Inquirer staff writer Matt Spolar reports:

At about 9:45, independent candidate Chris Daggett conceded.

"The one thing we don’t know is who won this election but we know it's not us," Daggett said

He said his supporters should back either Corzine or Christie if elected.

"When we do find out who won we need to get behind that person," he said

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Things are almost eerily quiet at the Corzine event, at the East Brunswick Hilton Hotel. Blue and white helium balloons and red white and blue table toppers have been set throughout the main room as well as the hallway immediately outside. A half dozen bars are set up, but the bartenders have had little work. Two large tables are set up for food: breaded chicken tenders, hot dogs and sauerkraut, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels and cookies.

Congressman Frank Pallone, the chairman for Corzine's re-election campaign, said the governor is very upbeat, enthusiastic and energetic. The two went to three labor rallies earlier in the day and Pallone said Corzine is confident of victory. He said that Corzine has been able to show leadership despite a tough economy.

"I believe that Jon will be re-elected," Pallone said.

Corzine is said to be at the hotel, watching television with his girlfriend, Sharon Elghanayan and some of his children.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Inquirer staff writer Matt Spolar reports:

Inside the Dolce Hotel and Resort in Chris Daggett's hometown of Basking Ridge, media and campaign officials gathered in a conference room dotted with green balloons -- the independent candidate's signature color -- to watch the returns. Daggett was expected to arrive at 8 p.m., having spent the early part of the day walking the streets of Fort Lee and doing an interview on MSNBC.

"New Jersey's got 2.4 million independent voters and you can't tell independent voters what to do," Daggett spokesman Tom Johnson said. "They're going to decide this race."

Mark Magyar, policy director for the campaign, said the campaign was the tightest he's seen since entering the thick of New Jersey politics as a reporter in 1976, noting that Daggett had polled anywhere between 11 and 20 percent over the last three weeks.

"We think people who have told pollsters they're going to vote for Daggett, really are going to vote for Daggett," he said, citing new voter support as key.

One of the problems Daggett has faced is the fact that he is not afforded top ballot placement like the two mainstream party candidates. Today, Magyar said volunteers had gathered at train stations in all 21 counties, passing out business-card sized reminders of where Daggett's name was located in their county.

In recent days, the campaign had focused on four counties -- Bergen, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean -- thought to have a high concentration of independent voters, he said.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Inquirer staff writer Jan Hefler reports:

There was a steady stream of voters tonight at the Washington Township Board of Education polling place in Gloucester County, and most said the tight governor’s race brought them out.

Robert Day, a doctor who lives in the Sewell section of the town, said he decided on Corzine just this morning because he “knows more about economics” and that’s important because Day feels the country is in dire shape. Day said he normally votes Republican but he believes “Corzine just got hamstrung by what happened” with the economy and is not to blame.

Day said that the state has no money and is going to have to raise some taxes, like on gasoline, to make ends meet. He doesn’t understand how Christie can say he won’t raise taxes while the state is broke. “You can’t reduce taxes,” Day said.

Day also felt Corzine’s commercials were effective, especially the one that called attention to Christie’s weight. “It’s a health issue. If he doesn’t take care of himself, how is he going to take care of me?” said Day.

Day said he wouldn’t vote for Daggett, because that would be “like throwing your vote away.”

Candace Sleeman, 48, a project manager with Comcast, said she too made up her mind this morning, and reluctantly went with Corzine. If elections were held yesterday, she might have stayed home, she said.

“I held my nose and voted for Corzine,” she said, explaining that he has done nothing about her property taxes, which rose 22 percent this year. And though she voted for Obama, she said his support of Corzine didn’t influence her.

The deciding factor, she said, was she believes Christie “has some ethical problems. I don’t think he’s honest,” she said. Even Michael Palin, with Monty Python is taking legal action against him for copyright infringement.

“He doesn’t even care about following copyright laws,” she said.

Scott Fritzsch, who works for an insurance company, voted for Christie “because Corzine is a buffoon.” Fritzsch, 30, said Corzine “doesn’t care about voters – it’s all about unions and state employees. He raises tolls on the turnpike and the parkway, and taxes went up a lot,” he said. His wife, Alexandra, a television producer-writer, said “we really need a change.”

Bob Cagey, an IT tech, also favors Christie because he faults Corzine for the high property taxes and for taking away tax rebates. “Corzine is costing me way too much money,” he said. “And, the Democrats control New Jersey too much and it’s too corrupt.”

Kerstin McCusker, 25, a registered nurse, says she voted for Corzine mainly because of a TV political commercial that said Christie didn’t pay all his taxes. “That’s absolutely ridiculous,” she said.

Susan Finn, 53, a dog groomer, said she voted for Daggett because “the other two threw mud and never said what they would do.” She admired Daggett for saying “if you don’t have the money you don’t spend it.” That made sense to her.

