Primary Election To Replace Sherrill In NJ-11 Enters Home Stretch (What To Know)

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The race to replace Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill in Congress is off and running, and a special primary election is just around the bend.

Residents of New Jersey’s 11th congressional district have been without a voice in the U.S. House of Representatives since Sherrill resigned in November. She was re-elected to her House seat in 2024. Her term ends in January 2027.

A crowded field of candidates are competing to fill the remainder of Sherrill’s unexpired term. Read More: Special Election To Replace Mikie Sherrill (Here’s What Happens Next)

A special primary election for Democrats and Republicans will take place on Feb. 5. There will be six days of in-person early voting (Jan. 29 to Feb. 3). The voter registration deadline is Thursday, Jan. 15.

A special general election including any independent or third-party candidates will be held on April 16. There will be nine days of in-person early voting (April 6 to April 14). The voter registration deadline is Thursday, March 26.

See early voting locations in Essex County here. Mail-in voters can see a list of secure ballot box locations here. Find your local polling place or learn more about voting in New Jersey here.

PRIMARY ELECTION IN ESSEX COUNTY

The Essex County Clerk’s Office has released a sample primary ballot for residents living in the 11th district (see list of towns and cities below).

Only one Republican candidate will be appearing on the ballot in the primary election: Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway.

Democrats who will appear on the primary ballot include:

• Community activist Analilia Mejia
• Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett
• Morris Township Deputy Mayor Jeff Grayzel
• New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way
• Community activist Anna Lee Williams
• Former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski
• Former Sherrill intern and congressional staffer Marc Chaaban (withdrawn from race)
• Venture capitalist and military veteran Zachary Beecher
• Former Barack Obama staffer Cammie Croft
• Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill
• Comedian and lawyer J-L Cauvin
• Chatham Borough Council Member Justin Strickland
• Maplewood Committee member Dean Dafis (withdrawn from race)

WHERE IS THE 11TH DISTRICT?

New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District includes the following municipalities:

Essex County – Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell

Morris County – Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Twp (part), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens

Passaic County – Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (part), Woodland Park

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