In addition to races for governor, state Legislature, and local offices, voters will be asked a pair of public questions on the ballot, determining whether the state constitution should be amended to:

Neither referendum has gotten much attention in this otherwise big voting year. There haven’t been major billboards or television ads supporting or opposing either one. And polls show the sports betting question isn’t a sure thing.

So here’s a closer look at each question as you prepare to head to the polls.

COLLEGE SPORTS BETTING
New Jersey legalized sports betting here in 2018 after winning a highly publicized court fight. And so far, it’s been profitable. The state has surpassed Nevada in sports wagering and last month became the first state to take in more than a $1 billion in sports bets in a single month.

But under current state law, you can’t place bets in New Jersey on college sports teams located here or college sports events that take place here. That means no betting on Rutgers football or Seton Hall basketball. You have to drive to Delaware, Pennsylvania, or some other state to do so.

In fact, New Jersey is the only state with legal sports wagering that doesn’t allow bets on in-state college sports.

If this referendum passes, that would change. It would allow legislators to change the law to permit New Jersey’s casinos and racetracks to allow betting on all college sports.

Lawmakers said the original law excluded in-stage college teams and events to help prevent game-fixing. The fear was collegiate sports would be more susceptible because athletes aren’t paid.

But sponsors of the referendum say they’re confident in the state’s oversight.

They also say this will help bring in more money to help a casino industry that has struggled during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We just thought it was time,” said state Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, D-Monmouth, a sponsor of the plan. “It creates a broader range of people being able to bet on sports.”

Still, it’s unclear whether the referendum has enough support to pass. A Stockton University poll released Thursday found 51% of likely voters in New Jersey oppose the amendment, compared to 37% in favor. A Fairleigh Dickinson University survey released Friday showed 41% are against it, while 39% back it.

“There hasn’t been much publicity around this ballot question, and a lot of people are going to miss it, or skip it,” said Dan Cassino, the poll’s executive director and a government and politics professor at FDU. “It’s much closer than it was before, and there are many voters who aren’t going to make a decision about it until they get into the ballot box.”

The full question on the ballot Tuesday is:

“Do you approve amending the Constitution to permit wagering through casinos and current or former horse racetracks on all college sport or athletic events?”

“Currently, wagering is prohibited on college sport or athletic events that take place in New Jersey. Wagering is also prohibited on an event in which a team from a New Jersey college participates.”

GAMES OF CHANCE
The other question on the ballot Tuesday isn’t as glitzy. But it could affect local gatherings and events across New Jersey.

Currently, the state constitution allows only certain nonprofits, such as military veteran and senior citizen groups, to use the net proceeds from games of chance — such as Bingo and raffles — to fund their operations. If approved, this question would allow any nonprofit in New Jersey to do so.

Sponsors of the measure say it will help nonprofits that have face financial issues because of COVID-19.

State Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, D-Bergen, a sponsor, said this would help the more than 30,000 people employed at nonprofits in the Garden State.

“These hard-working employees perform incredibly important jobs and the pandemic has dramatically impacted these programs’ ability to function,” Johnson said. “The net proceeds from game nights will provide much needed support for these organizations.”

The full question on the ballot Tuesday is:

“Do you approve amending the Constitution to permit all groups that are allowed to conduct bingo or raffles to use the net proceeds from those games to support their groups?”

“Currently, only veterans and senior citizen groups may use the net proceeds from those games to support their groups. All other groups that are permitted to conduct bingo or raffles may only use the proceeds from those games for certain purposes. They are not permitted to use those proceeds to support their groups. The amendment would allow the other groups that conduct bingo or raffles to use the proceeds to support their groups as well.”

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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @johnsb01.

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