An independent voter, Finn said she opposed Christie because of all his traffic tickets and his claims that “none were his fault.” She said Corzine is “same old, same old” on the economy and didn’t do enough to lower property taxes or to keep jobs in the state.

Her husband, Frank Finn, 56, who owns a pet kennel, agreed. “Daggett talked the talk.” Finn said he didn’t feel his vote wouldn’t count, because he believes Daggett has a good chance at winning. “No one thought the president would win, and he did,” said Finn.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

The Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers, a nonprofit group organized around local mass transit services, released tips today for getting around the city during the SEPTA strike:

If you usually ride the City Transit Division:

1. Know where your most convenient RRD station is and get a schedule.

2. If you need to drive to get to that station, figure out your best parking alternatives. Remember that all park/ride lots will fill up sooner, so have an alternate plan ready.

3. If you work for one of the universities or another big employer, talk to our transportation or human resources manager and see whether your employer will be running special buses in the event of a strike.

4. Buy your November transit pass as usual. Buy early: lines at SEPTA sales outlets will be long this week as weekly and monthly pass users will be buying their passes at the same time.

5. Buy a couple of round trip tickets for the proper zone of your rail station. If there’s a strike, lines to purchase train tickets will be long, and if there isn’t a strike, you can use or redeem the tickets later. Tickets can be redeemed up to 180 days from the purchase date.

6. Make sure your supervisor at work knows you are one of the ones who will be affected by a transit strike. If you can arrange it, try making plans for a telecommute the first day or two of a strike, when the delays and disruption will be at their worst.

7. If you’re not traveling to work or other time-sensitive appointments, consider changing your travel plans and going during off-peak hours. It might be a nice time to stay late in Center City and enjoy a restaurant meal or do some shopping instead of waiting in line for the train.

8. Consider other transportation alternatives like carpooling or bicycling, both to get to work and to get around your community.

9. See our RRD travel advisory for more information on the trains.

If you usually ride the Suburban Transit Division

1. Check with SEPTA for route detours and schedule changes in case of a City Transit strike. Market-Frankford connections will not be available, so most service will be designed to connect people with Regional Rail.

2. Know where your best connections to Center City are. For some riders, your fastest route may involve riding outbound, away from 69th Street, first.

3. Pick up a train schedule and some tickets in advance. Not all stations have ticket offices, and if there isn’t a strike, you can use or redeem the tickets later. Tickets can be redeemed up to 180 days from the purchase date.

4. Remember that the 124 and 125 buses may also shut down in the event of a City Transit strike.

5. Look at the City Transit and Regional Rail tips for more information.

If you usually ride SEPTA Regional Rail:

1. Buy your monthly or weekly pass early (hint: try mornings at the Center City stations). Lines at SEPTA sales offices will be long at the end of this week. If you buy individual or ten-ride tickets, buy a couple of weeks worth in advance of a possible strike so you can avoid the lines. Tickets can be redeemed up to 180 days from the purchase date.

2. If you park and ride, make sure you are prepared for additional traffic at your station. If you regularly get one of the last available spaces, make sure you know where alternative parking places are: they could be at a nearby station, or at some unofficial location like a nearby church or shopping center. If you’re thinking about one of those places, make sure to speak to the people there and secure permission to park.

3. Consider alternate access routes to your station like bicycling or carpooling.

4. If you make a connection to the Market-Frankford Line or other transit routes to get to your destination, be prepared to find alternate transportation. If you work west of 30th Street, you can use the LUCY bus, which is operated under a separate contract and may not be affected by the strike.

5. Be prepared for extra crowding on your train. Carry as little baggage as possible, and use the overhead racks for luggage and other belongings: do not put them on the seat next to yours.

6. Be prepared for delays. Most trains will be late because of the extra passengers they have to carry, or from being behind other late trains. If you need to be in town or back home at a specific time, consider catching the train before your usual train so you’ll have time to spare.

7. Be prepared to line up for access to your train in Center City. Access to the platforms will be limited both for safety purposes and for fare control. Wear comfortable shoes and bring something to read while you wait.

8. Consider switching your boarding station in Center City. 30th Street and Market East will probably be less crowded than Suburban Station. If you want to make sure you get a seat, board Reading-side trains at 30th Street and PRR-side trains at Market East.

9. When leaving Center City, don’t wait for your train’s scheduled time. Head for the station whenever you are ready to leave, and you may find that a preceding train has been delayed and is at the station ready for you.

10. The QuietRide program will not be in effect for the duration of a strike. Please use your best manners when making phone calls, bringing a snack or drink on the train, and everywhere else, and encourage others to do the same. Think of those transit division refugees as our guests, and show them what a nice experience it is traveling by train.

Inquirer staff writer Jacqueline L. Urgo reports:

Outside the administration building at Tip Seamen Park, voters in Tuckerton were among those in southern Ocean County casting ballots that could make or break Christie’s chances of being elected governor.

