Here’s what New Jersey voters need to know for the June primary when Congress is on the ballot

New Jersey voters will be able to pick their party’s nominees for federal offices during state’s June 2 primary election.

But you don’t have to wait if you’re ready to cast your ballot sooner. Early voting begins this week, and other key dates for the election are coming up.

Here’s what you need to know about the New Jersey primary and how to make sure your vote is counted.

One U.S. Senate seat, all 12 congressional districts, and some county and municipal positions are up for election.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker is running unopposed in the primary, while several Republicans — Robert S. Lebovics, Justin Murphy, Richard Tabor, and Alex Zdan — are seeking to challenge him in November.

Lebovics, a physician, had significantly outraised the other three as of May, pulling in nearly $150,000, more than three times any other Republican candidate.

However, that’s a tiny fraction compared to the more than $32 million Booker has raised this election cycle for what is expected to be an easy reelection campaign.

Here’s who running for South Jersey’s congressional seats:

Democratic U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, a six-term incumbent and brother of South Jersey power broker George Norcross, will face a challenge from Republican Damon Galdo in November in the 1st Congressional District, which covers Camden County and parts of neighboring Gloucester and Burlington counties.

Neither has a primary opponent in June.

Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew has four Democrats lining up against him: Tim Alexander, Zack Mullock, Terri Reese, and Bayly Winder. The primary winner will face Van Drew in the fall in the 2nd Congressional District, which stretches from Gloucester County to the Jersey Shore.

Van Drew was first elected as a Democrat in 2018, but he switched parties in 2020 and has campaigned with President Donald Trump in Wildwood.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Herbert Conaway is being challenged by three Republicans — Justin Barbera, Jason Cullen, and Michael McGuire. Conaway was first elected in 2024 to the 3rd Congressional District, succeeding U.S. Sen. Andy Kim in the seat that includes most of Burlington County.

Early voting begins Tuesday and extends through May 31. Polling locations will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

You can find your polling location here.

On Election Day, in-person early voting sites will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In New Jersey, all registered voters are eligible to apply to vote absentee. The last day to request a mail ballot via the U.S. Postal Service is Tuesday, seven days before the election. Those requesting a mail ballot in-person have until 3 p.m. June 1 to request a mail-in ballot application.

You must be a U.S. citizen, be a resident of New Jersey for at least 30 days before the election, and be at least 18 by June 2.

New Jersey’s primary system is closed, meaning only affiliated Democrats and Republicans can vote on party nominees. Voters who are not registered with the Democratic or Republican parties are considered unaffiliated.

In order to vote in the primary election, those independent voters must affiliate as a Democrat or Republican. You can do so on the day of the primary at the polls or during early voting.

After the election, if you no longer wish to be considered a member of that selected political party, you must file a new declaration with the municipal clerk or Commissioner of Registration through an updated voter registration form.

You can vote early or on Election Day, by mail or in person. New Jersey does not offer same-day voter registration, so make sure you are registered before heading out.

First-time voters who registered by mail may be asked to show an approved form of identification at the polls. This could be a New Jersey driver’s license, military identification, or a U.S. passport. All other voters should bring their ID as well.

Voters can return their ballot by mail from home, deliver it to their county Board of Elections, or submit it in a secure ballot drop box. The deadline to send in a ballot is 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Voters can track their ballot on the state’s website to ensure it has been received, accepted, and counted.

If you encounter any trouble with voting, you can call the Division of Elections at 1-877-NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837).

Follow along with The Philadelphia Inquirer to find out results on election night. New Jersey does not have runoff elections; the candidate who receives a plurality of the vote wins.