Voting In Bloomfield: Everything You Need To Know

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield voters will get a chance to decide among a long list of local candidates in this year’s historic election, which is being held mostly by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A limited number of polling places will be open on Nov. 3, the same day that mail-in ballots must be postmarked in order to be counted. READ MORE: NJ 2020 Election Guide: How To Vote, Who's On The Ballot

Here’s what’s at stake in Bloomfield.

BLOOMFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

There are three open seats on the Bloomfield Township Council. Each term last for three years.

Jenny Mundell (Ward 1), Nicholas Joanow (Ward 2) and Sarah Cruz (Ward 3), each ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in their respective wards.

BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

A total of six people are running for three seats on the Bloomfield Board of Education. Each term lasts three years.

Candidates include Satenik Margaryan, Kasey Dudley, Nadeisha Greene, Jessica Salinas, Ellen Rogers and Thomas Heaney.

CONGRESS RACE

Bloomfield residents will get a chance to vote for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The township is split between two congressional districts:

• 10th District – Incumbent U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., who won the Democratic Party nomination in the primary election, and Jennifer Zinone, who captured the Republican Party nomination, are facing John Mirrione of the Libertarian Party and independent candidates Akil Khalfani and Khaliah Fitchette.
• 11th District – Incumbent U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, and challenger Rosemary Becchi, a Republican, recently matched up in a series of debates. Catch up with some of Patch’s coverage here.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS/CLERK

Residents of Bloomfield will also get a chance to pick members of the newly named Essex County Board of County Commissioners, formerly known as the “freeholders.” All nine seats on the board are up for grabs this year. Each term lasts three years.

In another county-level race, incumbent Christopher Durkin, the Democratic Party nominee, will defend his position as Essex County clerk against Kristina Christoforou, who earned the Republican Party nomination in the July primary election.

• See related article: Essex County 2020 Election Guide (What You Need To Know)

NATIONAL, STATE

Here’s a quick rundown of the choices that voters will be asked to make on a national, state and county level:

• Presidential race: Residents can either cast a write-in vote or choose, among the major parties, between Republican President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, or Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris. Also running are: Don Blankenship/William Mohr (Constitution Party); Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (Green); Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (Libertarian); Gloria La Riva/Sunil Freeman (Party for Socialism and Liberation); Roque De La Fuente/Darcy Richardson (The Alliance Party) and Bill Hammons/Eric Bodenstab (Unity Party).
• US Congress/Senate: One U.S. Senate seat will be contested: Incumbent Democrat Cory Booker will face several Republican, Green Party and independent challengers. All 12 of the state's congressional seats will be decided. New Jersey's delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives is split between 10 Democrats and two Republicans heading into Election Day. See congressional races on your local ballot here.
• Marijuana legalization/Ballot questions: Voters will decide whether to legalize the possession and use of marijuana. Voters will also decide whether to makes peacetime veterans eligible to receive the veterans' property tax deduction.

MORE ELECTION INFO

The last day to register to vote for the general election was Oct. 13. This year, every voter was mailed a ballot that they can fill out and mail back. Because of possible delays in U.S. Postal Service deliveries, election advocates advised people to send them back no later than Oct. 22. Mail-in ballots must bear a postmark on or before Nov. 3, or they won't be counted.

Essex County residents who are concerned about the security of their mail-in ballots may find some solace via a local "drop box" that has been put up for the 2020 general election. See a list of drop box locations in Essex County here.

A limited number of in-person polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. ADA-compliant machines will be available for those who need assistance. All other voters will be given a provisional ballot. Find your local polling place here.

For more coverage of the 2020 election in New Jersey, go here.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Bloomfield Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.