51st State? The day that South Jersey voted to leave New Jersey

In the ’80s, not too many kids were as politically aware as their adult selves are today. For us late ’70s and early ’80s kids, we were more concerned about hanging out with friends, maybe finding a Friday night keg party in the woods, playing sports, or spinning Led Zeppelin’s new In Through The Out Door LP.

At that same time, I remember my dad attending Board of Education meetings in Mays Landing, where there was talk of South Jersey seceding from the state of New Jersey.

Why South Jersey Wanted Out of New Jersey

For years, I’d heard the old-timers complain that their hard-earned tax dollars were being funneled into infrastructure projects in North and Central Jersey. The feeling of political and economic neglect by the state government in Trenton was strong.

Many South Jerseyans felt the state capital was more aligned with North Jersey interests—and honestly, even today, the cultural differences between North and South Jersey remain striking.

Historically, many residents in the southern counties have felt underrepresented and underserved.

The 1980 Secession Vote: Jersey's Civil Split?

So in the mid-’70s, a group of residents launched a campaign to get a non-binding referendum on the 1980 ballot to split off South Jersey and form the 51st state.

The effort was viewed as quirky, mostly sincere, and somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

The secession question did, in fact, appear on the November 4, 1980 ballot—the same election in which Ronald Reagan was elected President.

Counties that included the question were Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Ocean, and Salem. Camden and Gloucester opted not to put the question on their ballots.

Leaving New Jersey was favored in all counties where the question appeared—except Ocean County.

What Stopped the Secession? A Legal Wall and a Shrug

But even though the total vote favored secession, it wasn’t meant to be. The U.S. Constitution makes it extremely difficult to create a new state from an existing one.

It requires approval from both the state legislature and Congress.

My dad and many of his friends—being proud Pineys—strongly supported the idea.

But looking back, I’m glad it didn’t happen. I love the differences, the quirks, and the uniqueness of every part of our state.

As we’ve said on our radio station for 35 years: We’re proud to be New Jersey!