Do you notice your Facebook feed filling up lately with political posts by your friends? Sometimes, it can be frustrating. You just want to see pictures of your nieces and nephews at their sporting events and dance competitions, but instead, you get flooded by an avalanche of posts trying to change your political mind.
Don’t blame your friends. They can’t help themselves. Political activism is inherent in the DNA of many in New Jersey, according to a new report by Wallet Hub. So next time you’re scrolling through looking for nice family pictures and memes, don’t get mad at the barrage of politically driven messages in your feed.
New Jersey is typically known as a blue state controlled by Democrats, but in some parts of New Jersey, there is fierce competition between Democrats and Republicans each election cycle. While the blue wave is in firm control of the state’s urban areas, the red wave is continuing to sweep across rural areas in northwest Jersey and the Jersey Shore.
According to a recent report by Wallet Hub, New Jersey remains the second most politically active state in America.
With Election Day coming up and only 66.8% of the voting-age population having voted in the 2020 presidential election and 53.4% in the 2018 midterm, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Most & Least Politically Engaged States, according to the study.
When it comes to political action and involvement, here’s how New Jersey ranks:
- 1st – % of Registered Voters in 2020 Presidential Election
- 23rd – % of Electorate Who Voted in 2018 Midterm Elections
- 1st – % of Electorate Who Voted in 2020 Presidential Election
- 2nd – Change in % of Electorate Who Actually Voted in 2020 Elections vs. 2016 Elections
- 28th – Total Political Contributions per Adult Population
- 1st – Civic Education Engagement
- 18th – Voter Accessibility Policies
“Civic participation is a key ingredient of a well-functioning democracy, and voter turnout is one measure of the public’s trust in government. Unfortunately, there’s evidence to suggest a growing lack of political engagement among Americans,” said Diana Polk, WalletHub Communications Manager.
Among developed nations, the U.S. is rank 30 of 35 when it comes to voter turnout. That’s no surprise, considering many states don’t emphasize civic education in their schools. Large proportions of the public fail even simple knowledge tests such as knowing whether one’s state requires identification in order to vote.
Election Day is November 8th this year.
This article was updated to reflect accuracy from a previous post and to credit Wallet Hub for their research.