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The chief function of New Jersey primary elections is to determine which candidates from each of New Jersey’s political parties will represent them in the general election November 3, 2026.

In addition, the primaries also decide which members within a given political party will join their respective state and county organizing committees.

New Jersey has closed primaries, which means voters must declare their affiliations for a party in order to participate. Registered, unaffiliated voters may participate in the primaries at the polls, provided that they have never previously declared a party affiliation, or are first-time primary election voters.

For any questions about voting eligibility or voter access in Camden County, call the Board of Elections at 654-401-8683.

What’s at Stake

In this election, New Jersey voters will select the candidates who will represent them in state races this fall.

  • At the top of the ticket are the U.S. Congressional midterm elections, including candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
  • Camden County voters will also select candidates for two seats on the Board of County Commissioners.
  • Only two communities in our coverage area — Merchantville and Oaklyn — feature contested primary races among candidates campaigning for positions on their municipal governing bodies.
  • Primary ballots also include nominations of committee members to local political party chapters.

U.S. Senate Rate

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Cory Booker has held his office since 2013, when he won a special election to fulfill the unexpired term of Frank Lautenberg, who died that year of viral pneumonia.

Booker will not face a balloted opponent in the Democratic primary election. Four Republican hopefuls are vying for the opportunity to challenge him in the fall.

They are:

First District U.S. Congressional Race

Incumbent U.S. Representative Donald Norcross faces no balloted opposition in the Democratic primary.

The union labor leader and former electrician has held his seat in Washington since 2014, having previously served in both houses of the New Jersey state legislature.

On the Republican ticket, Damon Galdo, a construction worker and conservative podcaster from West Deptford, similarly faces no balloted opposition. 

Galdo previously ran for the same nomination in 2022 and 2024, but didn’t escape the Republican primaries.

Camden County Commissioners Race

Two seats are up for grabs on the Camden County Board of Commissioners this fall.

Incumbent Camden County Democratic Committee nominees Louis Cappelli, Jr. and Jonathan Young face challenges from Vonetta Hawkins and Constance Mercedes of the South Jersey Progressive Democrats.

For the Republicans, only EMT Robert Stone of Stratford appears on the ballot; however, the Camden County Republican Party is asking voters to write in real estate investor Shane Bernat of Winslow as its second 2026 nominee.

Local Races

Contested local primaries

In our coverage area, only two partisan local primary races are contested: the Democratic candidacies for Merchantville and Oaklyn borough council.

In Merchantville, four Democratic candidates — Kim Brady, Ruby Delarosa, Sean Fitzgerald, and Amie Miller — are vying for two seats on the borough council. Read our interviews with all four candidates here.

In Oaklyn, three Democratic candidates — David Galpern, Chelsea Gittle, and Dorothy “Dot” Valianti — are running for two seats on the borough council. Read our interviews with them here.

Uncontested local primaries

In Audubon Park, Democrat Brian Burns is running unopposed for the office of mayor. Karen Lewis and Regina Foti are similarly running unopposed for two open seats on borough council. No Republican appears on the ballot in either race.

In Haddon Heights, incumbent Democratic Councilwomen Regina Philipps and Kate Harronare running without balloted opposition for re-election to borough council. No Republican candidate appears on the primary ballot.

In Merchantville, incumbent Democratic Councilman Raymond Woods is running unchallenged within his party for the seat vacated by outgoing mayor Ted Brennan. No Republican candidate appears on the primary ballot in either the mayoral or council races.

In Pennsauken, incumbent Democratic Mayor Patrick Olivo and Councilman Vince Martinez face no primary opponents for their re-election to township council, nor does any Republican candidate appear on the ballot.

Voter Information

Polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide on Tuesday, June 2. Scroll down for links to your local sample ballot. 

After you vote, come back and check with NJ Pen for the results as they come in.

Camden County Municipal Sample Ballots

Audubon
Audubon Sample Ballot

Audubon Park
Audubon Park Sample Ballot

Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill Sample Ballot

Collingswood
Collingswood Sample Ballot

Haddon Heights
Haddon Heights Sample Ballot

Haddonfield
Haddonfield Sample Ballot

Haddon Township
Haddon Township Sample Ballot

Merchantville
Merchantville Sample Ballot

Oaklyn
Oaklyn Sample Ballot

Pennsauken
Pennsauken Sample Ballot