WASHINGTON (AP) - New Jersey voters head to the polls Tuesday to select nominees for both chambers of Congress, with one competitive district standing out as a potential factor in House control.

Republicans maintain a slim House edge amid a challenging midterm cycle where the party in the White House often loses ground. While redistricting shifts and a Supreme Court decision on majority-Black districts may aid GOP efforts in some areas, securing competitive seats such as New Jersey's 7th remains vital for both parties.

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. seeks a third term in the 7th District and faces no Republican primary opponent. His father, Thomas Kean Sr., served two terms as the state's Republican governor during the 1980s.

He will meet the winner of a contested Democratic primary that includes former healthcare executive Rebecca Bennett, former Small Business Administration official Michael Roth, physician Tina Shah, and entrepreneur Brian Varela. Bennett holds the lead in fundraising and cash reserves as the race nears its end.

Kean's recent absence has drawn notice on the trail and in Congress. On April 27 he issued a statement noting he was handling a personal medical matter and planned to return soon. As of Monday he had not cast a vote since March 5, skipping more than 100 straight roll calls.

The 7th District covers northern New Jersey from the Staten Island area to the Pennsylvania line. Donald Trump carried it narrowly in 2024 with 49.6 percent to Kamala Harris's 48.5 percent.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker also appears on the ballot, running unopposed for the Democratic nomination in his bid for a third full term. Republican contenders include physician Robert Lebovics, former Tabernacle Deputy Mayor Justin Murphy, Army veteran and ex-state trooper Richard Tabor, and former local TV news reporter Alex Zdan.

Bergen and Middlesex counties rank among the state's most populous and serve as key swing areas in both parties' statewide primaries. Essex County, anchored by Newark, draws heavy Democratic turnout but carries less weight in Republican contests. Ocean, Monmouth, and Morris counties typically deliver the largest Republican primary vote totals.

Union County accounts for the biggest share of the 7th District vote, followed by Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

Key facts and metrics the AP Decision Team will track as results come in follow.

When do polls close?

Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.

What's on the ballot?

The Associated Press will report results and name winners in contested primaries for U.S. Senate and U.S. House.

Who gets to vote?

Only registered party members may participate in their party's primary. Democrats cannot vote in Republican contests and vice versa. Independent voters may choose either primary, though doing so registers them with that party.

How many voters are there?

As of May 1, New Jersey had roughly 6.7 million registered voters, including about 2.5 million Democrats, 1.7 million Republicans, and 2.4 million unaffiliated.

How many people actually vote?

The 2025 gubernatorial primary drew about 841,000 Democratic votes and 466,000 Republican votes, exceeding the 2024 Senate primary turnout of roughly 525,000 Democratic and 318,000 Republican ballots.

How much of the vote is cast early or by absentee ballot?

In the 2025 gubernatorial primaries, about 46 percent of Democratic votes and 31 percent of Republican votes arrived before primary day. As of Wednesday, roughly 285,000 ballots had been cast for Tuesday's election, with Democrats accounting for 79 percent and Republicans 20 percent.

When are early and absentee votes released?

New Jersey counties generally report mail and early in-person results ahead of Election Day tallies, often releasing nearly all such ballots in the first report of the evening.

How long does vote-counting usually take?

During the 2025 gubernatorial primaries the AP posted initial results at 8:03 p.m. ET and issued its final update at 11:43 p.m. ET with about 93 percent of votes counted.

When will the AP declare a winner?

The AP issues no projections and calls races only when no realistic path remains for a trailing candidate to overtake the leader. If a contest stays uncalled, coverage will continue on any notable developments while noting the absence of a decision.

How do recounts work?

Automatic recounts do not exist in New Jersey. Candidates or voters may request and fund them, with costs refunded if the result shifts. The AP may still declare a winner if the margin exceeds any plausible recount impact.

Are we there yet?

As of Tuesday, 154 days remain until the 2026 midterm elections.

- Robert Yoon, Associated Press