EMERSON—The borough emerged as a standout in the Nov. 5 presidential election, leading Bergen County in voter turnout with 74.87% of registered voters casting ballots, according to unofficial results from the Bergen County Clerk’s Office. The borough’s civic engagement surpassed all other towns in the Pascack Valley, where turnout percentages were among the highest in the county.
Voter participation across the Pascack Valley mirrored a national divide. While six of the region’s 10 towns supported President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, three—Westwood, Woodcliff Lake, and Oradell—backed Kamala D. Harris and running mate Tim Walz. Hillsdale delivered the closest contest, with Harris edging out Trump by just 39 votes.
Despite the split, Emerson not only topped the area in turnout but also helped give Trump a decisive win, with 2,397 votes compared to Harris’s 1,861.
Mayor Danielle DiPaola, a Republican, attributed Emerson’s high voter participation to the borough’s focus on keeping residents informed and engaged.
“Keeping our voters engaged through transparent leadership is a top priority of my administration,” said DiPaola. “A well-informed electorate consistently makes strong decisions that drive progress and keep Emerson moving forward. In short, an informed electorate knows to get to the polls to protect their best interests.”
This sentiment was echoed by Township of Washington Mayor Peter Calamari, also a Republican, whose town also posted strong turnout at 74.08%. He emphasized the importance of participation, regardless of voters’ preferences.
“I can’t speculate what makes voters choose for whom they vote. It’s a personal decision that everyone makes based on their own criteria,” said Calamari. “Regarding the turnout, I am thrilled that so many voters let their voices be heard. Choosing who you want to represent you in government at all levels is one of the many rights that make our country great.”
Turnout Rankings Across the Pascack Valley
Emerson led the turnout rankings, with the Township of Washington close behind. In descending order, here’s how our towns compared in participation:
- Emerson: 74.87% (4,362 of 5,826 voters)
- Township of Washington: 74.08% (5,768 of 7,786 voters)
- Park Ridge: 72.91% (5,437 of 7,457 voters)
- Oradell: 72.79% (4,850 of 6,663 voters)
- River Vale: 72.59% (6,397 of 8,812 voters)
- Hillsdale: 72.21% (6,263 of 8,673 voters)
- Westwood: 71.96% (6,258 of 8,697 voters)
- Woodcliff Lake: 71.73% (3,679 of 5,129 voters)
- Montvale: 68.79% (5,118 of 7,440 voters)
- Old Tappan: 67.54% (3,402 of 5,037 voters)
Regional Voting Trends
Trump’s strongest showing came in the Township of Washington, where he secured 3,317 votes to Harris’s 2,300. Harris achieved her largest margin in Westwood, with 3,246 votes to Trump’s 2,862.
Adding Oradell and Old Tappan to the Pascack Valley analysis, Trump carried six of the 10 towns. Harris found support in Westwood, Woodcliff Lake, and Oradell, with Hillsdale narrowly tipping in her favor.