2026 Essex County Primary Results & Analysis

Quick Look: 2026 Primary Results in Essex County

• Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. emerged as the winner of the Democratic primary for Essex County Executive, garnering 54,061 votes. He ran unopposed on the Democratic ticket.

• Cory Booker remains the Democratic candidate, along with U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Analilia Mejia.

• Christine McGrath took the lead in the Democratic race for Commissioner At-Large, receiving 38,543 votes. This was a closely contested race with four seats up for grabs.

• Turnout for the Republican Party was significantly less than that of the Democratic Party, a trend that aligns with Essex County's predominantly blue voter registration.

• It's important to note that the results reported on election night are unofficial until they have been certified. Mail-in ballots that were postmarked by June 2 were accepted until June 8, and provisional ballots were counted afterward.

• A special CD-11 primary was also held concurrently with the regular primary. Read on for a comprehensive breakdown of each race and what these results could mean for the upcoming November election.

The ballots have been cast, and the 2026 primary in Essex County has clearly defined the candidates vying for office in the general election this November.

Essex County, New Jersey, is a politically significant county in the state. It is home to Newark, the largest city in New Jersey, as well as a variety of municipalities. These range from the wealthy suburbs of Millburn and Livingston to the densely populated urban communities of Irvington and East Orange. This diversity makes the primary results in Essex County important to watch. The Essex County Clerk's Office maintains an official results portal at essexclerk.com for those who want the raw certified data.

2026 Essex County Primary: A Democratic Sweep

As expected, Democrats dominated the 2026 Essex County primary. Essex County is a Democratic stronghold in New Jersey, and this year's primary was no exception. Democratic voter turnout was significantly higher than Republican turnout in all contested races, a trend that has been consistent in Essex County elections for more than a decade.

In a county like this, the Democratic primary is where the real action happens — whoever secures the Democratic nomination is essentially the winner of the race. Given that registered Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans in the county's 22 municipalities, the June 2 primary was a preview of what will mostly be confirmed in November's general election.

Cory Booker, Rob Menendez, LaMonica McIver & Analilia Meji all remain Democratic front-runners for the General Election in November

Essex County Democrats selected Cory Booker for U.S. Senate, Rob Menendez for Congress in the 8th District, LaMonica McIver for Congress in the 10th District, and Analilia Mejia for Congress in the 11th District. These victories position Democratic candidates to carry their message into the general election this fall.

Essex County has long played a major role in Democratic politics, and every vote cast in the primary helped shape the path forward. But the work is not finished.

Winning in November will require more than primary enthusiasm. It will take voter registration drives, community conversations, volunteer recruitment, vote-by-mail participation, early voting engagement, and strong Election Day turnout. Let's take a look at how well we did across the ballot.

Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. Takes County Executive Race With 54,061 Votes

Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. clinched the Democratic nomination for Essex County Executive with 54,061 votes. DiVincenzo, a well-established figure in Essex County politics, ran without a Democratic opponent, making the primary more of a turnout gauge than a competitive race. The vote count indicates robust base excitement heading into the general election.

Republican Maritza Mathews Secures 5,275 Votes in County Executive Election

On the Republican ticket, Maritza Mathews secured 5,275 votes to win the GOP nomination for County Executive. While this number is a small fraction of DiVincenzo's total, it's important to remember that Republican primary turnout in Essex County is typically low due to the county's voter registration. Mathews will face a tough fight in November, but her primary performance confirms her as the GOP's leading candidate for the county's highest executive position.

Essex County Board of Commissioners At-Large Results

The Commissioner At-Large race was the most contested on the Democratic side, with four seats available and multiple candidates vying for the nomination. Voters were asked to choose up to four candidates, which naturally results in lower vote totals than in single-candidate races. Here’s how the Democratic field broke down based on results reported by NJ.com as of June 2, 2026.

Christine McGrath Tops Democratic Primary with 38,543 Votes

Christine McGrath led the Democratic Commissioner At-Large primary with 38,543 votes. Her strong performance in a crowded field of candidates suggests she has widespread support and name recognition among the county's Democratic voters. For more detailed results, visit the NJ Primary Election Results 2026.

Abdur R. Yasin Secures Second Place with 32,657 Votes

Abdur R. Yasin secured second place in the Democratic at-large field with 32,657 votes. His significant vote count reflects his popularity in Newark and surrounding urban communities, which are known to have a significant impact in Essex County Democratic primaries.

Shawn Klein and Wayne Richardson Vie for the Remaining Two Spots

The competition for the third and fourth nomination slots was more intense. Deborah Engel garnered 31,211 votes, and Marques-Aquil Lewis received 19,444 votes, completing the four Democratic nominees who will proceed to the general election. The gap between the highest and lowest vote-getters in this race offers insight into the varying levels of countywide organization and local-level backing among the candidates.

Democratic Candidates Overwhelm Republican Counterparts

Republican Commissioner At-Large candidates garnered only a fraction of the votes their Democratic counterparts did, not surprising in a county where nearly every municipality is dominated by Democratic registration. This discrepancy isn't necessarily indicative of the candidates' quality, but rather reflects the political structure of Essex County.

