After Rep. Payne Jr.’s death in the 10th District, special elections and party conventions will select his replacement

Eleven candidates are running in a July 16 special Democratic primary election to fill New Jersey’s 10th District congressional seat previously held by Rep. Donald Payne, who died in April while serving his sixth term and running for reelection.

The candidate who wins the July special primary will appear on a special general election ballot in September to determine who will complete Payne’s term through Jan. 3, 2025. 

But replacing Payne on the November general election ballot is out of voters’ hands. Essex, Hudson, and Union county Democratic committees will meet in August to select Payne’s replacement for the general election.

The Jersey Bee partnered with NJ Spotlight News to share what happens when a sitting Congressperson and candidate for office dies and what 10th District voters need to know about the 2024 special election.

READ: Local issues lead federal debate in 10th District special election to complete Payne’s term

What are special primary and general elections?

Special elections fill a vacancy in the House. The primary election determines each party’s candidates, and the winner of the special general election completes the remainder of the unfinished term.

When a congressional vacancy occurs in New Jersey, a special primary election must occur between 70 and 76 days after the writ of election is issued. The special general election must follow no later than 70 days after the special primary.

Special elections follow the same processes as regular elections. Voters select the party nominee of their choice in the primary. New Jersey has a closed primary, meaning voters can only choose from among candidates of their declared party. Unaffiliated voters can vote in either primary by declaring for that party at the polls. All voters then elect their preferred candidate in the general election.

Congressional candidates who run in special or regular elections can receive party endorsements and must file campaign contribution reports following a Federal Election Commission schedule.

The 2024 special primary election for the 10th District is scheduled for July. 16. Voters will choose from among 11 Democrat candidates as their party nominee for the special general election, planned on Sep. 18.

There will also be a Republican primary, but only one candidate filed: Carmen Bucco. Barring a write-in campaign by another candidate, Bucco will be the GOP candidate in the special September general election.

Candidate names will appear on the Democratic special primary ballot in an order determined by a random drawing by each county clerk.

READ: We interviewed Democratic primary candidates running in the 2024 special election to represent NJ-10

What is the timeline for the 2024 special elections?

Candidates filed nominating petitions on May 10, one week after Gov. Phil Murphy announced special election dates. Nominating petitions contain signatures from registered voters who endorse their candidacy. The candidates needed to submit at least 200 signatures from registered voters to qualify.

Mail-in balloting for the special primary election has already begun. Early in-person voting begins July 12 and continues through July 14 at each county’s designated early voting poll locations. 

Polls will be open on July 16, the special primary election day, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at voters’ polling locations.

For the special general election, the early in-person voting period is Sept. 8-16, with all polls open on Sept. 18 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

What are the responsibilities of the winner of the special election?

The candidate who wins September’s special election will carry out the regular responsibilities of a member of the House of Representatives, representing the interests of the residents of the 10th District. New Jersey has 12 congressional districts, each represented by a member in the House. 

House of Representative members have the power to:

• Vote on bills.
• Propose legislation.
• Impeach federal officials.
• Elect the U.S. president in the event of a tie. 
• Sit on legislative committees.

They also can advocate for policies and federal funding to address issues affecting residents within their district.

What will happen in the regular general election in November?

Rep. Donald Payne Jr.’s name was on the regular Democratic primary election ballot in June, a race he posthumously won unopposed.

Members of the Essex, Union, and Hudson County Democratic committees will hold a special meeting this summer to nominate a candidate to replace Payne on the regular election ballot in November.

The winner of November’s election will begin their two-year term as 10th congressional district leader on Jan. 3.

What towns or cities are in NJ-10?

The 10th congressional district leader is responsible for serving and representing:

Essex County

• Caldwell
• East Orange
• Essex Fells
• Irvington
• Montclair (part)
• Newark (part)
• Orange
• Verona
• West Orange

Union County

• Cranford
• Garwood
• Hillside
• Kenilworth
• Linden (part)
• Roselle
• Roselle Park
• Union Township

Hudson County

• Jersey City (part)