Voters finally say no to public questions

In something of a surprise, given pre-election polling data, both the stem cell research and sales tax dedication public questions were defeated. They were the first questions to be rejected by New Jersey voters since 1990, snapping a streak of 32 consecutive approvals.
The stem cell question was rejected by a margin of about 53 to 47 percent. It was approved in only five counties - Bergen, Camden, Essex, Hudson and Mercer. Ocean County voters rejected it 65 to 35 percent - tied with Cumberland County for the highest rejection rate in the state - and Monmouth voters opposed it 57 to 43 percent.
Permanently dedicating 1 cent of the 7-cent sales tax to property tax relief was rejected by a similar margin. It was approved in seven counties - Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer and Salem. The question was rejected 59 to 41 percent in Monmouth County and 62 to 38 percent in Ocean - the highest rejection rate in the state.
The farmland preservation question was approved, 54 to 46 percent and the questioning amending language in the state constitution passed 60 to 40 percent.