6% of voters have already cast ballots in advance of NJ-11 special election for Congress

The second day of early voting in the special election for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th district attracted 2,600 voters in the race between Democrat Analilia Mejia and Republican Joe Hathaway, according to a VoteHub analysis.

So far, 36,355 voters have cast vote-by-mail ballots and in-person early votes for the April 16 special election to fill the unexpired term of Mikie Sherrill – that’s a turnout of 6%.  Sherrill resigned in November following her election as governor.

Democrats represent 50% of  the first two days of in-person early votes, with 38% coming from Republicans and 12% from unaffiliateds and members of minor political parties.

Mejia, a former labor leader and Biden administration official, served as national political director for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign.  She defeated former Rep. Tom Malinowski by 1,186 votes, 29.3% to 27.6%, in an 11-candidate field.

Hathaway, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary, is a Randolph councilman and former mayor.  He spent nearly eight years as a staffer in the governor’s office.

Democrats have a significant voter registration edge in the 11th district: 62,900 more Democrats than Republicans, 37.6% to 27.3%, with 34.3% of voters unaffiliated with any political party.

Watch the New Jersey Globe 11th District Debate between Mejia and Hathaway: Click HERE.