HACKENSACK—The County Clerk’s office on Nov. 17 released updated election results for two well-known write-in candidates for mayor in Hillsdale and a seat on the Park Ridge Board of Education.
Neither showing changed an election outcome. Vote totals were to be certified by the clerk’s office on Nov. 22, after our press deadline. Readers can check the county clerk’s website at bergencountyclerk.gov/Election for official vote results.
In Hillsdale’s mayoral contest, write-in candidate Zoltán Horváth grabbed 78 of the total 83 write-in votes cast, or about 3% of total votes cast. That result was confirmed by county Elections Division supervisor Sabrina Taranto on Nov. 20.
Democratic newcomer Michael Sheinfield surprised incumbent Republican Anthony DeRosa on Nov. 7 to take the mayoral gavel, winning 1,501 votes to 1,414 votes, respectively.
In Park Ridge’s school board race, candidate Lori Fredrics tallied 427 write-in votes, according to Taranto.
A Pascack Press review of write-in results provided Nov. 17 estimated 430 votes. However, there were nearly 14 spelling variations—and misspellings—of Fredrics last and first names on the write-in ballots.
Fredrics had estimated early on Nov. 8 that she appeared to receive 486 of a total 496 votes. However, those numbers were not confirmed.
Some write-in votes for Fredrics only included a first name or a last name. And many misspellings, too.
Taranto told Pascack Press, “Misspellings are counted. It goes by voter intent. Votes that do not include a first and last name are not counted. The three variations of just her last name used do not count.”
It appeared Fredrics got approximately 10% of the total vote, coming in fourth.
The three on-ballot candidates for three open seats, Rachelle Browne (1,488 votes), Natalie Agoos (1,397 votes), and Robert Fisher Jr. (1,370 votes) will be seated on Jan. 1, 2024.