South Orange 2025 Election Guide: Candidates, Deadlines, How To Vote

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — A heated contest for governor between Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli is sure to bring many South Orange 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 public question and a school board race.

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

BOARD OF EDUCATION - There are six candidates competing for three open seats on the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education, which covers both towns. Terms last for three years. The candidates are: Malini Nayar, Paul Stephan, Meredith Higgins, Daniel Caplan, Ashley Donahue, and Ashwat Rishi.

VILLAGE COUNCIL - Three candidates are running unopposed for the three available seats on the South Orange Village Council. Terms last for four years. The candidates are: Patricia Canning, William A. Haskins, and Hannah Zollman.

PUBLIC QUESTION - South Orange residents will be asked to vote "yes" or "no" on a public question. If approved, the measure would increase the Open Space and Historic Preservation Trust Fund from $0.01 to $0.02 per $100 of assessed property value to provide additional funding for the acquisition, improvement, and maintenance of parks, open spaces, conservation lands and historic preservation.

Here are some other races that South Orange 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, 28th DISTRICT (vote for two) – There are two Democratic candidates running unopposed for a state assembly seat in the 28th district: Cleopatra G. Tucker, and Chigozie Onyema. No Republicans filed to run. Terms last for two years.

ESSEX COUNTY CLERK – Local voters will also 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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