Lessons from the NJ-11 special election — the power of every vote

As the results trickled in from the special  Democratic primary election to fill the remainder of Governor Mikie Sherrill’s seat in the House of Representatives, one thing became abundantly clear: every vote truly matters. That’s especially true in primaries and special elections, which too often are overlooked.

With all the ballots now nearly counted, Analila Mejia is poised to win by just over 1,100 votes against former Congressman Tom Malinowski, a result that few saw coming. In a district as civically engaged and politically sophisticated as New Jersey’s 11th, it is a stunning upset — and a powerful reminder that small margins can reshape political futures.

To put it in perspective, Mejia’s victory in an 11-person race may mark the beginning of a long and influential career in Congress. And yet, her success may have hinged on one community’s turnout — perhaps a single neighborhood, or even one synagogue that showed up in full force. That’s how close it was. That’s how democracy works in these moments.

In elections like these, organized and motivated groups carry even greater influence. A few hundred votes can determine not only a nominee, but potentially the next member of Congress — someone who will cast votes on foreign aid, security funding, and domestic policy that directly affects our institutions and families.

This election also underscores a second, often-overlooked lesson: in crowded primaries, strategy matters. When 10 or 11 candidates are splitting the vote, a handful of supporters can make or break a campaign. So instead of casting a ballot for someone who has no realistic path to victory, voters should consider rallying behind their second or third choice — the candidate who aligns closely with their values and has the momentum to win.

None of this suggests compromising on principle. Rather, it calls for clear-eyed civic engagement. Our tradition teaches the importance of communal responsibility — kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh. In civic life, that responsibility includes thoughtful participation and strategic awareness.

Primaries and special elections may not attract presidential-level attention, but their outcomes can have a lasting impact on communities and the nation. What happened in NJ-11 wasn’t just a local shakeup; it was a lesson in civic engagement.

The message for our community is simple: Show up. Register. Vote. Encourage your neighbors. Organize within your synagogues and community groups. Because in elections like this, every vote is not a cliché — it is the margin of history.

David Rosenberg is the executive cirector of the New Jersey Jewish Business Alliance and co-executive director of the Jewish Bar Association of New Jersey.