NEWARK, New Jersey — Voters in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District headed to the polls on Thursday for a special general election to fill the U.S. House seat left vacant by Mikie Sherrill, who resigned after her election as governor in November 2025, state election officials said.
The special election, called by outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy, follows a February primary. Early voting took place from April 6 to April 14, and mail-in ballots are due by the close of polls on Thursday. Polling locations are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, according to the New Jersey Division of Elections.
The contest features Democrat Analilia Mejia, a progressive community organizer who won the Democratic nomination, against Republican Joe Hathaway. A third candidate, Alan Bond, is also on the ballot. The district, which includes parts of Essex, Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties, has leaned Democratic in recent cycles.
Sherrill, a Democrat, held the seat since 2019 before vacating it to become governor. The winner will serve the remainder of her term through January 2027 and face voters again in the regular 2026 midterm election.
Campaigns focused on issues including the economy, healthcare and national politics under the Trump administration. Mejia has emphasized progressive priorities, while Hathaway has highlighted conservative positions on spending and security.
New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way urged eligible voters to participate. “Every vote counts in this special election,” she said in a statement ahead of Election Day.
The race has drawn attention because of the narrow Republican majority in the U.S. House, making the outcome potentially significant for legislative control, though results will not be known until after polls close.
State officials reported no major issues with voter registration or ballot access as of Wednesday. Voter turnout details were not immediately available on Thursday morning.
As of midday Thursday, voting was proceeding at polling sites across the district. Results are expected to be reported after polls close, with official certification to follow in the coming weeks.
