New Jersey's 10th District Holds Special Election to Fill Congressional Seat

On September 18, 2023, voters in New Jersey's 10th Congressional District will participate in a special election to choose a successor to the late Donald Payne Jr., who passed away on April 24, 2023, after serving more than 11 years in office. This election marks a significant moment for the district, which has been represented by a Democrat since 1949.

The main contenders in this race are Democrat LaMonica McIver, president of the Newark City Council, and Republican Carmen Bucco, a small business owner. Two minor-party candidates are also on the ballot. McIver emerged victorious from a competitive 11-candidate primary on July 16, while Bucco ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

The 10th District, created in 1913, encompasses parts of Essex, Hudson, and Union counties, with Newark - New Jersey's most populous city - serving as its core. This urban composition has historically favored Democratic candidates, with both President Biden and Hillary Clinton securing over 80% of the vote in recent presidential elections.

The winner of this special election will complete the remaining 15 weeks of Payne's unexpired term. However, the political landscape extends beyond this short-term appointment. McIver has already been named to replace Payne on the November 5, 2024, general election ballot, following his posthumous nomination for a seventh term in the June 4 state primary.

New Jersey's election laws, last significantly updated in 2011, dictate the unique timing of this special election. Governor Phil Murphy issued the election order on May 3, 2023, setting in motion a specific timeline that resulted in a Wednesday election - a departure from the typical Tuesday voting day.

"If the governor orders a special election, the special primary must be held within 70 to 76 days of the date the governor issued the order. The special general election must be held between 64 and 70 days of the special primary."

This special election occurs against a backdrop of recent changes in New Jersey's congressional representation. Bob Menendez resigned from his Senate seat on August 20, 2023, following a federal bribery conviction, while Bill Pascrell, representing the 9th District, passed away on August 21, 2023.

New Jersey's voting system has evolved in recent years to increase accessibility. The state adopted no-excuse mail-in voting in 2005, implemented early in-person voting in 2021, and has been automatically registering eligible citizens to vote when they obtain a driver's license. Additionally, same-day voter registration is available during early voting periods, and automatic voter registration has been implemented at various state agencies since 2018.

As of August 1, 2023, the 10th District had approximately 504,000 registered voters, with Democrats comprising 54%, Republicans 9%, and independents 36%. Turnout in special elections typically tends to be lower than in general elections, with the July 16 special Democratic primary seeing only about 6% voter participation.

The outcome of this election will not only determine the district's immediate representation but also set the stage for the upcoming general election in November 2024. As voters head to the polls, they will be participating in a process that reflects both the district's long-standing political leanings and the evolving nature of New Jersey's electoral system.