Photo courtesy of Neidy Gutierrez | SOC Images.
U.S. General Elections are just around the corner. This coming Tuesday, Nov. 5, Americans will choose their next President, as well as cast votes for the U.S. Senate and The House of Representatives.
President Biden’s term ends with a contested race for the presidency. During his four-year term, Biden’s presidency has been marked by issues like inflation, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and foreign policy, particularly, his handling of the Israel-Palestine war.
Voters will turn to the polls once again to decide whether the Democratic party should be granted another term or switch back to a Republican administration.
In New Jersey, residents will also be able to vote in the local contests for Board of County Commissioner, City Council, and Board of Education, to name a few.
For the first time, New Jerseyans will have the option of Early Voting since Governor Murphy signed this into law in 2021. Residents can visit designated voting locations and cast their votes on a voting machine until Nov. 3. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
For those who cannot vote in person, voting by mail is available until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5, but needs to be delivered in person to the Hudson County Clerk at 257 Cornelison Avenue in Jersey City.
According to SmartTarget, over half a million people have already submitted their vote-by-mail ballots. In New Jersey, almost a million residents have submitted their ballots.
Who’s On My Ballot?
The Presidential Race
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump lead the presidential race.
Harris emerged as a new figure to lead the Democratic Party nomination, after President Biden decided to withdraw from the race after criticism of his debate performance.
Former President Trump is once again the Republican Party nominee. He’s been able to secure his nomination despite his conviction for felony crimes and an assassination attempt. He remains a strong figure for Republicans.
Both candidates will end their campaigns with rallies in swing states like Texas, Michigan, and Georgia. Early poll reports show a tight margin with a low percentage difference. As of Oct. 28, Trump is ahead of Harris by 49%-48% in Michigan. In Georgia, they are tied at 49%. Conversely, Harris leads in Arizona 48%-47%.
The Harris campaign has enlisted the help of Republican voices in an effort to appeal to moderate voters. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign continues to push its America First Agenda. Despite the leveled results, Harris and Trump present opposing proposals on issues like the economy, immigration, climate change, and gun control.
Conversely to their local policies, both Harris and Trump share similar views on foreign policy as they have pledged to keep sending funds to Israel to carry on their war on Palestine. This issue has proved decisive to voters, particularly Muslim and Arab voters. After Democrats failed to give a platform to the Uncommitted delegates at the DNC, these demographics have opted for other choices like not voting, or supporting other parties like Green Party’s nominee Jill Stein who advocates for an end to the war.
The Senate Race
After Senator Bob Menendez resigned due to his conviction on bribery charges, the race for the Senate seat came down to Democrat Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw.
Kim has previously served as New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District representative. His proposals focus on strengthening the local economy, developing green jobs, ending government corruption and enacting laws for reproductive freedom.
Bashaw, on the other hand, is a businessman and developer. Some of his proposals are to focus on energy independence, strengthening border security, lowering taxes for businesses and supporting Israel.
The Congress Race
There are 12 congressional contests in the Garden State for its 12th Congressional Districts. The majority of the candidates present similar proposals to those of their parties. Some notorious races are, for example, NJ’s 5th Congressional District contest between Democrat Josh Gottheimer and Republican Mary Jo Guinchard. Gottheimer is seeking a fifth term while Guinchard, former Bergen County Commissioner, hopes to overtake this election.
Meanwhile, in NJ’s 7th Congressional District incumbent candidate Republican Tom Kean Jr. is challenged by Democratic candidate Sue Altman. Both campaigns have raised the largest amount of money out of all congressional races.
For NJ’s 8th Congressional District, incumbent Rob Menendez hopes to be re-elected and faces Republican candidate Anthony Valdes. Menendez’s campaign was overshadowed by his father’s corruption scandal, but still polls ahead of Valdes to represent NJ’s 8th district.
Hudson County Ballot’s Summary
Some of Hudson County’s 12 towns will elect City Council and Board of Education members.
Here’s a comprehensive summary of the candidates that will appear on the ballots.
