Election Day 2026: Atlantic and Cape May Counties Face High-Stakes Congressional, Sheriff and County Races

ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. — Voters across Atlantic and Cape May counties are casting ballots Tuesday in an election that could reshape local government, determine South Jersey's representation in Congress and provide an important indication of the political direction of the region.

Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m., with several closely watched races on the ballot, including the contest between Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew and Democratic challenger Zack Mullock, the Atlantic County sheriff's race and elections for county clerk and county commissioners.

While New Jersey voters are also deciding a U.S. Senate race, some of the most consequential contests for South Jersey residents are farther down the ballot.

Atlantic County, in particular, has emerged as a political battleground after delivering victories to both Republicans and Democrats in recent statewide elections.

Van Drew Faces Challenge From Cape May Mayor

One of the region's highest-profile contests pits Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew against Democratic challenger Zack Mullock, the mayor of Cape May.

Van Drew, who represents New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District, is seeking another two-year term in Washington.

The congressman was first elected as a Democrat in 2018 before switching to the Republican Party following his opposition to the first impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Since changing parties, Van Drew has established a strong Republican voting base throughout much of South Jersey.

Mullock, meanwhile, is attempting to capitalize on Democratic enthusiasm and his own connections to Cape May County.

The contest is particularly interesting because both candidates have political roots in Cape May County, a traditionally Republican stronghold.

Van Drew carried Cape May County by approximately 27 percentage points in the 2024 election. He also won Atlantic County by approximately eight points that year.

Those margins illustrate the challenge facing Mullock.

For the Democrat to pull off an upset, he would likely need substantial support in Atlantic City, Pleasantville and other Democratic-leaning communities, while reducing Van Drew's margins in traditionally Republican municipalities.

The race also includes independent candidate Ramon Mora Jr.

Political observers are watching whether dissatisfaction with the national Republican administration translates into increased Democratic support in congressional races.

A strong showing by Mullock, even without a victory, could provide an indication of changing political attitudes in South Jersey.

Atlantic County Sheriff's Race Draws Attention

Another closely watched contest is the race for Atlantic County sheriff between Republican incumbent Joseph "Tokyo" O'Donoghue and Democratic challenger Sean Riggin.

O'Donoghue is seeking another term leading the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office, which handles court security, warrant enforcement, prisoner transportation and other law enforcement responsibilities.

The sheriff's office also participates in community outreach, public safety initiatives and programs involving vulnerable populations.

Riggin is attempting to unseat the Republican incumbent in a county where Democrats have demonstrated an ability to compete in statewide and local elections.

The outcome will determine who leads an agency with responsibilities throughout Atlantic County, including communities that maintain their own municipal police departments.

The race has attracted attention because of the sheriff's visibility in county government and the broader political competition between Atlantic County Republicans and Democrats.

Unlike congressional elections, which frequently focus on national issues, the sheriff's contest directly affects the administration and priorities of a local law enforcement agency.

Atlantic County Clerk and Commissioner Seats Also at Stake

Atlantic County voters are also choosing a county clerk.

Republican incumbent Joseph Giralo faces Democratic challenger Lisa Bender.

The county clerk's office is responsible for several important government functions, including recording property documents, processing passports and administering certain election-related responsibilities.

The office also plays a role in maintaining public records and providing services to residents and businesses.

Giralo is seeking another term, while Bender is attempting to return the office to Democratic control.

Voters will also decide several seats on the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners.

Republican incumbents John Risley and June Byrnes are seeking re-election to two at-large seats against Democrats Jonathan Marcellus and Kyle Gornick.

In the county's 3rd Commissioner District, which includes portions of Egg Harbor Township and Hamilton Township, Republican incumbent Andrew Parker faces Democrat Richard Healey.

Republicans currently hold an 8-1 majority on the nine-member board.

The elections will help determine whether Republicans maintain their commanding advantage or Democrats can gain additional representation.

