Verona-Cedar Grove 2025 Election Guide: Candidates, Deadlines, How To Vote

VERONA-CEDAR GROVE, NJ — A heated contest for governor between Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli is sure to bring many voters in Verona and Cedar Grove to the polls in November. But there will be plenty of other choices for local voters to make in the 2025 general election – including school board races and two statehouse seats.

The Essex County Clerk’s Office has released sample ballots for Verona and Cedar Grove, which can be seen here.

VERONA

Verona residents will cast ballots for three open seats on the township council. Terms last for four years. The candidates include: Paul Petrangeli, John Jack McEvoy, Elizabeth Hynes, Christopher Tamburro, and Cynthia Holland.

Two candidates are running unopposed for two open seats on the Verona Board of Education: Sarina Knoetig and Matthew Perna. Terms last for three years.

CEDAR GROVE

Two candidates are running unopposed for two open seats on the Cedar Grove Board of Education: Cienne S. Keegan and Paul Alban. Terms last for three years.

OTHER RACES

Here are some other races that voters in both towns 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, 40th DISTRICT (vote for two) – Candidates for New Jersey Assembly in the 40th district include Christopher P. DePhillips (Republican), Al Barlas (Republican), Ron Arnau (Democrat) and Jeffrey Gates (Democrat). 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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