Maplewood 2022 Election Guide: Candidates, How To Vote

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — With some residents voting by mail, the 2022 general election has already begun. In-person voting on Nov. 8 extends until 8 p.m. Here’s what you need to know about voting for candidates in Maplewood, countywide, and for U.S. representative.

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THE BALLOT

Township Committee: Deborah Engel is the Democratic nominee to run for one open seat on the Maplewood Township Committee on Nov. 8. She faced no Republican opposition as of the primary in the summer. In Maplewood's form of government, each year, the five members of

Maplewood's committee choose a mayor from among themselves. Outgoing Mayor Frank McGehee decided this year not to run for committee again, leaving a seat up for election in November.

South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education: The candidates are: Regina Eckert of Maplewood, William Gifford III of Maplewood, William Meyer of South Orange, Ritu Pancholy of South Orange, and Nubia DuVall-Wilson of South Orange. Voters can choose three of them for the open seats on the nine-member board.

Essex County Executive: On the county level, voters will choose a candidate for Essex County executive. Both candidates ran unopposed in the primary election: incumbent Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. (Democrat) and Adam Kraemer (Republican). Read more: Kraemer Says He Is Ready To Take On DiVincenzo In Essex County

11th Congressional District: Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill is facing challenges from Republican nominee Paul DeGroot and Joseph Biasco of the Libertarian Party. Read more about that and watch the debate videos here.

The recently redrawn 11th District includes, in Essex County, Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, and West Caldwell.

HOW TO VOTE

Election Day takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 8. There are three ways to turn in your ballot for the 2022 general election in New Jersey.

Vote By Mail – Every active registered voter is eligible to request a vote-by-mail ballot. If you would like to receive your ballot by mail, you must request your ballot not less than seven
days before an election. Otherwise, you must get your vote-by-mail ballot in-person from your county clerk by 3 p.m. the day before Election Day (learn how to do this in Essex County here). Voters have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to return their ballot to the Board of Elections in person, or deposit it in one of their county’s authorized ballot drop boxes (see a list of drop box locations in Essex County here). You can also mail your ballot; it must be postmarked on or before 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Vote In-Person (Early) – New Jersey passed a law in 2021 that allows residents to vote early during a nine-day period before Election Day. For the 2022 general election, the early voting period takes place from Oct. 29 to Nov. 6. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday). In Essex County, early voting locations are in the following municipalities: Bloomfield, East Orange, Fairfield, Irvington, Verona, West Orange and Newark (see a full list and addresses here).

Vote In-Person (on Election Day) – The 2022 general election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling place here.

See sample ballots from the Essex County Clerk’s Office here. Learn more about voting in New Jersey here.

Editor Eric Kiefer contributed to this story.