The stakes are significant because commissioners oversee county spending, public services, infrastructure and other government operations.

Atlantic County has experienced some extremely close commissioner elections in recent years.

In 2025, Republican Commissioner Art Schenker narrowly defeated Democratic challenger Victoria Dolceamore by just 271 votes.

That result demonstrated how a relatively small shift in voter participation can affect county government.

Cape May County Voters Decide Commissioner Races

In Cape May County, voters are selecting two members of the Board of County Commissioners.

Republicans Curtis Bashaw and Patrick Rosenello face Democrats David Temple and Eric Morey.

Bashaw, a Cape May County businessman, was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024, when he challenged Democrat Andy Kim.

Rosenello previously served as mayor of North Wildwood.

The two Republicans are seeking seats being vacated by Commissioners Will Morey and Melanie Collette.

Cape May County has historically been a Republican stronghold, making the county commissioner contests another test of whether Democratic enthusiasm can translate into local electoral gains.

Republican Sheriff Robert Nolan is also on the ballot without a Democratic opponent.

Municipal contests are taking place in several Cape May County communities, including Dennis Township and Lower Township.

Atlantic County's Changing Political Landscape

One of the biggest questions heading into Tuesday's election is whether Atlantic County will continue its recent pattern of shifting between the two major parties.

In 2024, Donald Trump carried Atlantic County by approximately four percentage points, becoming the first Republican presidential candidate to win the county since George H.W. Bush.

Just one year later, Democrat Mikie Sherrill carried Atlantic County by approximately three points in the 2025 gubernatorial election.

That reversal demonstrated the county's competitive political environment.

Atlantic County voters have also shown a willingness to support candidates from different parties in county, state and federal elections.

Political analysts will be watching whether the results of Tuesday's congressional and county contests reflect a broader Democratic shift or reinforce the Republican Party's strength in county government.

Cape May County presents a different political picture.

Republicans have consistently performed well there, including in presidential, gubernatorial and congressional elections.

However, Mullock's candidacy provides an unusual local dimension to the congressional contest because he is challenging a Republican incumbent who also has longstanding ties to the county.

Booker Seeks Another Term in U.S. Senate

At the top of the statewide ballot, Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker is seeking re-election against Republican Justin Murphy, a former Tabernacle deputy mayor.

Also appearing in the Senate race are independent candidate Veronica Fernandez and Socialist Workers Party candidate Joanne Kuniansky.

Booker has traditionally performed better in Atlantic County than in Cape May County.

In his 2020 re-election campaign, Booker carried Atlantic County by approximately seven points while losing Cape May County by approximately 15 points.

The Senate results in both counties will provide another measure of how voters are responding to the national political environment.

Early Voting and Election Night Results

New Jersey entered Election Day with substantial early voting participation.

According to figures cited Tuesday by the New Jersey Globe, more than 1.2 million New Jersey voters had already cast ballots before Election Day.

Of those, approximately 693,000 were registered Democrats, 290,000 were registered Republicans and 239,000 were unaffiliated or third-party voters.

Those figures reflect voters' party registrations, not which candidates received their votes.

Republicans have traditionally relied more heavily on Election Day turnout, meaning early voting participation alone does not establish which party will win Tuesday's contests.

Polls close at 8 p.m.

Unofficial results are expected to begin appearing on county election websites after voting concludes.

However, close races may not be decided Tuesday night.

Mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day can still be received and counted within the period permitted by state law, and provisional ballots must undergo verification.

Election-night totals are unofficial until the results are certified.

For Atlantic and Cape May County voters, the results will determine not only who represents South Jersey in Washington but also who holds important positions in county and municipal government.

And in politically competitive Atlantic County, even relatively small changes in voter turnout could have a significant impact.

South Jersey NewsBeat will follow the results of the major congressional, county and municipal races as they become available Tuesday night. For live results and instant analysis, listen to NewsTalk 1400 & 92.3 WOND tonight.