Garbage disposal has strange switch wiring

Question

Could use some help on this one—I've wired plenty of outlets and switches, dimmers, 3 way, etc. but this one stumped me.

I need to replace the old switch on my garbage disposal, and I assumed I'd be able to use a standard 15amp switch. When I opened it up, I saw the existing switch had 2 red wires going to 2 terminals, but a third black wire that seems to be hardwired into the switch.

My new switch has 2 terminals plus a ground. How would I wire it? Do I need a special type of switch? Can I just cut and cap the black wire?

It's in the same junction box as a GFCI outlet, not sure that matters.

Pictures—switch on the left in first, second image shows the junction box wiring.

Answer 1

The black wire is actually connected to the red wire next to it by means of a backstab. It's a good practice not to use backstabs because they are prone to failures. Twist the switch off that black wire or insert a small screwdriver into the slot next to where the black wire goes into the switch and pull the wire out.

One of those two wires is your feed and the other is a hot going to another junction box to feed something else. Get another piece of wire 6" long and pigtail it with the red wire and the black wire with a wire nut. Connect that wire and the other red wire from the old switch to your new switch.