N.J. Stat. § 17B:18-21
Each director of any mutual insurer, other than its president and other than the chairman of the board if he is the chief executive officer and other than one appointed as a public director in accordance with the provisions of P.L. 1953, chapter 156, holding office as such at the time sections 17B:18-18 to 17B:18-26, inclusive, for the first time become applicable to such insurer shall continue in office as an elected director until the expiration of the term for which he shall have been elected, notwithstanding the number of elected directors shall be greater or less than 16. At each annual election of directors, commencing with the annual election in the calendar year following the first year in which such insurer becomes subject to sections 17B:18-18 to 17B:18-28, inclusive, or, in the case of an insurer which on the effective date of this Code has directors who were elected in accordance with the provisions of P.L. 1953, chapter 156, commencing with the first annual election of directors following the effective date of this Code, 4 elected directors shall be elected in the manner hereinafter provided, each for a term of 4 years, and each such elected director shall hold office until his successor has been elected and has qualified. Except as otherwise provided in sections 17B:18-18 to 17B:18-28, inclusive, in case any vacancies shall occur in the office of an elected director, such vacancies shall be filled by the board of directors by majority vote of its entire number for the unexpired term to which such vacancy relates.
N.J.S. § 17B:18-21