Essex County Sheriff Election Results: Jones Leads Pansini (UPDATED)

This article was updated at 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. See certified results here.

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County voters went to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots for several candidates in the 2024 general election, including a new sheriff.

Amir Jones and Nicholas Pansini went head-to-head in the general election, which culminated on Nov. 5 after opening for mail-in and early voting earlier this month. Polls closed at 8 p.m. >> Want local election results? Sign up for free Patch email alerts.

With 98.26 percent of districts reported, Jones has a wide lead over Pansini. Here are the latest uncertified election results, as per the Essex County Clerk’s Office (check back for updates):

• Amir Jones (Democrat) – 197,333 votes (72.24%)
• Nicholas Pansini (Republican) – 75,831 votes (27.76%)

This year’s contest for Essex County sheriff was unusually competitive due to Armando Fontoura’s retirement. Fontoura, a Democrat, served in the seat for decades, routinely winning elections by wide margins. See Related: Essex County’s Longest-Tenured Sheriff Won’t Seek Re-Election

A heated primary election took place in June, with Jones beating out Gary Nash for the Democratic Party nomination, and Pansini triumphing over Robert Bianco for the Republican Party nod.

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