Politics & Government

Important Voter Deadline In Bloomfield Arrives Tuesday

Planning to vote in the primary election? Here's what to know ahead of Tuesday's deadline in Bloomfield.

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Residents of Bloomfield have until Tuesday, May 20 to register to vote in New Jersey’s 2025 primary election.

Voters in the three towns will join others across New Jersey on June 10 when they head to the polls for this year’s primary. Democratic and Republican candidates will compete for their party’s nomination. The winners of the primary will face off again in the general election on Nov. 4, which will also include third-party and independent candidates.

The voter registration deadline for this year’s primary election is May 20. Check your registration status or register online here.

Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

According to the Essex County Board of Elections, voters in New Jersey must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a United States Citizen
  • Be at least 18 years old by the next election
  • Be a resident of your home county for 30 days before the election

Learn more about voter registration in Essex County here or via the following video (article continues below):

Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Essex County Clerk’s Office recently released sample ballots for each town and city.

In Bloomfield, incumbent mayor Jenny Mundell is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Meanwhile, several Democratic candidates are running for at-large seats on the Bloomfield Town Council. They include (vote for three): Satenik Margaryan, Tracy Toler-Phillips, Monica Charris Tabares, Jill Fischman, and Widney Polynice.

There is also a race for an unexpired council term in the 1st Ward, where two Democrats are competing for one seat: Rosalee Gonzalez, and Stefanie Santiago.

No Republicans filed to run in the primary races for Bloomfield mayor or town council.

Bloomfield voters will also get to cast ballots for governor and two state Assembly members in the 34th district, as well as county clerk (both candidates are running unopposed).

GOVERNOR

  • DEMOCRATS (vote for one) – Josh Gottheimer, Steven Fulop, Steve Sweeney, Sean Spiller, Ras Baraka, Mikie Sherrill
  • REPUBLICANS (vote for one) – Mario Kranjac, Jon Bramnick, Jack Ciattarelli, Justin Barbera, Bill Spadea

NJ ASSEMBLY, 34th DISTRICT

  • DEMOCRATS (vote for two) – Carmen Morales, Michael Venezia, Frank Velez, Brittany Claybrooks
  • REPUBLICANS (vote for two) – Demetrius Eley, Lorenzo Marchese Jr.

ESSEX COUNTY CLERK

  • DEMOCRATS (vote for one) – Christopher Durkin
  • REPUBLICANS (vote for one) – Maritza Mathews

Early voting for the primary election will take place from June 3 to June 8 in Essex County. Voting hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. >> See Early Voting Locations In Essex County For 2025 Primary Election

Voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot by filling out an application and returning it no later than June 3. Secure drop-boxes are located throughout Essex County (see a list here). Learn more about voting by mail in Essex County here.

PRIMARY ELECTION IN NEW JERSEY

There were 2,449,526 registered Democrats, 1,621,669 Republicans and 75,113 voters registered with a third-party in New Jersey as of May 1, according to data from the state division of elections.

The Garden State also has a whopping 2,418,977 unaffiliated voters who could turn the tide for the Democratic or Republican candidates.

“Since independents are able to change their registration to vote in the primaries or declare their party at the polls in-person, they can still play an important role in the upcoming election,” said Ashley Koning, an assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

“The reality is, if more independents were aware and declared a party, it could potentially change the game for many of the primary candidates – particularly on the Democratic side,” Koning said.

A recent Rutgers-Eagleton poll found that former state assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli was leading the pack in the Republican Party race at 42 percent. Former radio host Bill Spadea came in second at 12 precent. Four percent of Republicans said they prefer state Sen. Jon Bramnick, 3 percent chose Justin Barbera, and none chose Mario Kranjac.

Ciattarelli picked up a big endorsement from President Donald Trump this week, which gives him a major boost headed into the primary election. Read More: Trump Endorses Republican Candidate In NJ Governor Race

Meanwhile, several of the Democratic candidates were neck-and-neck, pollsters found:

“Seventeen percent of registered Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents prefer U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, followed by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop at 12% – a difference within the margin of error. Next is New Jersey Education Association president Sean Spiller at 10%, followed by U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka each at 9%, and then former state Senate President Steve Sweeney at 7%.”

Although the stakes are high – as of April – many voters in New Jersey remained unaware that an election is taking place on June 10, the latest Rutgers-Eagleton poll found.

“Any election not held during a presidential year or not in November has historically seen lower turnout due to less awareness, less interest and less engagement,” Koning said.

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