West Orange 2023 Election Guide: See Candidates, Learn How To Vote

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The 2023 general election is just around the bend, and there will be plenty of choices for local residents to make when they head to the polls on Nov. 7. Here’s what you need to know about voting if you live in West Orange.

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LOCAL RACES: SCHOOL BOARD

In West Orange, voters will get to cast ballots for the local board of education. There are two candidates running for one open seat on the board (the term lasts for three years). School board members are non-partisan and unpaid.

The candidates are incumbent Melinda Huerta and challenger Maria Vera-Diaz. See Related: Watch West Orange School Board Candidate Debate (2023 Election)

COUNTY RACES: COMMISSIONERS, SURROGATE

West Orange 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, West Orange residents will get to vote for a commissioner board member in the county's 4th District. The Democratic Party candidate is incumbent Leonard Luciano. The Republican Party challenger is Adam Kraemer.

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)

West Orange voters will get to cast ballots for Senate and Assembly candidates in the 27th District.

In the Senate, Michael Byrne (Republican) will match up against John McKeon (Democrat). Terms last for four years.

Meanwhile, a pair of two-year terms are up for grabs in the Assembly. Irene DeVita and Michael Mecca Jr. are on the ballot for the Republican Party. Alixon Collazos-Gill and Rosy Bagolie 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 Bloomfield. 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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