Democratic-leaning Cumberland County contains 18% of the battleground 2nd Congressional District possible vote total, and at this point, with eight days to go, 31,000 people (or 34%) and counting have already submitted their vote- by-mail ballots.

The county’s a battleground within a battleground, for the allies of Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy have made Cumberland, Atlantic, Gloucester and Salem their targets to galvanize voters in the closing days of their attempt to wrest the seat here from U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2). Their primary area of engagement includes Vineland, Bridgeton and Millville.

In Atlantic, where early returns showed moribund performance in Atlantic City but a brisker pace in the suburbs, Working Families volunteers are closing the season with a voter enfranchisement drive, according to their leader Sue Altman.

“We’re prepared for a very big turnout on Election Day,” said Altman.

As part of the final drive, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) are very engaged for

Kennedy.

Building Trades visibility is not as high.

If Kennedy forces are trying to maximize their troops for the finish line, so is the GOP in support of Van Drew, sensing late energy for their ticket.

“A lot of Republicans still haven’t voted yet,” said state Senator Mike Testa (R-1) of Vineland, who last year wrenched his senate seat out of the Democrats’ hands. A judge’s decision opposing Republican efforts challenging the almost-all-VBM election now puts the pressure on the GOP to comply with the rules rather than wait for their overturning.

“Now that the results of the lawsuit came out, there will be a much bigger push, and more of a statewide trend by the GOP,” said Testa. “From what I’m hearing, to this point Democrats have done a better job of getting in mail-in ballots.”

Sources in both parties say Van Drew’s and Kennedy’s political fortunes may hinge on the presidential  collision at the top of the ticket, and there Testa is confident.

“There’s a silent majority out there for Donald J. Trump, in both my legislative district, and the congressional district,” said the senator. “There is far more support in South Jersey almost everywhere for Donald J. Trump than Joe Biden, and what’s interesting is not so much that they support him or his policies – it’s more of an anti-Trump sentiment.”

Democrats, of course, disagree, starting with Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, who trusts Trump’s troubled business history in the region will motivate voters in support of the Biden-Kennedy ticket.