Who Will Win New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District in 2026

New Jersey holds its general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with voter registration closed as of October 13 and mail-in ballot requests due by October 27. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide. Top races include the U.S. Senate contest, where Democratic incumbent Cory Booker faces Republican Justin Murphy and several third-party and write-in candidates. All 12 of New Jersey's House seats are also on the ballot, with the 2nd Congressional District drawing particular attention as Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew, who switched parties in 2019, defends his seat against Democratic challenger Zack Mullock, mayor of Cape May, and independent Ramon Mora Jr.

Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida introduced legislation to bar the federal government from purchasing, operating, or accessing Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras without a judicial warrant. The bill, called the Facilitating Liberty and Accountability for Flock Observations (FLAFO) Act, would also tie Department of Justice grants for local law enforcement to adoption of similar privacy safeguards. Steube said the Fourth Amendment requires warrants before Americans can be tracked while driving, and criticized Flock Safety's network as too expansive and prone to abuse.

ALPR systems, originally designed for limited vehicle identification, have expanded into broader AI-powered surveillance, drawing scrutiny over misuse, including the wrongful jailing of a Florida woman falsely linked to a crash by Flock data. In New Jersey, Edison approved dozens of new cameras and its first thermal-equipped drone despite privacy objections and ACLU criticism of the state's long data retention. In Texas, the fight has split communities: cities including College Station, Carrollton, Kyle, Conroe, and Laredo have voted to keep or renew Flock contracts even after Gov. Greg Abbott froze state funding amid an investigation into grant spending, while roughly two dozen other Texas cities and counties have moved to end their agreements, and Houston and Dallas are scaling back grant-funded cameras while keeping city-funded ones running.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill both declared states of emergency Friday ahead of a powerful nor'easter expected to bring coastal flooding, strong winds and possible power outages over the weekend. Hochul's declaration covers Nassau, Suffolk, New York City and Westchester, while Sherrill's applies to eight New Jersey counties including Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean.

Officials in Manasquan, New Jersey, recommended voluntary evacuations for residents in low-lying areas, particularly elderly and special-needs individuals. Wind gusts topped 30 mph along the coast from New York to North Carolina, with Long Island seeing gusts up to 52 mph. The National Weather Service warned of moderate to locally major flooding, especially in New York City. Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to prepare as the storm's path shifted closer to the city, bringing heavier rain and stronger winds, and asked New Yorkers to check on their neighbors.

A nor'easter bringing high winds and rough seas is prompting flood preparations along the Jersey Shore, particularly in low-lying bayside communities like Seaside Heights. Residents living along Barnegat Bay have begun moving outdoor furniture, vehicles, and equipment ahead of expected bay flooding, with some areas already seeing water intrusion. Local officials say they are monitoring the storm closely and are prepared to order evacuations in vulnerable areas if conditions worsen.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency across eight counties, including Ocean, Middlesex, and Monmouth, as the storm approaches. Officials point to lessons learned from Superstorm Sandy in 2012 as shaping the region's current storm readiness, with emergency management teams and first responders on standby. The situation underscores recurring flood risks facing shore communities during seasonal coastal storms.

The Republican National Committee has filed a federal lawsuit against New Jersey election officials, including Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell and the secretary of state, seeking data on noncitizens registered to vote. State officials have acknowledged roughly 6,600 noncitizen registrations, though the Trump administration estimates the true figure could be 35,000 or higher. Rep. Tom Kean has filed a separate suit as a New Jersey constituent.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has refused to turn over voter data to federal officials, citing privacy concerns for state residents. A spokesman for Sherrill said Republicans have made similar requests in other states more than twenty times without success in court. The RNC had asked New Jersey to explain by September how noncitizens were added to voter rolls, what removal efforts are underway, and who is responsible for oversight. The dispute comes as both parties intensify efforts around voter roll accuracy and election administration ahead of the 2026 midterms.

