N.J. Stat. § 40A:16-15: Appointment pending election when person elected to office dies before commencement of term

If at any time after an election for the office of mayor or for a member of the governing body and before the time fixed for the commencement of the term of the office, the person elected to that office dies, the municipal committee of the political party of which the person elected was the nominee shall appoint another person to fill the position until the next regular municipal election. If the person elected was not the nominee of a political party, on or within 30 days after the time fixed for the commencement of the term of office, the governing body shall appoint a successor to fill the office until the next regular municipal election without regard to party.

L.1979, c.83, s.1;amended 1980,c.93,s.2; 1993,c.341.