2016 United States Presidential Election in New Jersey
On November 8, 2016, New Jersey participated in the United States presidential election, casting its votes to select electors for the Electoral College—the formal body that elects the President and Vice President. The contest featured Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State from New York, and her running mate Senator Tim Kaine, against Republican nominee Donald Trump, a businessman, and his running mate Governor Mike Pence.
With 14 electoral votes at stake, New Jersey became a key piece of the national electoral map. While the state ultimately favored the Democratic ticket, the results revealed shifting political dynamics across the region's diverse counties and congressional districts.
Key Facts
- Winner: Hillary Clinton won the state with 55.45% of the popular vote.
- Margin: Clinton defeated Donald Trump by a 14-point margin.
- Turnout: Voter turnout was 68.13%.
- Electoral Votes: All 14 electoral votes were awarded to the Democratic ticket.
- Historical Shift: For the first time since 1932, New Jersey voted Democratic while neighboring Pennsylvania voted Republican.
Primary Elections
Before the general election, New Jersey held presidential primaries on June 7, 2016. These primaries allowed registered party members and unaffiliated voters to help determine the nominees for the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian parties.
Democratic Primary
The Democratic primary was a contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Clinton secured a decisive victory, earning 63.32% of the vote and 91 total delegates (79 pledged and 12 unpledged).
Republican Primary
The Republican primary featured three candidates, though Ted Cruz and John Kasich had withdrawn prior to the primary date. Donald Trump dominated the field, winning 80.41% of the vote and securing all 51 available delegates.
General Election Results
Leading up to the election, nearly every major political forecaster—including CNN, Fox News, and the Cook Political Report—categorized New Jersey as "Safe D" or "Likely D." This prediction held true, as Hillary Clinton secured 2,148,278 votes compared to Donald Trump's 1,601,933.
Despite the victory, Clinton's performance was slightly lower than that of President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. A notable historical anomaly occurred as Donald Trump became the first Republican to win the presidency without carrying Somerset County since Benjamin Harrison in 1888.
Vote Distribution by County
The election results highlighted a geographic divide. Clinton performed strongly in urban and suburban hubs, particularly in Essex (76.97%) and Hudson (74.32%) counties. Conversely, Trump found significant support in the shore and southern regions, winning Ocean County with 64.71% and Sussex County with 62.08%.
| County | Hillary Clinton (%) | Donald Trump (%) | Margin (%) | Total Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex | 76.97% | 20.19% | +56.78% | 312,884 |
| Hudson | 74.32% | 22.24% | +52.08% | 220,542 |
| Ocean | 31.49% | 64.71% | -33.22% | 276,725 |
| Bergen | 54.76% | 41.57% | +13.19% | 422,213 |
| Sussex | 32.21% | 62.08% | -29.87% | 75,158 |
Political Analysis and Trends
The 2016 data reveals a distinct shift in voter behavior. Suburban areas in central and northern New Jersey trended more Democratic. Clinton saw improvements over Obama in Union, Somerset, and Morris counties. In Morris County, she came within 5% of winning—a significant shift for a county that had not voted for a Democrat since 1964.
In contrast, southern New Jersey and the shore counties moved toward the Republican ticket. Trump flipped Salem County and became the first Republican to win Gloucester County since 1988. The four shore counties (Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May) saw a surge in Republican support, moving from a 6% margin for Mitt Romney in 2012 to a 17% margin for Trump in 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2016 presidential election in New Jersey?
Hillary Clinton won the state, receiving 55.45% of the popular vote and all 14 of New Jersey's electoral votes.
How did the 2016 results compare to previous Democratic performances?
While Clinton won, her vote share was 2.9% lower than Barack Obama's winning percentage in the 2012 election.
Which counties flipped from Democratic to Republican in 2016?
Gloucester County and Salem County both flipped from Democratic to Republican during the 2016 election.
What was the voter turnout for the election in New Jersey?
The voter turnout was 68.13%, representing a slight increase of 1.22%.
How did the Republican primary results look in New Jersey?
Donald Trump won the Republican primary decisively with 80.41% of the vote, securing all 51 delegates.