Just because Barack Obama and Frank Lautenberg are expected to win by double digits in Democratic-leaning New Jersey, and most of the state's congressional districts are foregone conclusions, don't think your vote won't matter on Tuesday.
The state Department of the Public Advocate issued an unscientific study the other day that says since 2006, 51 elections in New Jersey were decided by less than 1 percentage point. The department said there have been 15 elections in that span where one vote would have affected the outcome and 12 close contests that needed second elections because of a tie or dispute.
It's been nearly 30 years since a statewide election has been decided by less than 1 percentage point, according to the report. In 1981 Thomas Kean defeated James Florio by 1,797 votes out of 2.3 million, or .08 of a percentage point. It took nearly two months to confirm the outcome. Florio would have to wait for Kean to serve two terms before winning the 1989 gubernatorial election.
Read the full report here.