Ocean County has long been a Republican stronghold, but Democrats here say a scandal involving Republican Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt of Ocean Township, who was arrested in a federal corruption sting this past summer, may help them make in-roads with conservatives. The area, which encompasses 90 percent of this state’s Ninth Legislative District, is among the state’s oldest: over 30 percent of the population is 65 or older.

The area also ranks first in the state in the percentage of eligible voters registered to vote and third in turnout, according to data from the Rutgers University Center for Government Services.

“I cannot see how anyone, Democrat or Republican, would ever vote for Jon Corzine again,” said Frank Kremer, 47. “Even if I thought he did do a good job, I wouldn’t have voted for him because I’m a Republican. But he certainly didn’t do a good job.”

Kremer, who says he votes in every election, noted that turnout to him seemed heavier than usual at the park administration building for late-afternoon.

But Loretta Jobs, 68, who recently moved to Tuckerton from Staten Island, N.Y. to retire, said she would vote “for the Democrats, all down the line, no matter who they are.”

“I think so many Republicans get elected because they stick together,” Jobs said. “They never even consider voting for a Democrat. But a Democrat, being more open minded to begin with, will consider a candidate like Daggett, who doesn’t really have a chance. And that’s where all out votes go. Democrats need to learn the fine art of sticking together.”

Coming out of the Hammonton Town Hall in Atlantic County, Brenda Ciccarone, said she was splitting her ticket between voting for the Republicans running for mayor and council in her town and the Democrat for governor.

“I always vote for the person, not the party,” said Ciccarone, who considers herself an Independent. “I like Corzine. I think he’s been trying to do what’s best for New Jersey. The problems with the economy are not his fault.”

Ciccarone said she liked the fact that Corzine had used his own funds to finance his campaign, while both Daggett and Christie had taken public money.

Voters in Hammonton and throughout various parts of Atlantic County said they think voter turnout seemed avarage for a gubernatorial race.

“The governors race is always a hot ticket,” quipped one poll worker in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, who did not want to be identified. “As people get off work, the lines will start to get a little longer.”

Linda Booker, of Galloway Township, who works as a cocktail waitress at an Atlantic City casino, said she was willing to wait no matter how long it took.

“I do not want to see Christie elected governor,” Booker said. “I’m not really a Democrat or a Republican, but I don’t think we need another George Bush-type politician running the show. That’s what got us in all the trouble we’re in.”

But John Gove of Galloway Township said he is angry with Corzine and doesn’t particularly like Christie.

“I’m going with Daggett,” sid Gove, 27.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

The City of Philadelphia has relaxed some parking restrictions during the SEPTA strike. The added spaces and restrictions, plus a map, are below:

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Inquirer staff writer Jacqueline L. Urgo reports:

By early afternoon things were getting decidely ugly at the beauty supply store. Outside the Ulta on Route 73 in Marlton sisters Devon and Dina Schreiber were hosting their own debate.

The 21-year-old twins were being urged by their mom, via cell phone, to go and vote on their way home from shopping. Mom, by the way, voted Democrat.

Devon seemed convinced. The early education major at Rowan University, she said she is squarely behind reelecting Corzine.

But Dina, a bio-engineering student at Boston University taking a semester off, said she can’t bring herself to cast a reelection vote for the governor because of his various policies involving taxes. She was thinking of voting for Daggett, until it occurred to her that that vote “might not really count in the scheme of things.”

“We saw what happened the last time people started making protest votes and Bush got elected,” Dina Schreiber said. “My boyfriend’s a Republican and keeps on telling me I should go for Christie. But I don’t like him either. But that’s who I’ll probably go with.”

“If you vote for Christie I’ll never speak to you again,” Devon Schreiber told her sister, who stuck her tongue out in reply. “And you can’t borrow any of my clothese anymore.”

The pair were still arguing as they drove off.

In Moorestown, Claire Somers said she had been “hounded” by the “Republican machine” to put a sign on her lawn supporting Christie.

“I guess I’m not completely sold on Christie, but I am willing to give him a chance,” said Somers, 42, who voted for the Republican. “I think we need a change in Trenton.”

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Inquirer staff writer Bonnie Cook reports:

Outside St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 36 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, which is Ward Four, Precinct 2 in Lower Merion, senior citizen Myrna Zachary said she had come to vote for Steve Lindner "because he came to our meeting yesterday." Zachary lives in nearby housing for seniors.

At mid-day, 95 people had already voted, a relatively high turnout for that time of day.

"We haven't even had the lunch rush or the commuters' rush," said Judge of Elections Lynda Muse.

Poll watchers said there was interest in the Fourth Ward commissioner's race pitting Lindner against Republican Dominic Liberi. The pair are vying for the seat previously held by Maryam Walker Phillips. The seat was held by Ardmore's Ora Pierce before Phillips assumed it.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.