NJ 2026 Midterm Elections: A County-by-County Voter Guide

New Jersey voters will head to the polls Nov. 3 for the 2026 midterm elections, choosing who will represent them in Congress and in county and local government offices across the state.

Midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term, and although the presidency is not on the ballot, voters will elect the federal lawmakers and decide the local contests that affect public services, education, housing and other issues in their communities.

This year, NJ voters will elect a U.S. senator and representatives to the U.S. House across the state’s 12 congressional districts. Depending on where they live, residents may also vote in county and municipal elections, school board races and local ballot questions.

With early voting beginning Oct. 24, residents can prepare for the polls by checking their voter registration status, reviewing their sample ballots and deciding how they plan to vote.

The following guide covers important deadlines, voting options, candidates and official election resources for all 21 NJ counties.

Important Election Dates and Deadlines

According to the NJ Division of Elections, here are the remaining key dates for the Nov. 3 general election:

• Oct. 21: Sample ballots begin mailing to voters.
• Oct. 24-Nov. 1: Early in-person voting is available.
• Oct. 27: Deadline for county clerks to receive mail-in ballot applications submitted by mail.
• Oct. 30: Deadline for eligible military and overseas civilian voters to apply to receive their ballots electronically.
• Nov. 2: Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot in person at a county clerk’s office by 3 p.m.
• Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Nov. 3: Deadline to return completed mail-in ballots to authorized drop boxes or county boards of elections by 8 p.m.
• Nov. 5: Deadline for county boards of elections to receive qualifying mail-in ballots delivered by the U.S. Postal Service without a postmark.
• Nov. 9: Deadline for county boards of elections to receive qualifying mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day.
• Nov. 14: Deadline for county boards of elections to receive mail-in ballot cure forms.

A cure form allows voters to correct a missing or mismatched signature on their mail-in ballots. The county board of elections will notify affected voters (i.e., those whose information has been flagged and identity needs verifying) and provide the form with instructions on how to complete and return it. A sample form is available in Appendix B of the state’s guide. Residents can also track their ballot status online.

Three Ways to Vote in NJ

NJ voters can cast their ballots early in person, by mail or in person on Election Day.

Early In-Person Voting

Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 24, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1.

Early voting locations will be open from at least 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Unlike Election Day voting, residents can visit any designated early voting location within their county, regardless of their assigned Election Day polling place.

No appointment is required.

Residents can find participating locations through the state’s early voting information page.

Voting by Mail

Registered voters can apply for a mail-in ballot online or through their county clerk’s office.

Applications submitted by mail must be received by Oct. 27. Voters can also apply in person at their county clerk’s office until 3 p.m. Nov. 2.

Residents who requested a mail-in ballot but decide to vote in person should contact their county clerk. Depending on their vote-by-mail status, they may need to cast a paper provisional ballot instead of voting on a machine.

Completed mail-in ballots can be returned in three ways:

• By mail: Ballots must be postmarked by 8 p.m. Nov. 3 and received by the county board of elections by Nov. 9.
• Secure ballot drop box: Ballots must be placed in an authorized county drop box

by 8 p.m. Nov. 3.

• In person: Voters can deliver completed ballots directly to their county board of elections by 8 p.m. Nov. 3.

Mail-in ballots cannot be returned to regular polling locations or early voting sites.

After submitting their ballots, residents can check their status through the state’s Track My Ballot portal.

Voting on Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Unlike early voting, residents voting on Election Day must visit their assigned polling location.

Voters can find their designated location through the state’s Polling Place Search.

How to Check Your Voter Registration Status

Before heading to the polls, residents can confirm their registration information through the state’s Voter Search tool.

NJ does not offer voter registration on Election Day. Residents must already be registered to participate in the Nov. 3 election.

To be eligible to vote in NJ, individuals must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day and residents of their county for at least 30 days before the election.

