Newark Election: Who Is On The Ballot In 2023?

NEWARK, NJ — There will be plenty of choices for Newark residents to make when they head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7 for the 2023 general election.

Here’s what you need to know about voting if you live in Newark.

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LOCAL RACES: NONE

While many towns and cities are holding school board elections this November, Newark held its own local school election earlier this year.

In April, eight candidates ran for three seats on the board. Meanwhile, voters also got a chance to cast a “yes” or “no” ballot for the proposed Newark Public School District budget.

• See Related: 2023 Newark School Election Results For Board Of Education, Budget

COUNTY RACES: COMMISSIONERS, SURROGATE

Newark voters will get to choose candidates for the Essex County Board of Commissioners. Terms last for three years. Learn more about the duties and powers of the board here.

Four at-large seats on the board are up for grabs in 2023. The Democratic Party candidates are incumbents Patricia Sebold, Brendan Gill, Romaine Graham and Wayne Richardson. The Republican Party candidates are challengers Joseph Cifelli, Alexandra Campisi, Aristotle Popolizio and Michael Pocelinko.

In addition, Newark residents will get to vote for a commissioner board member in three districts. Robert Mercado (Democrat) is running unopposed in the 1st District. A'Dorian Murray-Thomas (Democrat) is running against Khalil Kettles (Independent) in the 2nd District. Tyshammie Cooper is running unopposed in the 3rd District.

Essex County residents will also get to vote for a county surrogate. Learn more about the duties and powers of the surrogate's office here. The Democratic Party candidate is incumbent Alturrick Kenney. The Republican Party candidate is challenger Peter Russo.

• See Related: Essex County Commissioner, Surrogate (2023 Primary Election Results)

STATE RACES: SENATE, ASSEMBLY

This is the first general election that will be conducted using the 2023 Legislative district map that was approved last year as part of mandatory redistricting every decade. The effort shuffled some towns around, putting them in different districts – with new elected representatives in the Statehouse. Read More: NJ's Electoral Maps Will Be Redrawn (Here’s What That Means)

Newark is split between two Legislative districts: the 28th and the 29th.

In the 28th District, incumbent Renee Burgess (Democrat) is running unopposed for a four-year term in the Senate. Meanwhile, a pair of two-year terms are up for grabs in the Assembly. Joy Freeman and Willie Jetti are on the ballot for the Republican Party. Incumbent Cleopatra Tucker and Garnet Hall are running on the Democratic Party ticket.

In the 29th District, incumbent M. Teresa Ruiz (Democrat) is facing a challenge from Maritza Mathews (Republican) and Pablo Olivera (Labour Party). A pair of two-year terms are also up for grabs in the Assembly's 29th District. Noble Minton and Orlando Mendez are on the ballot for the Republican Party. Incumbents Eliana Pintor Marin and Shanique Speight are running on the Democratic Party ticket.

• See Related: Republicans Will Get 'Line A' In Essex County For 2023 Election
• See Related: Dems Outnumber GOP In Essex County By Wide Margin

HOW TO VOTE

Election Day takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 7. The deadline to register for the election was Oct. 17.

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

There are three ways to turn in your ballot for the 2023 general election:

Vote In-Person (on Election Day) – Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your local polling place here.

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 2023 general election, the early voting period takes place from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. See a list of early polling locations in Essex County here.

Vote By Mail – As an Essex County resident, you can apply for a mail-in ballot if you are a qualified and registered voter by written application to the Essex County Clerk's Office. The deadline for such requests are seven days prior to any and all elections (Primary, General, Municipal, School, etc.). Voters can also apply in person to the clerk's office, or by authorized messenger, on any day up to 3 p.m. the day before an election. Learn more about voting by mail in Essex County here. See locations of ballot box drop locations in Essex County here.

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