President and Vice-President (all cities and towns)
- Kamala Harris/Tim Walz → Democratic Party
- Donald Trump/J.D. Vance → Republican Party
- Randall A. Terry/Stephen E. Broden → U.S Constitution Party
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr./Nicole Shanahan → Independent
- Claudia De La Cruz/Karina Garcia → Socialism and Liberation
- Chase Oliver/Mike Ter Maat → Libertarian Party
- Jill Stein/Rudolph Ware → Green Party
- Joseph Kishore/Jerry White → Socialist Equality
- Rachele Fruit/Margaret Trowe → Socialist Workers Party
Senator (all cities and towns)
- Andy Kim → Democratic Party
- Curtis Bashaw → Republican Party
- Patricia G. Mooneyham → Vote Better Party
- Kenneth R. Kaplan → Libertarian Party
- Christina Khalil → Green Party
- Joanne Kuniansky → Socialist Workers Party
Bayonne (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
A Surrogate is an individual who speaks on behalf of a candidate or elected official, usually to promote, defend or explain their positions and policies.
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Membership to the Board of Education
- Jodi Casais/Melissa Godesky-Rodriguez/Pamela Sclafane → Together We Can
- Michael J. Alonso → Make Bayonne Great
East Newark (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Council-at-Large
- Kenneth Graham → Democratic Party
- Rose Evaristo → Democratic Party
Membership to the Board of Education (2-year unexpired term)
- Heather R. Leone → 4 The Kids
Membership to the Board of Education (3-year term)
- Magaly Garnica/Marissa Garnica/Laura Ditchkus → 4 The Kids
Guttenberg (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Membership to the Board of Education
- Jean T. Sosnowski/Claudia Vazallo/Rita Copeland → Working Together
Harrison (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Hoboken (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Membership to the Board of Education
- Malani Cademartori/Ailene McGuirk/Thomas Kluepfel → Building Futures Together
- Patricia Waiters → Support All Children
Jersey City (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Membership to the Board of Education
- Matthew Schneider/Tia Rezabala → For Stronger Schools
- Natalia Ioffe/Ahmed Kheir/Melany Cruz Burgos → Education Matters
- Miriam Tarfiles → Independent
- “Sam” Sumit Salia → Parents for Education
Jersey City (10th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- LaMonica McIver → Democratic Party
- Carmen Bucco → Republican Party
- Cynthia A. Johnson → C4C 2024
- Donna Weiss → Social Activist
- Michelle Middleton → All Of Us!
- Jon Carlos Serrano → Green Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Membership to the Board of Education
- Matthew Schneider/Tia Rezabala → For stronger Schools
- Natalia Ioffe/Ahmed Kheir/Melany Cruz Burgos → Education Matters
- Miriam Tarfiles → Independent
- “Sam” Sumit Salia → Parents for Education
Kearny (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Membership to the Board of Education
- Adeline Boyd → Independent
- John Carey → Independent
- Cecilia Lindenfelser → Independent
Kearny (9th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Nellie Pou → Democratic Party
- Billy Prempeh → Republican Party
- Bruno Pereira → Libertarian Party
- Benjamin Taylor → Green Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Ward Council (Unexpired Term)
- Fred R. Esteves → Democratic Party
- Jorge dos Santos → Republican
Membership to the Board of Education
- Adeline Boyd → Independent
- John Carey → Independent
- Cecilia Lindenfelser → Independent
North Bergen (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Secaucus (9th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Nellie Pou → Democratic Party
- Billy Prempeh → Republican Party
- Bruno Pereira → Libertarian Party
- Benjamin Taylor → Green Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Membership to the Board of Education
- Audry Yule/Valerie Giraldo → Community Winning Resolutions
- Melissa Howard → Advocate for Education
- Monica Berckes → A Winning District
- Tatiana Geller/Gerald M. Lyons → Excellence in Education
- Jamie A. Fisher → The Peoples Voice
Union City (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
Weehawken (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
West New York (8th Congressional District)
House of Representatives
- Rob Menendez → Democratic Party
- Anthony Valdes → Republican Party
- Pablo R. Olivera → Labour Party
- Christian J. Robbins → Green Party
- Lea Sherman → Socialist Workers Party
Surrogate
- Tilo Rivas → Democratic Party
- Juliana Lombard → Republican Party
For more information on how to vote in NJ, you can visit nj.gov/state/elections/vote. You can visit the Hudson County Clerk website for information about Hudson County voting.