It's worth noting that Essex County's largest city, Newark, is solidly Democratic, as are cities such as East Orange, Irvington, and Orange. Republican candidates typically get their primary support from the county's western suburban towns, but those areas don't produce enough primary votes to even come close to the Democrats' totals.

Essex County Board of County Commissioners District Results

Apart from the at-large seats, Essex County's Board of Commissioners also includes district-level races that are associated with specific geographic areas of the county. These races are usually more localized and are driven by municipal Democratic organizations and town-level name recognition, rather than countywide campaigns.

Local district commissioner races are important because they represent specific communities within Essex County, from the Oranges and Maplewood in the south to Caldwell and Verona in the north. Candidates in these races usually have deep roots in their communities and run with strong support from local leaders.

In 2026, the primary results for district commissioner seats mirrored the larger race. Democratic nominees advanced with little significant Republican competition in most districts, setting up general election contests that will be decided largely along party registration lines.

• District 1: Includes parts of Newark - The Democratic nominee advanced with strong support from voters. Young Dem, Wilson Pichardo received 2,983 votes.

• District 2: Includes communities such as the Oranges. The Democratic primary effectively determined the winner who has already successfully served this community. Young Dem, A'dorian Murray-Thomas received 9,047 votes.

• District 3: Includes suburban towns in the county's western corridor - This is the most competitive general election territory in Essex County. With an exceptional voter turnout, Young Dem, Medinah Muhammad received 9.535 votes.

• District 4: Includes the northern municipalities of Essex. The Democratic nominee secured the nomination with extremely widespread support from voters. Leonard Luciano received 12,401 votes.

• District 5: Includes South Essex communities such as Irvington and Maplewood - The Democratic primary was a decisive contest for voters in District 5. Carlos Pomares received 13, 479 votes.

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Mail-In and Provisional Ballots Still Being Counted

Election night totals in New Jersey primaries are always a snapshot, not the final picture. Under New Jersey election law, mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day - June 2, 2026 - are accepted by county boards of elections through June 8, 2026, six days after the primary. That means a significant number of votes were still in transit or being processed when the first results were published.

Recent elections in New Jersey have seen mail-in voting account for a large share of total votes, especially in Democratic-leaning counties like Essex. The use of mail-in ballots in the county increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic and has stayed high. The final order of races with close margins in the at-large field could change slightly once all mail-in ballots have been fully counted.

Mail-In Ballots Postmarked by June 2 Accepted Until June 8

This six-day window is the norm in New Jersey and applies to all 21 counties. The Essex County Board of Elections processes incoming mail-in ballots continuously during this period, updating totals as batches are verified and counted.

In hotly contested races, the counting period after Election Day is crucial. A candidate who seems to come in third on election night could rise or fall once all mail-in votes are counted. Election watchers and campaigns typically keep an eye on these updates in the days after the primary.

Individuals who applied for a mail-in ballot but decided to vote in person on Election Day had to cast a provisional ballot at their polling station. These ballots undergo a different verification process to ensure that no voter is counted twice before being included in the official totals.

Last Votes to Be Counted Are Provisional Ballots

In any New Jersey election, the final votes to be counted are the provisional ballots. These are the ballots that need to be verified for eligibility. This includes voters who have moved, voters whose signatures need to be verified, or voters who went to the wrong polling location. Essex County counts these votes after all the mail-in ballots have been counted. This means that the fully certified results usually come in several weeks after Election Day.

Results for the CD-11 Special Primary and General Election

Essex County voters participated in both the regular June 2026 primary and a special election primary for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District (CD-11). The Essex County Clerk’s Office provides a specific results page for the 2026 CD-11 Special Primary Election, which can be accessed through the official Clarity Elections portal at essexclerk.com. The CD-11 special election is particularly important for the 2026 primary cycle in Essex County, as it covers a significant portion of the county, including Newark and surrounding communities.

How to Locate Complete Essex County Election Results

For those following the full, race-by-race breakdown of every contest on the 2026 Essex County primary ballot, there are two authoritative sources to keep in mind. Both are updated as new ballot batches are counted and verified, so it is crucial to check back in the days following Election Day for the most accurate picture.

Official Results Portal of the Essex County Clerk's Office

The ultimate and official results are maintained by the Essex County Clerk's Office at essexclerk.com. The results are hosted through the Clarity Elections platform. The 2026 Primary Election Results page provides a comprehensive summary view of every race, with the ability to see results by municipality and reporting unit. This will be the source to use for certified figures once the canvassing process is complete.

NJ.com Elections Coverage Hub

NJ.com serves as the leading source for real-time New Jersey election night results, publishing race-by-race totals as they are reported by county election officials. Their 2026 election hub at nj.com/elections covers every competitive primary race across all 21 New Jersey counties, including full Essex County results updated through the evening of June 2, 2026. For readers who want context alongside the numbers - candidate backgrounds, race analysis, and municipal-level breakdowns, NJ.com pairs raw results with editorial coverage that puts the numbers in perspective.

