The Palestinian American Community Center’s (PACC) Beginner’s Guide to NJ 2026 Election & Community Resources.
PACC is committed to registering voters and getting out the vote across Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson Counties to ensure our voices are heard. However, we recognize that regardless of election outcomes, our communities remain vulnerable and marginalized. Election cycles often intensify tensions and take heavy physical, psychological, economic, and social tolls on historically oppressed groups. That’s why we remain focused on empowering our community to change the status quo —not just during elections, but always. PACC is an open, safe space for Arab, Palestinian, and all communities with shared struggles.
What is a Primary?
There are two types of elections: primaries and general elections, with the primary coming first. When you vote in a primary, you get to pick the person you want to represent the political parties in your district. It is the election before the election.
For example: There are 5 democrats and 3 republicans running for the Governor's Race. Only 1 Democrat and 1 Republican each can win. Then, in the General Election those two people run against each other.
What seats will be elected in this 2026 primary election?
U.S. Senate Race
Voters will choose candidates who will represent New Jersey in the United States Senate. This person helps make national laws and decisions about issues like foreign policy, immigration, and the economy—decisions that shape our rights, safety, and opportunities across the country.
New Jersey elects 2 Senators, but only 1 seat is up for election at a time. This year, Senator Cory Booker is up for re-election.
Congressional Race
This election includes candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives. These officials vote on federal laws and funding that impact our daily lives, including healthcare, education, housing, and community programs.
Each district elects 1 Representative to serve in Congress.
County Commissioner Race
This election includes candidates running for County Commissioner. These officials make decisions about county services like public health, safety, transportation, and local programs that support residents—services many of us rely on every day.
City Elections
Voters may also choose candidates for local positions in their city, such as mayor or city council members. These officials make decisions about local issues like housing, schools, and community services that directly impact your neighborhood and daily life.
What is a Party Affiliation
Your party affiliation is the political party you choose to support. There are major parties like Democrats and Republicans, but you can also choose other parties. In NJ, you must be registered with a party to vote in their primaries. For example, you must be registered as a Democrat to vote in Democratic Primary, and you must be registered as a Republican to vote in the Republican primary.
If you're registered with a political party and want to switch, you must do so at least 55 days before the election. However, if you're "unaffiliated," you can choose which party's primary you want to vote in on the day of the primary election.
Why do the NJ Primaries matter?
Primaries are where elections are decided. Because fewer people vote in primaries than in general elections, each vote carries more power—giving our community a real chance to shape who makes it onto the ballot. We often have candidates within the same party running against each other—some who represent our values, and some who do not. If we don’t show up early, harmful candidates can move on to the general election while stronger, community-aligned candidates get left behind.
How does this affect our rights and fight for liberation?
Which shade of green or orange is your favorite?
How to go about choosing your candidate?
Look up “the name of your county & Sample Ballot” online to see who is running. Then, research each candidate to see who is the best fit to represent you. You can also look to trusted organizations that create scorecards and endorsements to see their recommendations on community-related issues— turning your individual vote into a community vote.
We’re seeing the power of our community in action. In just three years, voter participation has grown from about 6% to 13%. Because of this, more pro-Palestinian candidates are running and winning at all levels of government, and fewer candidates in congressional races—where foreign policy is decided—are taking AIPAC support. This is shaping decisions that affect us at both the state and national levels. Our participation is already deciding who makes it onto the general election ballot. To learn more and get involved: https://www.paccusa. org/civic-engagement.html
