Election Day 2023 In Wayne: Who's On The Ballot, Where To Vote

WAYNE, NJ — This November, Wayne Township voters will decide on candidates at the township, school, county, and state level. Early voting begins on Saturday, Oct. 28 and mail-in ballots can be requested up to seven days before the Nov. 7 election.

Below, you'll find a candidate list for races in Wayne, Passaic County, and New Jersey's 40th legislative district, as well as information on voting.

Patch sent out questions to all local candidates seeking office; those who have replied have their candidate profiles linked below.

Who's on the ballot?

Note: The Democratic ticket will be in the "A" position on the ballot, and listed first for all party-affiliated races on the ballot.

Wayne Township council: There are contested races coming up in four wards, where incumbents are seeking to hold their spots.

Wayne’s nine-member council has six members elected to specifically represent neighbors in a section of the township (or “ward”), and three members elected at-large to serve the whole town. Right now, there are eight Republican members and one Democrat. Mayor Chris P. Vergano, a Republican, is in his fourth term.

Here are the candidates (voters will choose one, based on where they live):

• Ward 1: Incumbent Republican Richard Jasterzbski faces Democratic challenger Arlene Sullivan.
• Ward 4: Incumbent Republican Joseph Scuralli faces Democratic challenger Mercedes Aguirre, a write-in candidate.
• Ward 5: Incumbent Democrat Francine Ritter faces Republican challenger Matthew Cavallo, the Wayne First Aid and Safety Commissioner and a volunteer firefighter.
• Ward 6: Incumbent Republican Jonathan Ettman faces Democratic challenger Peter Rosky.

The two remaining Republican candidates, incumbent Al Sadowski in Ward 2 and Michael Fattal in Ward 3, are running unopposed.

Wayne Schools Board of Education: There are contested races for three spots, and voters will choose three candidates.

In Wayne, three of nine board members have terms expiring in 2023: Board President Donald Pavlak Jr., Sean Duffy, and Catherine Kazan. Pavlak is the only Wayne Township incumbent who filed a petition with the Passaic County Clerk's Elections Division, the county candidate list shows.

Here are the candidates, in order of appearance on the ballot (voters will choose three)

• Ehab Husein: "For Kids Sake"
• Wendy Limandri: "Children First" (jointly-filed candidate)
• Mark Faber: "Children First" (jointly-filed candidate)
• Donald Pavlak (incumbent): "Empower, Educate, Elevate"
• Suzanne Pudup: "United For Wayne"

County offices: The county clerk's office and two commissioner seats are on the ballot, as well, for Wayne voters:

County clerk (vote for one)

• Danielle Ireland-Imhof (D, incumbent)
• Rosemary Pino (R)

County commissioner (vote for two)

• Bruce James (D-incumbent)
• Andrena "Andie" Pegel (R)
• Orlando Cruz (D-incumbent)
• Kelly Amico (R)

State legislature:

All 40 of New Jersey’s legislative districts also have elections this year for state Senate and General Assembly seats.

Wayne is in the 40th legislative district, including a handful of municipalities in Bergen and Passaic counties, and several in Essex County. It is currently represented by all Republicans in the state legislature: senator Kristin Corrado (Totowa) and assembly members Kevin Rooney and Christopher DePhillips, both of Wyckoff. Rooney announced his retirement last November.

Here are the candidates:

Member of the State Senate (vote for one)

• Jennifer Ehrentraut (D)
• Kristin M. Corrado (R-incumbent)

Member of the State Assembly (vote for two)

• Giovanna Irizarry (D)
• Christopher P. DePhillips (R-incumbent)
• Jennifer Marrinan (D)
• Al Barlas (R)

Early voting and mail-in voting

In-person early voting for the general election will be Oct. 28 through Nov. 5. Hours will be Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.to 6 p.m.

The Wayne location for early voting is Wayne Main Library, at 461 Valley Road.

Mail-in ballots are available by requesting one from the county clerk's office by mail up to 7 days before the election. You can also request a mail-in ballot in person at the Passaic County clerk's office until 3:00 p.m. on the day before the election.

For those voting by mail-in ballot, Wayne's secure ballot drop-off locations are:

• Wayne municipal building-by the walkway to the main entrance (475 Valley Road, Wayne 07470)
• William Paterson University, Lot 5-NJ Transit Bus Stop (300 Pompton Road, Wayne 07470).

All locations are open 24 hours a day, and until 8 p.m. on Election Day unless noted.

Those voting by mail can drop off their ballot at one of the county’s other secure ballot drop box locations, or return it to the Passaic Co. Board of Elections Office (401 Grand St #123, Paterson, NJ 07505).

Election Day information

Polls are open on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To check your registration status or see where your polling place is, click here.