2026 Elections In Verona-Cedar Grove: School Board, Town Council, Congress, County Races

VERONA-CEDAR GROVE, NJ — The 2026 general election is fast approaching, and residents of Verona and Cedar Grove have plenty of choices to make.

The Essex County Clerk’s Office recently released sample ballots for Verona and Cedar Grove, which can be seen here.

Here are some local choices that voters in each town will face in the upcoming election:

• Verona School Board - There is one full term available on the Verona Board of Education with two candidates: Daniel Frenklakh, and Michael Boone. There is also an unexpired term available with three candidates: Anthony Deo, Diana Ferrera, and Robert Goman.
• Verona Town Council - A seat on the Verona Town Council is available. The candidates are Jason Woods, Katherine Hartwyk, Jacqeline "Jackie" Rosa, and Corey Schor.
• Cedar Grove Board of Education - There is one seat available on the Cedar Grove Board of Education. Paul Palek Jr. is running unopposed.

Here are some other races that local voters will be asked to cast ballots for in the midterm election:

• U.S. Senator – A U.S. Senate seat is open in New Jersey. The candidates are Justin Murphy (Republican), Cory Booker (Democrat), Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party), and Veronica Fernandez (Independent).
• U.S. House of Representatives (10^th District) – Verona is located in the state's 10th congressional district. The candidates are Carmen Bucco (Republican) and LaMonica McIver (Democrat).
• U.S. House of Representatives (11^th District) – Cedar Grove is located in the state's 11th congressional district. The candidates are Joe Hathaway (Republican), Analilia Mejia (Democrat), and Alan Bond (Independent).
• Essex County Executive – The candidates for Essex County executive are Maritza Mathews (Republican) and Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. (Democrat).
• Essex County Board of Commissioners (At-Large) – There are four at-large seats available on the Essex County Board of Commissioners. The Republican candidates are: Demetrius Eley, Daniela Ferreira Almeida, Douglas Freeman, and Sahwa DeFrank. The Democratic candidates are: Christine McGrath, Abdur Yasin, Deborah Engel, and Wayne Richardson. There is also an independent candidate: Wynnie-Fred Victor Hinds.

• Essex County Board of Commissioners (4^th District) – There is also a county commissioner seat up for grabs in the 4^th district, which includes Verona and Cedar Grove. The candidates are Adam Kraemer (Republican) and Leonard Luciano (Democrat).

HOW TO VOTE

The voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 13. Learn more about voting in New Jersey here.

There are three ways to vote in the 2026 general election:

Vote By Mail – The last day to apply by mail for a Vote-By-Mail Ballot is Oct. 27. Voters can also apply in person to the clerk's office on any day up to 3 p.m. the day before an election. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before 8 p.m. on Election Day. See a list of secure drop boxes in Essex County here. Learn more about the voting by mail process here. RELATED: Vote-By-Mail Update Issued In Essex County After Supreme Court Ruling

Early In-Person Voting – Early in-person voting will begin Oct. 24 and run through Nov. 1. Voting hours will take place 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 voting locations in Essex County here.

Election Day – Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, which takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Find your local polling place here.

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