NJ-11 special election guide: Key dates, candidates, voter info, background

NEW JERSEY - The special election to fill Gov. Mikie Sherrill's former seat in Congress is fast approaching – here's everything prospective voters should know.

Everything to know

What we know:

Close attention is being paid to this race after the Democratic primary election resulted in a major upset.

MORE: KEY DATES | CANDIDATES | REGISTRATION DEADLINE | POLLING LOCATIONS | DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY UPSET

Important dates

Election date

The general special election will be held on April 16. Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters who opt to vote via mail must postmark their ballot either on or before 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Early voting

For voters that would prefer to vote before Election Day, early voting starts on April 6 and ends on April 14.

Candidates

There are currently three candidates: the Democratic nominee, the Republican nominee and one Independent.

Analilia Mejia

The daughter of Colombian and Dominican immigrants, Analilia Mejia is a New Jersey native who began as a union organizer. She also served as the national political director for Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign.

Mejia touts endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and several other politicians.

Issues listed on her campaign website include canceling student loan debt and guaranteeing national paid sick days. The candidate has also called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Joe Hathaway

Former Mayor of Randolph Joe Hathaway is the Republican nominee.

Hathaway is a self-described "lifelong New Jersey resident" who served on Randolph's Township Council before becoming the mayor.

If elected to Congress, Hathaway's foremost promise on his campaign website is to eliminate taxes for first-time home buyers. He also mentions lowering healthcare costs and investing in transportation.

The New York Post published their endorsement of the former mayor last month.

Alan Bond

The independent candidate, Alan Bond is a Montclair resident who worked on Wall Street.

Bond served six years in prison for bilking investors. He is running as the "Hope for Tomorrow!" party's candidate.

Voting registration

Only voters who reside in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District are permitted to vote in this special election.

This district includes parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties. 

The voter registration deadline was on March 26. The state's website has another tool that residents can use to confirm whether they are registered.

How to find a polling place

New Jersey's official statewide site has a tool that voters can use to locate the polling site closest to them.

Democratic primary upset

Mejia was not the candidate favored to win the Democratic primary election earlier this year.

Instead, former Rep. Tom Malinowksi was the candidate projected by most outlets to advance to the special election.

During the night of the primary, the Democratic National Convention even prematurely sent out emails congratulating Malinowski on his victory.

Several news outlets, including The New Jersey Globe, projected that the candidate would win the primary.

The race was determined as too close to be called by the end of the night.