Montclair 2025 Election Guide: Candidates, Deadlines, How To Vote

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A heated contest for governor between Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli is sure to bring many Montclair voters to the polls in November. But there will be plenty of other choices for local voters to make in the 2025 general election – including a race for the Montclair Board of Education.

The Essex County Clerk’s Office has released sample ballots for Montclair, which can be seen here.

There are five candidates competing for three open seats on the Montclair Board of Education. Terms last for three years. The candidates and their slogans are:

• Kerri McMahon - "Stronger Schools Now"
• Milt Horowitz - "Paradigm Shift"
• Yvonne W. Bouknight - "Access. Achieve. Advance."
• Sean L. Long - "Champion Student Achievement"
• Brian Fleischer - N/A

Here are some other races that Montclair voters will be asked to cast ballots for:

NJ GOVERNOR – Candidates for New Jersey governor include Jack Ciattarelli (Republican), Mikie Sherrill (Democrat), Vic Kaplan (Libertarian Party) and Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party). Candidates running write-in campaigns include Lily Benavides (Green Party) and Darrell Armstrong (independent). The term lasts for four years.

NJ ASSEMBLY, 27th DISTRICT (vote for two) – Candidates for New Jersey Assembly in the 27th district include Robert Iommazzo (Republican), Adam Kraemer (Republican), Rosy Bagolie (Democrat) and Alixon Collazos-Gill (Democrat). Terms last for two years.

ESSEX COUNTY CLERK – Montclair voters will get to cast a ballot in the race for Essex County Clerk. The candidates are Martitza Mathews (Republican) and Christopher J. Durkin (Democrat). The term lasts for five years.

HOW TO VOTE

The voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 14. Check to see if you’re registered here, and register to vote here.

There are three ways to vote in the 2025 general election in New Jersey. Here’s what options are available for Essex County residents, according to the clerk’s office:

Vote By Mail – The last day to apply by mail for a Vote-By-Mail Ballot is Oct. 28. Voters can also apply in person to the clerk's office on any day up to 3 p.m. the day before an election. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before 8 p.m. on Election Day. See a list of secure drop boxes in Essex County here. Learn more about the voting by mail process in Essex County here.

Early Voting – Early in-person voting for 2025 general election will take place from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2. Early voting hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. See a list of early voting locations in Essex County here.

Election Day – Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, which takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Find your local polling place here.

See the Essex County Clerk’s 2025 guide to voting here. Find out how to become a poll worker in Essex County here. Watch a video that shows how to vote in Essex County here (English and Spanish versions available). Learn more about voting in New Jersey here.

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