Primary elections took place on June 6, 2017. New Jersey utilizes a semi-closed primary system, meaning that only registered party members may vote in primary elections. However, unaffiliated voters can change their party registration and vote in either party primary on the day of the election. The deadline to file petitions to qualify for primary elections was April 3, 2017. Eleven contenders submitted petitions which satisfied the minimum 1,000 signatures required. On April 18, 2017, as is required by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, the candidates' financial disclosures, showing the sources of earned income and unearned income, were made public. Gubernatorial primary candidates utilized what is known as the "matching funds" program. Those who raised at least $430,000 qualified to receive two dollars in public money for every dollar they raised privately. State law mandates that any primary candidates who qualify for matching funds must participate in at least two primary debates. Candidates who choose not to seek matching funds but commit to raising and spending at least $430,000 can also participate. As of May 8, 2017, in addition to contributions from New Jerseyeans, primary candidates had received donations from 10 other states. The first debates were held on May 9 and were hosted by Stockton University. The Republicans were the first to debate followed by the Democrats. The debates were live-streamed on Facebook, the university's website via Livestream and on News 12 New Jersey. The live stream was also simulcasted in Spanish. The second Democratic debate was held on May 11 while the second Republican debate took place on May 18. They were co-hosted by PBS Member network NJTV and NJ Spotlight. The Republican debates included two of the five candidates: Jack Ciattarelli and Kim Guadagno, who both qualified for matching funds. Hirsh Singh filed a lawsuit to enter the debates, claiming to have raised over $900,000 despite missing a deadline to file. His challenge was rejected by the state courts. The Democratic debates included four of the six candidates: Jim Johnson, John Wisniewski, Phil Murphy, and Raymond Lesniak.
