Special Primary Election: It’s A Thursday Thing

As Mikie Sherrill prepares to serve as governor of New Jersey, she leaves a vacancy in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. The Special Election date to fill the vacancy is set for April 16, 2026 – and the Special Primary Election is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Check If You're Registered Here.

Here are some key dates to stay on top of as we head into the Special Primary:

FRIDAY, DEC 12: Deadline for affiliated voters to change their party affiliation. New Jersey has closed primaries, so only Republicans and Democrats can vote for their respective candidates. All registered voters hoping to declare or change their party affiliation in time to vote in the Special Primaries can do so by downloading this voter registration form (https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/forms-voter-registration/68-voter-registration-english-essex.pdf), check that they are changing their political party affiliation, and send it by mail to the County before Dec.12. (Special Note: Those registered as Unaffiliated may vote in the Special Primary by declaring themselves a Democrat or Republican at their polling location on the day of the election – thus registering them with said party.)

MONDAY, DEC. 22: Essex County begins sending out Mail-In Ballots for the Special Primary Election.

THURSDAY, JAN 15: Voter registration deadline for the Special Primary Election. Register Online Here; or print this form (English Registration Form; Spanish Registration Form) and mail it back (the form contains pre-paid postage & address), or drop it off in person at our Clerk's Office at Town Hall (574 Valley Street).

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21: Essex County begins mailing sample ballots for the Special Primary Election.

THURSDAY, JAN 29 - TUESDAY, FEB 3: Early voting period for Special Primary Election. (Early voting locations: https://www.essexclerk.com)

THURSDAY, FEB 5: Special Primary Election.

MONDAY, APRIL 6 - TUESDAY, APRIL 14: Early voting period for Special Election. (Early voting locations: https://www.essexclerk.com)