Question 1

Who should I vote for in New Jersey in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Vote for the candidate with the strongest record. This page scores 13 New Jersey races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and statewide office on the Ballot Standard, 15 qualities of character, qualifications and performance from public records and established reporting, and names the candidate who scores highest in each. Evidence checked October 10, 2026.

Question 2

Who should I vote for in New Jersey Senate?

Accepted Answer

Cory Booker has the strongest record in the New Jersey U.S. Senate race. Cory Booker scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Justin Murphy at 58, as of October 9, 2026. Cory Booker's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Justin Murphy's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Veronica Fernandez (4 of 15 criteria) and Joanne Kuniansky (4 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 3

Who should I vote for in NJ-01?

Accepted Answer

Donald Norcross has the strongest record in New Jersey's 1st Congressional District. Donald Norcross scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Donald Norcross's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Damon Galdo (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 4

Who should I vote for in NJ-02?

Accepted Answer

Jeff Van Drew has the strongest record in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District. Jeff Van Drew scores 70 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Zack Mullock at 61, as of October 9, 2026. Jeff Van Drew's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Zack Mullock's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Ramon Mora Jr. (4 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 5

Who should I vote for in NJ-03?

Accepted Answer

Herb Conaway has the strongest record in New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District. Herb Conaway scores 67 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Michael McGuire at 50, as of October 9, 2026. Herb Conaway's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Ryan Michael Kelly (6 of 15 criteria) and Steven Welzer (4 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 6

Who should I vote for in NJ-04?

Accepted Answer

Chris Smith has the strongest record in New Jersey's 4th Congressional District. Chris Smith scores 73 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Chris Smith's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Rachel Peace (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 7

Who should I vote for in NJ-05?

Accepted Answer

Josh Gottheimer has the strongest record in New Jersey's 5th Congressional District. Josh Gottheimer scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Josh Gottheimer's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Sean Kirrane (6 of 15 criteria) and Adam Rueda (3 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 8

Who should I vote for in NJ-06?

Accepted Answer

Frank Pallone has the strongest record in New Jersey's 6th Congressional District. Frank Pallone scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Frank Pallone's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Hillary Herzig (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 9

Who should I vote for in NJ-07?

Accepted Answer

Tom Kean Jr. has the strongest record in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District. Tom Kean Jr. scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Rebecca Bennett at 56, as of October 9, 2026. Tom Kean Jr.'s highest marks are relevant experience and coalition building. Rebecca Bennett's highest marks are integrity and communication. Seamus Patrick O'Toole (2 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 10

Who should I vote for in NJ-08?

Accepted Answer

Rob Menendez has the strongest record in New Jersey's 8th Congressional District. Rob Menendez scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Rob Menendez's highest marks are relevant experience and showing up. Aristotle Eliopoulos (3 of 15 criteria), Craig Honts (2 of 15 criteria) and Da'Shone Hughey (4 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 11

Who should I vote for in NJ-09?

Accepted Answer

Nellie Pou has the strongest record in New Jersey's 9th Congressional District. Nellie Pou scores 67 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Nellie Pou's highest marks are relevant experience and showing up. Terrisa Bukovinac (2 of 15 criteria) and Rosie Pino (7 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 12

Who should I vote for in NJ-10?

Accepted Answer

LaMonica McIver has the strongest record in New Jersey's 10th Congressional District. LaMonica McIver scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. LaMonica McIver's highest marks are command of the job and showing up. Carmen Bucco (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 13

Who should I vote for in NJ-11?

Accepted Answer

Analilia Mejia has the strongest record in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. Analilia Mejia scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Joe Hathaway at 59, as of October 9, 2026. Analilia Mejia's highest marks are showing up and courage. Joe Hathaway's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Alan Bond (1 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 14

Who should I vote for in NJ-12?

Accepted Answer

Adam Hamawy has the strongest record in New Jersey's 12th Congressional District. Adam Hamawy scores 53 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Adam Hamawy's highest marks are communication. Andres Jinete (5 of 15 criteria), Winston Jordan (5 of 15 criteria) and Gregg Mele (6 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Who should I vote for in New Jersey?

U.S. Senate, New Jersey

U.S. House, New Jersey 1st Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 2nd Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 3rd Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 4th Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 5th Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 6th Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 7th Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 8th Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 9th Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 10th Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 11th Congressional District

U.S. House, New Jersey 12th Congressional District