Middlesex County Surrogate
November 3, 2026 · Middlesex County, New Jersey · County · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 3 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 871,290 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(962,316 ÷ 871,290) ÷ ln(962,316 ÷ 65,275) = 3.69, comparing counties in NJ (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
Clerk of Court is responsible for:
- Keeping court records and case files
- Collecting court fines and fees
- Managing jury summons in many places
- Helping the public file and find court documents
Affected Areas: Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Data Privacy
Candidates
Claribel Cortes
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
Incumbent Middlesex County Surrogate and former North Brunswick council and school-board member seeking reelection in 2026.
Records: Government Efficiency 1 for
Harold V. Kane, Jr.
Republican · declared
Republican nominee for Middlesex County Surrogate; a U.S. Navy veteran, retired telecommunications analyst, and former Monroe Township Council candidate.
Election sources
Source: middlesexcountynj.gov
Source: middlesexcountynj.gov
Source: middlesexcountynj.gov