New Jersey votes on November 3, 2026, and while the state legislature isn't on the ballot this cycle, that was 2025, the 2026 ballot is still full: a U.S. Senate seat, all 12 U.S. House seats, and county and municipal offices in all 21 counties. This is the New Jersey hub for our nonpartisan Campaign Watch 2026 coverage, with county-by-county guides linked below. Here's what's on the ballot and why turnout decides so many of these races.
What's on New Jersey's 2026 ballot?
Three layers, from federal to local:
- U.S. Senate. Democratic incumbent Cory Booker is seeking a third full term against Republican Justin Murphy, a former Tabernacle deputy mayor, with independent Michael Misseri also on the general-election ballot, per Ballotpedia. Every New Jersey voter shares this race. Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate election in New Jersey since 1972.
- U.S. House, all 12 seats. Each district elects its representative; the delegation is currently 9 Democrats and 3 Republicans. Every voter is in one of the 12 House districts.
- County and municipal offices. County commissioner seats and various county offices are up across the 21 counties, along with municipal council seats and school-board races, the down-ballot contests that shape local government.
Key dates for New Jersey voters
The primary was June 2, 2026; the general is November 3. New Jersey offers in-person early voting statewide, October 24 through November 1, and vote-by-mail, with the voter-registration deadline in mid-October. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can confirm their district, registration, and options at the state's official portal, Vote.NJ.Gov.
Why turnout decides New Jersey's local races
Because 2026 is a midterm, and without a presidential or gubernatorial race at the top, turnout falls and the electorate skews toward the most motivated voters. That matters most down the ballot: county commissioner and municipal races are decided by small, low-attention electorates where a modest turnout edge, and getting voters to complete the whole ballot rather than stopping at the Senate race, can be the margin. With early and mail voting widely used, the ballot chase runs for weeks, not one day.
County-by-county guides
Our county guides break down what's on the 2026 ballot in each of New Jersey's 21 counties, the offices, the local dynamics, and the turnout picture. This hub links to each as it's published, starting with the state's most populous counties and continuing methodically through all 21.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 New Jersey election?
The general election is November 3, 2026. The primary was June 2, 2026. Early voting runs October 24 to November 1, and vote-by-mail is available, with a mid-October registration deadline.
What's on the New Jersey 2026 ballot?
A U.S. Senate seat (Booker vs Murphy, plus independent Misseri), all 12 U.S. House seats, and county commissioner, municipal, and school-board offices across the 21 counties. The state legislature is not up in 2026, that was 2025.
Why does turnout matter so much in New Jersey's local races?
Because in a midterm without a top-of-ticket state race, turnout falls and skews toward motivated voters. County and municipal races are decided by small electorates, so a modest turnout edge, and getting voters to complete the whole ballot, can be the margin.
This reflects the cycle as of the date above; details evolve. Facts drawn from nonpartisan sources including Ballotpedia and Vote.NJ.Gov.
Keep reading: the 2026 midterms are a turnout election and down-ballot 2026.