Associated Press

TRENTON — New Jersey's congressional delegation will get at least three new faces and its first female member in more than a decade as a result of Tuesday's election.

Voters also are deciding on a couple of amendments to the state constitution and the fate of some mayors in towns where recovery from Superstorm Sandy has been a driving issue.

Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

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SURE CHANGE IN THE HOUSE DELEGATION

New Jersey's 12-member delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives will have at least three new members.

In central New Jersey's 12th District, Democratic Rep. Rush Holt isn't seeking re-election, clearing the way for New Jersey to get its first congresswoman in more than a decade. Longtime state lawmaker Bonnie Watson Coleman, a Democrat, is expected to win re-election against Alieta Eck, a Republican.

A female candidate also has a chance in the most closely watched congressional race in the state, also for an open seat. In the 3rd District, stretching from the Philadelphia suburbs to the shore, Democrat Aimee Belgard and Republican Tom MacArthur are seeking to replace Republican Jon Runyan, who isn't seeking re-election after two terms. MacArthur has put $5 million of his own money into his campaign. The race has attracted nearly $3.5 million in independent expenditures, by far the most of any New Jersey district.

In the 1st District near Philadelphia, Democratic Rep. Rob Andrews resigned this year. Democrats nominated state Sen. Donald Norcross, the brother of party powerbroker George Norcross, to take the seat. He's a major favorite over former Philadelphia Eagles player Garry Cobb, a Republican.

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INSURGENT DEMOCRATS ELSEWHERE

In a midterm election when President Barack Obama's popularity is down, Republicans have an edge across the country.

But in New Jersey this year, a couple of Democratic challengers have gained some momentum. Some polls have shown two of them within striking distance of longtime Republican representatives.

Still, it would be a major upset and surprise if Democrat Roy Cho defeated Rep. Scott Garrett in northern New Jersey's 5th District or if William Hughes Jr. unseated Frank LoBiondo in southern New Jersey's 2nd District.

The most recent polls have shown the Republicans widening their leads.

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EARLY TEST FOR A NEW SENATOR

Cory Booker was elected just last year to serve the remaining year-plus of the late U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg's term.

Now, the Democrat is up for re-election. The winner will get a full six-year term.

He's being challenged by Republican Jeff Bell, a former speechwriter for Ronald Reagan who moved back to the state this year to seek the seat.

Bell's low-budget campaign has been concerned mostly with calling on the country to return the dollar to the gold standard.

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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Voters are being asked to add amendments to the state constitution.

One would nix the state's guarantee to bail for people accused of crimes as part of a major overhaul of the state's bail system. Supporters want to let judges keep suspects considered dangerous behind bars as they await trial and let suspects considered low risk to get out of jail more easily. There's not much opposition to the idea, but some civil rights advocates are uneasy about stopping a constitutional protection.

A second question would permanently dedicate a percentage of the state's corporate business tax to funding open space preservation. All 11 statewide open space ballot questions since 1961 have passed. But this one faces opposition from some on the right who say it should not be a priority and some environmentalists who say it would cut funding for other environmental projects.

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SANDY GETS POLITICAL

The seaside tourist town of Belmar was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy two years ago.

By the next spring, the town was the first in New Jersey to finish rebuilding a storm-wrecked boardwalk. The storm recovery has been a major issue in the mayoral race there.

Democrat Matt Doherty is seeking re-election against Republican Councilman Jim Bean.

Doherty's plan to rebuild two pavilions on the boardwalk was rejected on a referendum. Opponents, including Bean, say the plans were too elaborate and expensive and were made at the expense of fixing flooding at Silver Lake, near the ocean.

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CHRISTIE'S ROLE

New Jersey's best-known politician, Gov. Chris Christie, isn't on the ballot this year.

But as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, he has been a key figure nationally, campaigning and raising money in gubernatorial races.

Thirty-four of them are to be decided Tuesday.

Christie has traveled across the country, and notably to Iowa and New Hampshire, the states with the first presidential caucus and primary in 2016.

He has not said whether he's running, but he certainly has not ruled it out.