Hoboken Council Runoff Election Tuesday: Why It Matters, Where To Vote

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken voters will decide on Tuesday (and only Tuesday) who will be the new councilman for the south waterfront section of the city. The position is significant, as it will affect the balance of the voting on the nine-member Hoboken City Council.

Three candidates ran for the 1st Ward council seat in November, and the two top vote-getters are in a runoff.

After the ballots were tallied last month, 69 votes separated the frontrunner, Paul Presinzano, from runner-up Rafi Cordova.

Both men vie Tuesday for the job, which pays $35,000 a year. Incumbent Councilman Michael DeFusco decided not to run again.

The election is significant, because four current members of the council have shown independence (or negativity, depending on whom one asks) in many of their votes on the mayor's initiatives.

Candidate Rafi Cordova, who is the unpaid chair of the city's Rent Stabilization Board, is backed by the mayor.

His opponent, past candidate Paul Presinzano, is often critical of the mayor.

They're running to represent one of six wards in Hoboken. There are also three council-at-large spots on the council, representing the whole town. Those three seats will be up again in 2025, when the mayor's seat is also up.

Voter Information

Not sure if you live in the 1st Ward? See the green section of this map.

Polls are open this Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. See where to vote.

See two recent stories about the race here:

• Accusations And Endorsements In Hoboken Council Race
• Candidates In 1st Ward Race Trade Accusations

See letters written about the election here on Hoboken Patch and come back to that spot on Tuesday after 8 p.m. for a story on the vote totals as they come in.

Post your own letters using these instructions.

• Read Rafi Cordova's bio and Q&A on Patch.

• Read Paul Presinzano's bio and Q&A on Patch.