On election day, 28 October 1802, incumbent
Democratic-Republican Governor
Joseph Bloomfield received the same amount of votes from the
New Jersey General Assembly as his opponent
Federalist nominee
Richard Stockton, resulting in a deadlocked election. On 25 November 1802, it was decided to appoint the vice-president of the Legislative Council
John Lambert as Acting Governor so he could serve out the one-year term, thereby retaining Democratic-Republican control over the office of Governor. Lambert was sworn in as Acting Governor on 25 November 1802.[2]