The polls are open in New Jersey.

Headlining the ballot is the closely watched and hotly contested race for governor.

Incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine and Republican challenger Chris Christie have been running nearly even in the polls, with Independent Chris Daggett attracting enough support to have an influence on the outcome.

Wednesday’s outcome will be decided in the trenches. That means manning the phones, working the room and hitting the streets.

Independent candidate Chris Dagget is still enthusiastically chatting up voters about cutting costs.

Dagget’s role as a potential spoiler is in question now that his poll numbers are hovering between 8 and 12 percent. But New Jersey elections are notoriously unpredictable, which is why the incumbent isn’t letting up.

“You know it’s an important election when our president comes here three times over four months,” said Corzine.

The stakes are incredibly high for Corzine, the Obama administration and the entire Democratic party.

“The contrast between my opponent and me could not be sharper. If you want middle class tax cuts, if you want rebates, if you want senior freeze, ours is the direction to take,” said Corzine from the campaign trail.

But Christie believes he offers an alternative.

“We feel really good about where we are and I think New Jersey is ready for a change.”

The Republican challenger, who’s trying to give Republican’s their first Garden State gubernatorial victory in twelve years, is currently in a statistical dead heat with Corzine. Christie says even though he’s been outspent by the governor, the tight race tells him residents are ready for a change.

“I think it shows you two things. There’s a great level of discontent about the governor and how he’s failed the people of this state, and his performance. Second, I think our message is getting through,” said Christie.

Voters also will choose 80 members of the state Assembly, two state senators and mayors of cities including Camden, Atlantic City and Hoboken.

Also on the ballot is a $400 million open space referendum.

The polls are open until 8 p.m.

(Source: CBS2 HD)