The seat in the House of Representatives for New Jersey’s 11th congressional district has been vacant since Governor Sherril resigned to take office following her gubernatorial win on November 20, 2025. A special election is being held today, Thursday, April 16, 2026, to elect a replacement. Any voter registered in the 11th District may cast their vote in the special election, with polling locations available on the official New Jersey State Website.
Early voting took place from April 6 until April 14, and residents also have the option to cast their vote by mail if they applied for a vote-by-mail ballot; ballots must be delivered to the county’s Board of Elections office by 8:00pm on election day or be postmarked on or before 8:00 to be counted.
Background on the Election and Candidates
On November 21, 2025, then-Governor Murphy issued a Writ of Election to prepare for the vacancy left by now-Governor Mikie Sherrill. Primary elections for the race were held on February 5, 2026, with the Democratic and Republican nominations going to Analilia Mejia and Joe Hathaway, respectively. Mejia is a former labor department official and current executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, and Hathaway is the former mayor of Randolph Township and currently serves on the Township Council.
The Importance of This Election
A victory by Mejia would narrow the majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives; on the other hand, Hathaway’s victory would further cement Republican influence in the chamber. A major point of contention in this race has been over issues of democracy and foreign policy, especially over the issue of U.S. funding for Israel and other foreign conflicts.
New Jersey has recently seen an increase in voter registration, with a growing presence of unaffiliated voters in particular. This election will not only influence the balance of Democrats and Republicans in the House, but it will also inform how residents of New Jersey vote in further elections down the line.
Resources for Voters
New Jersey Voter Information Portal
Monmouth County Voting Resources
Julien Smith is a student journalist from Northwest New Jersey. He has had a lifelong fascination with all things journalism, and mentors elementary and middle school aged kids with the program “Indy Kids” in NYC. He lives in between Hope and Blairstown, and usually can be found puttering around his garden or with his nose in a textbook.
- Julien Smith, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/julien-smith-contributing-writer/
- Julien Smith, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/julien-smith-contributing-writer/
- Julien Smith, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/julien-smith-contributing-writer/
- Julien Smith, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/julien-smith-contributing-writer/
