By Julia Train
On Nov. 3, voters across New Jersey will head to the polls for the 2026 general election, with federal, county and municipal offices on the ballot.
New Jersey voters will decide a U.S. Senate race, while voters across the state will also choose representatives to the U.S. House. In Atlantic and Cape May counties, the ballot also includes races for county offices and municipal government.
U.S. Senate
One U.S. Senate seat is up for election in New Jersey this year. Democratic incumbent Cory Booker is seeking another term.
Booker faces Republican Justin Murphy, Veronica Fernandez of the End the Corruption! (Independent) Party and Socialist Workers Party candidate Joanne Kuniansky.
The U.S. Senate is the upper chamber of Congress, with each state represented by two senators. Senators serve six-year terms and vote on federal legislation, presidential appointments and treaties.
U.S. House of Representatives
Atlantic and Cape May county voters will also cast ballots for members of the U.S. House.
Atlantic County is split into three Congressional Districts. Most of Atlantic County is part of the 2nd Congressional District, while portions of the county and all of Cape May County are represented by the 1st Congressional District.
Some parts of Atlantic County are also in the 4th and 8th districts.
The 1st Congressional District includes Cape May County as well as Atlantic County communities including Corbin City, Estell Manor and Weymouth Township. The 2nd Congressional District includes Atlantic City, Absecon, Brigantine, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway, Hamilton Township, Linwood, Longport, Margate, Northfield, Pleasantville, Port Republic, Somers Point and Ventnor, among other communities.
The 1st District race features Republican Damon M. Galdo and Democratic incumbent Donald W. Norcross.
In the 2nd District, Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew faces Democrat Zachary “Zack” Mullock and independent Ramon Mora Jr.
Atlantic County
In Atlantic County, voters will choose a county clerk, sheriff, two commissioners-at-large and a representative for Commissioner District 3.
Republican Joseph J. Giralo and Democrat Elizabeth “Lisa” Bender are running for county clerk.
The sheriff’s race features Republican Joe “Tokyo” O’Donoghue and Democrat Sean Riggin.
Four candidates are competing for two commissioner-at-large seats: Republicans John W. Risley Jr. and June Byrnes, and Democrats Jonathan Marcellus and Kyle Gornick.
In the District 3 commissioner race, Republican Andrew Parker faces Democrat Richard Healey.
Several Atlantic County municipalities also have contested races.
Absecon has City Council elections in wards 1 and 2. Brigantine voters will choose a mayor, though Republican Vincent Sera has no Democratic opponent. Meanwhile, two Republicans — Cornelius Kane and Michael Riordan — are running for two council-at-large seats.
Egg Harbor City has three Common Council seats on the ballot, with eight candidates: Republicans Joseph M. Farnan, Donna M. Heist and Joseph Ricci Jr.; Democrats Steven Ortiz, Nate Ross and Karl Timbers; and independents Karen Adams and Mason Wright Jr.
In Egg Harbor Township, Republicans Paul W. Hodson and Laura Pfrommer face Democrats Junita Hyman and Tamika Gilbert-Floyd for two Township Committee seats. Republican Patrick Ireland and Democrat Anthony Calandrillo are running for a separate one-year unexpired committee term.
Other Atlantic County communities with municipal races include Buena Borough, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Estell Manor, Folsom, Hamilton Township, Hammonton, Linwood, Mullica Township, Northfield, Pleasantville, Port Republic, Somers Point and Weymouth Township.
Cape May County
In Cape May County, voters will select a sheriff and two county commissioners.
Republican Robert A. Nolan is running unopposed for sheriff, with no Democratic nominee listed on the ballot.
The county commissioner race includes Republicans Patrick Rosenello and Curtis Bashaw, and Democrats David Temple and Eric J. Morey, with voters selecting two candidates.
Cape May County also has several municipal contests.
Cape May City’s nonpartisan Council race has three candidates — Lorraine Baldwin, Maureen K. McDade and Shaine P. Meier — for three seats.
Dennis Township voters will select two Township Committee members from Republicans Thomas Van Artsdalen and Scott Turner and Democrats John Carson and Renee Pettit.
Lower Township has contested races in all three council wards. Thomas Conrad is the only candidate listed for Ward 1. Ward 2 features Republican Joseph Wareham, Democrat Elizabeth Blair-Slemmer and independent Caroline Rankovic, while Ward 3 has Republican Roland A. Roy Jr. and Democrat Michelle Simmons.
Middle Township, North Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Upper Township and Woodbine also have municipal races on the ballot.
The election also includes a number of races in which one or more parties did not nominate a candidate.
Voters can check their registration status, polling location and other election information through the New Jersey Division of Elections and their respective county election offices.
