Why Voting Matters for Local Food
Helping New Jersey voters understand how New Jersey's congressional elections shape food and agriculture policy nationally and across the state.
Have you ever wondered why one town has a thriving farmers market and the next one doesn't, or why some schools serve local produce from a and others don't? The candidates we vote for impact these decisions, and we have a right to have our voices heard about food policy issues that impact ourselves and our communities.
New Jersey has an election coming up on Tuesday, November 3. Check your registration status here (it takes less than two minutes) and find out what's on your ballot here.
Your Vote, Your Food System
Every one of New Jersey's 12 congressional seats is on the ballot this year. Congress writes the farm bill, sets SNAP and WIC funding levels, decides whether programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance program exist to help schools and food banks buy from local farms, and shapes the USDA rules that determine whether your local farmer can even compete for public contracts.
In other words, the people we send to Congress this November will help decide whether New Jersey farms stay viable, whether families have reliable access to food, and whether our local food economy keeps growing. We believe every New Jersey resident has a right to know where their candidates stand on these issues and a right to be heard. That's why we are putting together a nonpartisan candidate questionnaire and voter guide, so you can see where the people asking for your vote stand on food and farming, before you head to the polls. We will be publishing them online, along with distributing them at local farmers markets. Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to follow us on Instagram plus subscribe to our newsletter.
Between now and Election Day, NJFDC will be sharing resources to help connect the dots between voting and food policy, including:
Why midterm elections matter for food and agriculture policy
What Congress actually does when it comes to food and farming
How federal decisions impact New Jersey farmers, schools, food banks, and families
Key Dates to Know
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 → New Jersey Congressional General Election
Voter Registration Deadline Received by Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
By mail: postmarked and received by Tuesday, October 27, 2026
In person: by 3:00 PM, Monday, November 2, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
In person: by 8:00 PM, Tuesday, November 3, 2026
By mail: postmarked on or before Election Day, received by 8:00 PM, Monday, November 9, 2026
Early Voting Saturday, October 24 – Sunday, November 1, 2026