NEW YORK, NY January 31, 2008 —That's presenting a real opportunity for the Garden State's first time voters.

WNYC's Bob Hennelly has more.

There are more independents in New Jersey than Democrats and Republicans combined.

Ramapo College student Tom Magatey is one of them. He has his absentee ballot, but he's still still going back and forth over which primary to vote in. He likes Obama, but...

MAGATEY: I actually have been looking at McCain as well. So, I really kind of am a moderate-independent. So I'm not entirely sure who I'm going to declare for. I think I would declare Democrat. I still like McCain. I like campaign finance reform.

Historically, New Jersey's late June primary meant the state was more a place to raise campaign cash than to woo potential voters. Not so this year.

For WNYC, I'm Bob Hennelly.