N.J. Stat. § 2B:12-37: Judicial appointments.

4. Judicial appointments to the regional municipal court shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Article VI, Section VI, paragraph 1 of the State Constitution. Municipal court judges sitting in the municipal courts selected under section 1 of this act may be considered for appointment to the regional municipal court. The assignment judge of the vicinage shall have the authority to make a temporary appointment in the event of a vacancy.

L.2021, c.191, s.4.