In 2022, the New Jersey Legislature passed legislation mandating the collection and analysis of data, specifically regarding race/ethnicity and gender, about the state’s elected officials. Directing the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University to conduct this research and maintain a database of elected officials, the legislature aimed to close knowledge gaps on the demographics of elected officials who represent the interests of the citizens of New Jersey at the local, county, state, and federal levels. In this second report of the series, we provide details on methods we used to update the data from the original report and track changes in the data from year to year. As in the first installment, the data reveals the persistent underrepresentation of women and significant disparities in representation among various racial/ethnic groups. Finally, we offer updates to our recommendations for creating a model for the sustainable collection of this data over time, as well as practical interventions aimed at diversifying the pool of the state’s elected leaders.
From Data to Diversity 2025