Individuals serving a sentence of incarceration for an indictable offense are not eligible to vote while incarcerated. Voting rights are restored upon release, although individuals must be registered to vote.

Residents who recently moved, changed their names or notice an issue with their registration information should contact their county election officials for assistance.

What’s on the Ballot in NJ?

The 2026 general election includes races for the U.S. Senate and all 12 of NJ’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. senators serve six-year terms, while members of the House serve two-year terms. Both chambers help create federal laws, approve government spending and oversee federal agencies.

County and municipal races will also appear on ballots depending on where residents live.

County commissioners help oversee county budgets and services, including certain roads, parks and public programs. Municipal officials make decisions involving local budgets, public safety, zoning and development.

Some residents will also vote in school board elections or decide local ballot questions. School board members help oversee district policies, budgets and educational priorities.

Because congressional districts and municipal boundaries do not always follow county lines, residents living in the same county may see different candidates and questions on their ballots.

Voters can review the state’s official 2026 election information and candidate lists and contact their county clerk’s office for information about local races and sample ballots.

Who Is Running for U.S. Senate?

NJ voters will choose among four candidates for the U.S. Senate seat:

• Cory Booker: Democratic incumbent
• Justin Murphy: Republican
• Veronica Fernandez: End the Corruption! Party
• Joanne Kuniansky: Socialist Workers Party

The candidates and their ballot designations are listed on the state’s official 2026 election information page.

Voters can also review the official U.S. House candidate lists to find the candidates running in their congressional districts.

NJ 2026 Elections: County-by-County Voter Guide

Each of NJ’s 21 counties has election officials responsible for providing local voting information.

The following guide identifies the congressional districts covering each county and provides official resources for candidate lists, sample ballots, mail-in voting and election assistance.

Residents should review their individual sample ballots to confirm which candidates, offices and questions appear on their ballots. They can find more information through their county election officials.

Atlantic County

Atlantic County voters, including residents of Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township and Hamilton Township, can find local election information through the county clerk’s office.

The county’s candidate information page provides information about general election and school board candidates.

Congressional district: 2nd District

Official resources: Atlantic County Clerk and Atlantic County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 609-625-4011 or the board of elections at 609-645-5867.

Bergen County

Bergen County voters, including residents of Hackensack, Englewood and Teaneck, can review local election information through the county clerk’s office.

Residents should check their sample ballots for congressional, county, municipal and school board contests.

Congressional districts: 5th and 9th districts

Official resources: Bergen County Clerk and Bergen County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 201-336-7020 or the board of elections at 201-336-6225.

Burlington County

Burlington County residents can find election information, including local candidate lists, sample ballots and mail-in ballot instructions, through the county clerk’s office.

Congressional districts: 1st and 3rd districts

Official resources: Burlington County Clerk and Burlington County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 609-265-5229 or the board of elections at 609-265-5557.

Camden County

Camden County voters, including residents of Camden, Cherry Hill and Gloucester Township, can access information about local elections, registration, polling locations and vote-by-mail procedures.

Congressional district: 1st District

Official resources: Camden County Clerk and Camden County Voting and Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 856-225-7219 or the board of elections at 856-401-8683.

Cape May County

Cape May County voters can review local candidate lists, sample ballots and election procedures through the county clerk and election offices.

Congressional district: 2nd District

Official resources: Cape May County Clerk and Cape May County Votes.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 609-465-1013 or the board of elections at 609-465-1050.

Cumberland County

Cumberland County residents, including voters in Bridgeton, Millville and Vineland, can access election information through the county clerk and board of elections.

Congressional district: 2nd District

Official resources: Cumberland County Clerk and Cumberland County Votes.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 856-453-4860 or the board of elections at 856-453-5801.

Essex County

Essex County voters, including residents of Newark, East Orange, Irvington, Montclair and Bloomfield, will decide congressional and county races, along with applicable municipal and school board contests.