A New Jersey Superior Court judge cleared the way Tuesday for the Ocean County Board of Elections to continue inquiries into the voting eligibility of dozens of Bay Head residents, denying an emergency injunction sought by the ACLU of New Jersey on behalf of the League of Women Voters. The plaintiffs argued the challenge process, aimed at registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters whose tax bills are mailed out of town, amounted to a politically motivated purge during the pre-election quiet period. The board countered that it is simply fulfilling its duty to verify domicile status.

A tense public meeting followed the ruling, with the evenly split board's Republican chairman George Gilmore and Democratic secretary Wyatt Earp clashing over a list of 39 flagged voters submitted by a local GOP official that included no Republicans. Several voters have already been removed or asked to be removed from the rolls. Gilmore drew sharp backlash, including for a joking remark about immigration enforcement being "on call" at the polls. The ACLU and League of Women Voters are weighing an appeal.

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned last week after an independent investigation, led by former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino, substantiated multiple allegations of harassment and ethics violations. Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the probe found "a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this administration." Findings included inappropriate remarks toward young women, pushing for the promotion of a romantic partner in another state department without disclosure, and bringing nonpaying personal guests to official ticketed events. Caldwell, who also served as the state's chief elections official, continues to deny the allegations but stepped down nonetheless.

Caldwell was Sherrill's own running mate, chosen less than a year ago, making her swift response notable in a state with a long history of tolerated official misconduct. Sherrill said she would name a new lieutenant governor within 45 days, a decision with added significance given the upcoming midterm election and election-security concerns.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by Friday after an independent investigation found he engaged in sexual harassment and violated state ethics rules. The 61-page report, led by former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino, concluded that Caldwell twice sought a state job promotion for his girlfriend, made a sexually charged comment to a staff member, and ignored repeated warnings about his conduct.

The probe began in May after Sherrill's office received an anonymous letter alleging inappropriate behavior by Caldwell, a former president of Centenary University. Caldwell has denied the allegations through his attorney, Thomas Calcagni, who called the investigation one-sided and lacking due process; Caldwell has suggested race and gender bias played a role, as he is Black. Sen. Cory Booker and other Democrats have backed Sherrill's call for resignation. Caldwell has given no indication he intends to step down, raising the possibility of a prolonged standoff with the governor over New Jersey's second-highest office.

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned Friday, a day after Gov. Mikie Sherrill released a 61-page report from a four-month investigation, led by former Attorney General Christopher Porrino's law firm, substantiating findings of sexual harassment and repeated ethics violations. Investigators found credible evidence that Caldwell made an unwanted romantic advance toward a staffer's friend, sought a promotion for a state employee he was secretly dating, and brought unpaid guests to ticketed events despite prior warnings. Sherrill said the episode reflected a longstanding Trenton culture of overlooking sexual harassment that her administration would no longer tolerate.

Caldwell, who is Black, suggested race played a role in the allegations and disputes the report's findings, saying he resigned to avoid distracting from Sherrill's administration; days later he preached at his church about false accusations. Acting Comptroller Shirley Emehelu now oversees the Division of Elections ahead of the midterms, while Senate President Nicholas Scutari serves as acting governor when needed. Sherrill has 45 days to name a permanent replacement, with reports suggesting she may favor another Black leader, possibly a woman, for the role.

An investigation commissioned by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill found that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment and violated state ethics rules. The 61-page report, released Thursday, concluded Caldwell told a female staffer that "you young women are looking for young sperm" after she said a younger friend was not interested in him — a remark investigators deemed harassment and found his denial not credible. The staffer said she later tried to distance herself from him at work. The report also substantiated ethics violations: Caldwell twice sought a promotion for his girlfriend without disclosing the relationship, continuing even after being notified of the investigation, and brought nonpaying guests to seven official events despite repeated warnings and training.

The inquiry began in May after an anonymous complaint to the state's ethics officer. Attorney Christopher Porrino and former prosecutor Shontae Gray led the investigation, interviewing at least 17 people. Caldwell has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations false and politically motivated. Sherrill gave him until Friday to resign, calling the findings "extremely troubling" and citing a pattern of behavior. Caldwell oversees the Department of State and elections, including the upcoming November midterms.