These two sources work well together. The Essex County Clerk's portal provides official, authoritative numbers with precinct-level detail, while NJ.com offers broader political context and faster election-night updates. Serious election watchers use both.

Results Are Not Final Until Certified

All numbers that are released on the night of the election, including the ones we have reported here, come with a significant caveat. In New Jersey, primary election results are not official until the county board of elections completes its canvass. This involves checking all mail-in ballots received within the six-day window after Election Day, processing all provisional ballots, and reconciling the totals from all reporting units in the county. This process usually takes two to three weeks after the primary.

Therefore, for the 2026 Essex County primary, the certified results will probably be finalized in mid-to-late June 2026. In contests where the gap between candidates is relatively narrow, especially in the Commissioner At-Large race, where several candidates were vying for four spots, the final certified order may vary from what the election night totals indicated. Candidates, campaigns, and election monitors keep a close eye on the canvassing process for this very reason.

Common Questions

Here are responses to the questions that are most often asked by readers about the 2026 Essex County primary results and the functioning of New Jersey's election process.

When Will the 2026 Essex County Primary Results Be Certified?

The 2026 Essex County primary results will be officially certified approximately two to three weeks after Election Day, which falls on June 2, 2026. Certification cannot occur until all mail-in ballots postmarked by June 2 and received by June 8 have been processed, all provisional ballots have been verified and counted, and the county board of elections has completed its full canvass of every reporting unit. Based on standard New Jersey timelines, expect official certification between mid- and late June 2026. The Essex County Clerk’s Office at essexclerk.com will reflect the certified figures once that process is complete.

Where Can I Find the Full Breakdown of Every Race in Essex County?

The most comprehensive race-by-race data for the 2026 Essex County primary is available from two sources. The Essex County Clerk’s Office official results portal provides certified data at the precinct and municipality level, while NJ.com offers election-night results with editorial context. Both sources are updated as more ballots are counted after Election Day.

• Official Results from Essex County Clerk: essexclerk.com — provided by Clarity Elections, with detailed results by municipality and reporting unit

• Election Hub on NJ.com: nj.com/elections — live results with editorial context and coverage of statewide races

• Results for CD-11 Special Primary: Accessible through a dedicated page on the Essex County Clerk's Clarity Elections portal

• Sample Ballots for 2026 Primary: Available at essexclerk.com for voters who want to compare with what was on their specific ballot

• Directory of Elected Officials in Essex County: Updated after the election at essexclerk.com/Services/33 to reflect the results of the primary

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By bookmarking both the Clerk's portal and the elections hub on NJ.com, you will have the most comprehensive view of both the raw results and the political context for every race on the 2026 primary ballot in Essex County.

What is the Process for Counting Mail-In Ballots in Essex County?

In Essex County, mail-in ballots undergo several verification steps before they are counted. The county board of elections first checks the outer envelope of a received ballot to ensure the voter's signature matches the one on their voter registration. Once the signature is confirmed, the ballot is separated from the envelope to maintain voter anonymity. The ballot is then put through tabulation equipment. If a ballot arrives after the June 8 deadline, it is not counted, even if it was postmarked on time. This is according to New Jersey law.

Essex County continuously processes mail-in ballots in the days following the primary, causing vote totals to continue to update long after election night. As groups of ballots are verified and tabulated, the county board of elections publishes batch updates. These updates are then reflected on both the Clarity Elections portal and NJ.com’s results pages.

Which Races Were Included in the 2026 Essex County Primary Ballot?

On the 2026 Essex County primary ballot, races for Essex County Executive, Essex County Board of Commissioners At-Large (four seats), Essex County Board of Commissioners district seats, and the CD-11 Special Congressional Primary were included. Depending on the specific municipality, local municipal races and school board contests may also have been included on the ballots. Voters can confirm what exactly was included on their ballot by reviewing the 2026 primary sample ballots published by the Essex County Clerk’s Office at essexclerk.com.

What Separates Unofficial and Official Election Results?

Unofficial results are the vote totals reported on Election Day and in the immediate days following, before the full canvassing process is complete. These numbers come from the tabulation machines at the polling places and the initial counts of mail-in ballots, but they do not yet include all outstanding mail-in ballots, provisional ballots, or any necessary corrections that are identified during the canvass. They are reported quickly to give the public an early sense of how the races are shaping up, but they are clearly labeled as unofficial because they are subject to change.

The official results, on the other hand, are the confirmed totals that are produced once the county board of elections has counted every legitimate ballot, resolved every provisional ballot challenge, and conducted a comprehensive audit of reporting units. In New Jersey, the county board of elections issues official certification, which carries legal weight; the certified result determines who advances to the general election or wins a seat outright.

Most of the races in the 2026 Essex County primary have a wide enough margin between candidates that the unofficial results can reliably predict the certified outcome. However, in closer contests - especially multi-candidate races like the Commissioner At-Large primary - it's always a good idea to wait for the full certified count before drawing final conclusions.

Keep an eye on the Essex County Clerk's Office for updates as the canvassing process continues in the coming weeks, and visit nj.com/elections for continuous statewide coverage as New Jersey moves toward November.

To stay informed, make sure you contact us.