s strongest protections for environmental justice communities, a comprehensive plan to replace lead service lines, the plastic bag ban, and incentives for electric vehicles. But we still have more to do! We can’t keep the momentum going if we don’t support the pro-environmental legislators we have, encourage them to keep stepping up, and work to build a new and stronger environmental majority at the state house. There are more options than ever for voting pro-environment in New Jersey this year.
New Jersey Clean Water Action has endorsed Governor Phil Murphy for re-election in 2021.
In his first term, he signed a first in the nation environmental justice law that will allow the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to deny or condition certain permits due to the cumulative, disproportionate impacts of pollution in already overburdened communities.
He actively supported and signed laws that mandate that water providers both inventory and replace dangerous lead service lines, establish the strongest disposable bag and polyfoam ban in the country, and create incentives for electric vehicles and corresponding charging infrastructure.
We know that Governor Murphy will continue to position New Jersey as a leader in the fight for clean water, clean air, and a livable climate future.
Clean Water Action has officially endorsed Tirza Wahrman for mayor of West Windsor.
“Tirza walks the walk when it comes to sustainability. She has served on our volunteer board for over a decade advocating for clean drinking water, clean air, and safe, sustainable communities where families can walk and bike,” said Amy Goldsmith, Clean Water Action executive director. Click here for the press release and more information.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 2, 2021. New Jersey is one of only two states that holds our statewide elections on odd-numbered years, so it can be easy to forget to vote, BUT this election, and every election is important! Every single state legislator AND the governor are on the ballot in 2021, so your vote can be the difference between whether or not New Jersey tackles the climate crisis with a bold clean energy plan. (To see a list of Clean Water Action’s 2021 endorsements, click here.) There are more ways to vote this year than ever before, so let us walk you through your options.
An important note about vote by mail in 2021: The state is NOT automatically sending vote by mail (VBM) ballots to every registered voter this election like it did in 2020. Only voters who were already voting by mail prior to the pandemic will be automatically sent a VBM ballot. But don’t worry! You can still sign up for a VBM ballot for 2021! The deadline to mail a request for a VBM ballot is October 26th, and the deadline to request a VBM ballot in person at your County Clerk’s office is November 1st at 3pm.
Once you have your VBM ballot in hand, how do you turn it in? Pick one of these three options:
Mail: It must be postmarked on or before 8:00 p.m. November 2 and be received by your county’s Board of Elections on or before November 8.
Secure Ballot Drop Box: Place it in one of your county’s secure ballot drop boxes by 8:00 p.m. on November 2. Click here to locate a drop box.
New for 2021! There is also Early In-Person Voting in New Jersey this year. No matter where you live in the county, you can vote your specific ballot at any of your county’s designated in-person early voting locations. In-person early voting locations will be open Saturday, October 23 through Sunday, October 31. Hours will be Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
So, there you have it. You have a buffet of voting options in New Jersey in 2021. Hooray! But don’t get overwhelmed by your choices. Make a family plan NOW for how all of the eligible voters in your household will cast their votes this year. Maybe you are bringing the kids and grabbing some Election Day ice cream afterwards? Maybe you are going for a lovely fall stroll to an Early Voting location? Maybe you will pour yourself a mug of tea and fill out a Vote By Mail ballot in the comfort of your own kitchen before bringing it to a secure drop box? Whatever you decide, make a plan to vote!