The county includes portions of NJ’s 8th, 10th and 11th congressional districts.

In the 8th Congressional District, candidates include Democrat Rob Menendez, independent Aristotle Eliopoulos, Craig Honts of the Socialist Workers Party and Da’Shone Hughey of We the People.

The 10th Congressional District race includes Democratic incumbent LaMonica McIver and Republican Carmen Bucco.

In the 11th Congressional District, candidates include Democrat Analilia Mejia, Republican Joe Hathaway and Alan B. Bond of Hope for Tomorrow.

Essex County voters will also decide the county executive race between Democratic incumbent Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. and Republican Maritza Mathews. County commissioner races will also appear on ballots.

Municipal contests vary. Residents should review their official sample ballots to confirm their congressional district, county commissioner candidates and any local or school board elections.

The Essex County Clerk’s Office provides candidate information and sample ballots, while the county board of elections can assist with registration and voting procedures.

Official resources: Essex County Clerk and Essex County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 973-621-4922 or the board of elections at 973-621-5070.

Gloucester County

Gloucester County residents can find local election information, including candidate lists, sample ballots and voting procedures, through the county’s Election Division.

Congressional districts: 1st and 2nd districts

Official resources: Gloucester County Election Division and Gloucester County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 856-384-4530 or the board of elections at 856-384-4500.

Hudson County

Hudson County voters, including residents of Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken and Union City, can access election information through the county clerk.

Congressional districts: 8th, 9th and 10th districts

Official resources: Hudson County Clerk and Hudson County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 201-369-3470 or the board of elections at 201-369-3435.

Hunterdon County

Hunterdon County voters can review local candidate lists, sample ballots and voting procedures through the county clerk and board of elections.

Congressional district: 7th District

Official resources: Hunterdon County Government and Hunterdon County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 908-788-1214 or the board of elections at 908-788-1190.

Mercer County

Mercer County voters, including residents of Trenton, Hamilton and Princeton, can find information about congressional and local elections through the county clerk.

Congressional districts: 3rd and 12th districts

Official resources: Mercer County Clerk and Mercer County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 609-989-6494 or the board of elections at 609-989-6522.

Middlesex County

Middlesex County residents, including voters in New Brunswick, Edison, Perth Amboy and Woodbridge, can find election information through the county clerk’s Election Services office.

Congressional districts: 6th and 12th districts

Official resources: Middlesex County Election Services and Middlesex County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 732-745-4202 or the board of elections at 732-745-3471.

Monmouth County

Monmouth County voters can access candidate lists, sample ballots, polling locations and voting instructions through the county’s official election website.

Congressional districts: 3rd, 4th and 6th districts

Official resources: Monmouth County Votes.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 732-431-7790 or the board of elections at 732-431-7802, ext. 7150.

Morris County

Morris County voters, including residents of Morristown, Dover and Parsippany, can review local candidate lists, sample ballots and voting procedures through the county clerk and elections offices.

Congressional districts: 7th and 11th districts

Official resources: Morris County Clerk and Morris County Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 973-285-6066 or the board of elections at 973-285-6715.

Ocean County

Ocean County residents can find local election information, candidate lists, sample ballots and vote-by-mail instructions through the county clerk.

Congressional districts: 2nd and 4th districts.

Official resources: Ocean County Clerk and Ocean County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 732-929-2018 or the board of elections at 732-929-2167.

Passaic County

Passaic County voters, including residents of Paterson, Clifton, Passaic and Wayne, will decide congressional and county races, along with applicable municipal and school board elections.

The county includes portions of NJ’s 5th, 9th and 11th congressional districts.

In the 5th Congressional District, candidates include Democratic incumbent Josh Gottheimer, Republican Sean Kirrane and Adam Rueda of Humane Sustainable Future.

The 9th Congressional District race includes Democratic incumbent Nellida Pou, Republican Rosie Pino and Terrisa Bukovinac of Save Our Babies.

