It's only possible because of a new law signed under former Gov. Phil Murphy.
Published: Jan. 31, 2026, 12:08 p.m.The race for Sherrill’s unexpired term representing North Jersey’s 11th District in the U.S. House of Representatives marks the first primary election in which some voters younger than 18 can cast a ballot.
N.J. has a new governor in Mikie Sherrill. Our newsletter is your must-read guide to this new chapter. Supporters of the law said it was a way to expand access to the ballot box and inspire a new generation of voters. But it’s unclear how many teens will actually show up and whether their voting bloc will be enough to influence the election’s outcome. According to Essex County Clerk Christopher Durkin, more than 700 17-year-olds who were qualified to vote in the special primary were mailed sample ballots and a postcard notifying them of their right to vote. If the past is any indication, it may take time to get younger teens used to voting. In April 2025, Newark held its, but the turnout was underwhelming. A total of 71 16- and 17-year-olds cast ballots in the historic election out of the 1,796 newly eligible teens registered, according to certified election results. Sherrill, who represented the 11th District over four terms, resigned from her seat after winning the race to become New Jersey’s next governor. She recently told Brent Johnson, author of the NJ Advance Media newsletterThe race is crowded, with 11 Democratic hopefuls and one Republican. The Democrats vying for party nomination are: Analilia Mejia, former executive director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance; Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett; Morris Township Deputy Mayor Jeff Grayzel; Former Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way; Anna Williams, a corporate social responsibility manager; former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski; Zach Beecher, a venture capitalist; Cammie Croft, former White House deputy new media director; Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill; comedian J-L Cauvin; and Chatham Borough Councilman Justin Strickland.Early voting in the primary is underway through Feb. 3. Voters who are 17 and qualify under the new law, as well as other registered voters who want to cast their ballot early, can do so in person at a county-designated Durkin, the county clerk in Essex, said there’s been a steady turnout at the early voting polling sites but no lines. “The turnout with six days to go matches the turnout up to this point at the regular June 2024 Primary Election where Mikie Sherrill last ran for a full term in Congress,” he said on Saturday. Those numbers include mail-in ballots and early in-person voting. The total turnout for the 2024 regular June primary was 52,500 votes. The traditional Primary Day for the special race to fill Sherrill’s vacant U.S. House seat is Feb. 5.Early voting in the special general election is from April 6-14. The general election will be held on April 16.Jackie Roman is a health care reporter for NJ.com and The Star-Ledger. In addition to covering breaking public health and drug industry news, she also writes feature stories and investigations. Prior to joining...
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