Clark, Garwood Primary Election 2020: Who's Running, How To Vote

CLARK/GARWOOD, NJ — Tuesday's Primary Election in Clark includes voting for mayor and three uncontested At-Large Council seats while Garwood has two contested council seats for 2020.

Garwood

There are four Republican candidates (Anthony Goodell, Incumbent Richard McCormack, Joseph Nicastro, and Jesse Wilson) and two Democrats (Incumbent Russ Graham and Vincent Kearny) running for two open seats on the Garwood Borough Council.

Anthony Goodell, 42, is one of four Republican candidates running. Goodell has worked as a Field Superintendent for Barr & Barr for the past 20 years. He is married to his wife, Jenny, and has a son and daughter. He graduated from Union Catholic High School. Read More: Garwood Primary Election Profile: Anthony Goodell

Incumbent Russ Graham, 66, is one of two Democratic candidates running. Graham, who is retired, has served on the Borough council for the past 2 years. His family includes his wife Julie. Graham has an Associates Degree in Computer Science from Raritan Valley Community College. Read More: Garwood Primary Election Profile: Russ Graham

Vincent Kearney, 44, is one of two Democratic candidates running. Kearney has worked as a Union County Sheriff's Officer since 2016. He also was a prior law enforcement officer and 9-1-1 dispatcher from 1996 to 2016. Kearney is married to his wife, Veronica with twin boys Vincent and Anthony, both 7 years old. Read More: Garwood Primary Election Profile: Vincent Kearney

Richard McCormack, 59, is one of four Republican candidates running. Incumbent councilman McCormack has worked as a General Contractor for more than 40 years. He is married to his wife Kasie and has three daughters, and seven grandchildren. McCormack graduated from Brearley High School. Read More: Garwood Primary Election Profile: Richard McCormack

Clark

Incumbent current Clark Mayor Salvatore F. Bonaccorso is running unopposed for the mayoral seat.

There are three Democrats (Natalie M. Bassinski, Charles R. Bassinski, and John Victor Jacobson) and three Republicans ( Incumbent Angel Albanese, Incumbent Bill Smith, and Jimmy Minniti) running for three At-Large Council seats up for election in Clark.

Charles Bassinski, 41, is one of three Democratic candidates running. Bassinski currently works as an Auditor and Certified Public Accountant. His family includes his wife Natalie Bassinski and two kids ages 14 and 10. Bassinski has a Bachelor's in Accounting from Rowan University. Read More: Clark Primary Election Profile: Charles Bassinski

Jimmy Minniti, 51, is one of three Republican candidates running. Minniti has worked as a Licensed Financial Professional for more than 20 years. His family includes his wife Ana of 22 years, four children Gianna, Andrea, Jacqueline and Anthony, and three grandchildren Mallory, Clay and Everleigh. Minniti studied Criminal Justice at Union College. Read More: Clark Primary Election Profile: Jimmy Minniti

Bill Smith, 54, is one of three Republican candidates running. Incumbent Councilman-At-Large Smith currently works as President for JOMEL Industries, Inc. for the past 17 years. His family includes his wife Susan and two daughters Dominique and Gabriella. Smith has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University - Madison. Read More: Clark Primary Election Profile: Bill Smith

Note: Any candidate not listed above did not submit a profile to Patch.

If you are planning to vote in the primary, here's what you need to know about the process:

Where To Vote: In-Person

Polling locations have been decreased by fifty percent; and, therefore, election districts have been consolidated. They will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Clark

• Municipal Center, 430 Westfield Ave., Cafeteria - Wards 1,2,3,4

Garwood

• Lincoln School, 400 Second Ave., Cafeteria - Districts 1-4

Mailing Ballots

If you received a mail-in ballot because you are a registered Republican or a registered Democrat, here are the ways you can submit your vote:

• Mail it back, following the instructions on the ballot. It must be postmarked no later than 8 p.m. on July 7, 2020, to be counted in the election.
• Deliver your completed ballot in person to the Board of Elections in your county.
• In Mercer County, the Board of Elections is located at 640 South Broad Street in Trenton.

Vote-By-Mail Drop Boxes

You can also drop your completed ballot off in a secure ballot drop box. The drop boxes are under surveillance 24 hours a day, seven days a week and ballots will be picked up daily.

In Union County, drop boxes can be found in these locations:

• Smith County Courthouse, 102 Main Street, Springfield;
• Lincoln Library, 44 Elm Road, Elmville;
• Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth;
• Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford;
• Plainfield Municipal Building, 515 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield;
• Union Township Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Avenue, Union;
• Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield.

The deadline for dropping your ballot off in the drop boxes is 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

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