In the 11th Congressional District, candidates include Democrat Analilia Mejia, Republican Joe Hathaway and Alan B. Bond of Hope for Tomorrow.

Residents should review their sample ballots to determine which congressional candidates and local contests appear in their municipality.

The Passaic County Clerk’s Elections Division provides information about candidates, sample ballots, mail-in ballots and early voting locations.

Official resources: Passaic County Clerk’s Elections Division and Passaic County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 973-881-4127 or the board of elections at 973-881-4527.

Salem County

Salem County voters can find election information, sample ballots and mail-in voting instructions through the county clerk and elections offices.

Congressional district: 2nd District

Official resources: Salem County Clerk and Salem County Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 856-935-7510, ext. 8605, or the board of elections at 856-935-7510, ext. 8329 or 8330.

Somerset County

Somerset County voters, including residents of Franklin Township, Bridgewater and Somerville, can access local candidate information, sample ballots and voting procedures through the county’s election offices.

Congressional districts: 7th and 12th districts

Official resources: Somerset County Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 908-231-7013 or the board of elections at 908-231-7084.

Sussex County

Sussex County residents can find candidate lists, sample ballots and voting procedures through the county clerk and board of elections.

Congressional districts: 5th and 7th districts

Official resources: Sussex County Clerk and Sussex County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 973-579-0900 or the board of elections at 973-579-0950.

Union County

Union County voters, including residents of Elizabeth, Linden, Plainfield, Rahway and Union Township, will decide congressional and county races, along with applicable municipal and school board elections.

The county includes portions of NJ’s 7th, 8th, 10th and 12th congressional districts.

In the 7th Congressional District, candidates include Republican incumbent Thomas Kean Jr., Democrat Rebecca Bennett and Seamus Patrick O’Toole of Stop Israel’s Genocide.

The 8th Congressional District includes Democrat Rob Menendez, independent Aristotle Eliopoulos, Craig Honts of the Socialist Workers Party and Da’Shone Hughey of We the People.

In the 10th Congressional District, Democratic incumbent LaMonica McIver faces Republican Carmen Bucco.

The 12th Congressional District includes Democrat Adam Hamawy, Republican Gregg Mele, Green Party candidate Andres Jinete and Winston Jordan of Get Money Out.

Union County voters will also see applicable county and municipal races. Residents should consult their official sample ballots to confirm which candidates and questions appear in their voting district.

The Union County Clerk’s Office provides sample ballots, candidate information and vote-by-mail resources. Residents can also contact the county board of elections for questions about registration and voting procedures.

Official resources: Union County Clerk and Union County Board of Elections.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 908-527-4996 or the board of elections at 908-527-4123.

Warren County

Warren County voters can find information about candidates, sample ballots, registration and voting procedures through the county’s official election website.

Congressional district: 7th District

Official resources: Warren County Votes.

Voter assistance: Residents can call the county clerk at 908-475-6211 or the board of elections at 908-475-6313.

What Should Voters Know Before Heading to the Polls?

Most registered NJ voters are not required to show identification when voting. However, certain first-time voters may be asked to provide identification if they did not satisfy identification requirements during registration.

Residents whose names do not appear in the poll book or who encounter certain registration issues may be eligible to cast a provisional ballot. Election officials can explain the process and determine which procedures apply.

Voters with disabilities can request accessible voting accommodations. Residents who need assistance should contact their county election officials before Election Day.

Additional information about voting rights and accommodations is available through the state’s Voter Rights webpage.

Where Can NJ Voters Get Help?

Residents with questions about registration, mail-in ballots, polling locations or other election procedures can contact their county election officials.

The NJ Division of Elections provides statewide information about voting procedures and deadlines.

Residents can also call the state’s voter assistance hotline at 1-877-NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837).

Before Election Day, voters should confirm their registration status, review their sample ballots and check their polling locations to make sure they have the information needed to cast their ballots.