PASCACK VALLEY AREA, N.J. — Thousands of registered Democratic and Republican voters have already returned their vote-by-mail ballots ahead of the Tuesday, June 10 primary election. Many more are expected to vote early from June 3–8 at one of nine early voting locations countywide, officials tell Pascack Press.
County elections officials said all registered voters should have received an official sample ballot by mail at least a week before the primary election.
This year’s ballots lay out party candidates in a block-style format—a change instituted after Democratic Senate candidate Andy Kim legally challenged the prior “county line” layout as unfair last year and won. Both Democratic and Republican candidates now appear in this block format.
If a voter did not receive a sample ballot, they are urged to contact the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections, Debra Francica, at (201) 336-6121, or the county Board of Elections.
Sample ballots list early voting locations and hours and outline the four-step process to cast a vote using the county’s digital voting machines. Instructional videos are also available online via the county clerk’s website.
At the top of the ballot, voters will choose their party’s nominee for New Jersey governor. Six Democratic candidates and five Republican candidates are vying for their respective nominations.
Unaffiliated voters may declare a party affiliation at their polling place during early voting or on Election Day, June 10, in order to vote in the primary. They may return to unaffiliated status after voting if they wish, officials said.
Richard Miller, chair of the Bergen County Board of Elections, told us, “We’re getting all set up for the early voting, which begins June 3 at nine locations throughout Bergen County. The primary is a little more contested (for governor), so I think you’ll see a higher percentage of voters during this primary, and early voting,” he said.
Miller said that 57,882 vote-by-mail ballots were sent out for the primary. As of May 27, 18,171 ballots—about 31 percent—had been returned. He anticipated up to 10,000 more arriving by the 8 p.m. deadline on June 10.
He said vote-by-mail ballots would be opened on June 7 and 8, with counting set to begin on June 9 and 10. Results will not be released until after 8 p.m. on Election Night.
Also on June 10, 66 election officials—33 Democrats and 33 Republicans—will monitor final ballot pickups from 33 drop boxes at 8 p.m., after which the boxes will be sealed.
Miller added that more than 400 high school students have been trained and hired as poll workers. Students will work in eight-hour shifts—some from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., and others from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
GOVERNOR’S RACE
Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is term-limited after completing two terms. Democratic voters will choose among six candidates, and Republican voters will choose among five candidates to replace him.
Democratic candidates:
- Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5)
- Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka
- Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop
- Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11)
- NJEA President Sean Spiller
- Former State Senate President Steve Sweeney
Republican candidates:
- State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-21)
- Former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario M. Kranjac
- Former radio host Bill Spadea
- Justin Barbera, former third-party U.S. Senate candidate
- Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who ran for governor in 2021
ONE CONTESTED MUNICIPAL RACE: HILLSDALE
In the Pascack Valley, most municipal primary election races are uncontested, with both parties fielding candidates for open seats. However, Hillsdale Republicans face a three-way contest for two council nominations:
- Anthony DeRosa, former councilman
- Louis A. Casale and Steven B. Riordan, endorsed by the Bergen County Republican Organization
Democrats Christopher C. Camp and Gabriella A. Ianni are running uncontested and will face the Republican nominees in the general election.
CONTESTED LEGISLATIVE AND COUNTY RACES
Voters in Bergen County will also weigh in on competitive races in the 39th Legislative District and for seats on the Bergen County Board of Commissioners.
39th District Assembly – Democratic Primary:
- Andrew LaBruno and David Chiang (Democrats for Change)
- Damon Englese and Donna Abene (Democratic Committee of Bergen County)
39th District Assembly – Republican Primary:
- Assemblyman Robert Auth and Assemblyman John Azzariti Jr. (incumbents)
- Frank Pallotta (Bergen County Republicans)
Bergen County Commissioner – Democratic Primary:
- Thomas Sullivan, Mary Amoroso, and Germaine Ortiz (incumbents, Democratic Committee of Bergen County)
- Chris Chung, John Vitale, and Dolores Witko (Bergen County Democrats for Change)
Bergen County Commissioner – Republican Primary:
- Jeffrey “Jay” Costa Jr., John Dinice, and Andrea Slowikowski (endorsed candidates)
- Linda Barba and Armen Azarnia (Bergen County Republicans)
EARLY VOTING IN THE PASCACK VALLEY
Officials remind voters to bring their sample ballots to expedite check-in during early voting or on Election Day.
Two early voting sites are located in the Pascack Valley area:
- River Vale Community Center, 628 Rivervale Road, River Vale
- Woodcliff Lake Tice Senior Center, 411 Chestnut Ridge Road, Woodcliff Lake