Your handy breakdown of the state, county, municipal, and school board races for Tuesday’s general election.
By Matt Skoufalos | November 7, 2023
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
It’s Election Day, and voters across New Jersey will head to the polls (or post their mail-in ballots) to participate in the races that will determine their next state, county, local government, and school board leaders.
Polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide. After you vote, check back with NJ Pen for the results as they come in.
Scroll down for links to your local sample ballot, polling place finder, and our school board candidate profiles.
What’s at Stake
Highest on Tuesday’s ticket are the New Jersey state legislative contests, in which voters will choose their state senators and members of the General Assembly. Camden County voters will also elect two county commissioners as well as the members of their local Boards of Education.
Six communities in our coverage area — Audubon Park, Cherry Hill, Haddon Heights, Merchantville, Oaklyn, and Pennsauken — feature mayoral and council races. Three of those (Audubon Park, Merchantville, and Oaklyn) are uncontested on the ballot.
New Jersey State Senate & General Assembly Races
Trenton Capitol postcard. Credit: Boston Public Library: https://goo.gl/w1Glxn.
Fifth Legislative District
New Jersey’s Fifth Legislative District spans Camden and Gloucester Counties, representing voters in Audubon, Audubon Park, Barrington, Bellmawr, Brooklawn, Camden, Deptford, Gloucester City, Haddon Heights, Harrison Township, Lawnside, Magnolia, Mantua, Mount Ephraim, Runnemede, Wenonah, Westville, Woodbury, and Woodlynne.
In the 5th District State Senate race, incumbent Democratic State Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez faces Republican challenger Clyde Cook of Gloucester City and Independent Mohammad Kabir, who appears by petition.
In the 5th District General Assembly race, incumbent Democratic Assemblymen William F. Moen and William W. Spearman face Republican challengers Joe Miller of Audubon and Yalinda Pagan of Camden City.
Sixth Legislative District
New Jersey’s Sixth Legislative District spans Camden and Gloucester Counties, representing voters in Berlin Township, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Gibbsboro, Haddon Township, Haddonfield, Hi-Nella, Maple Shade, Merchantville, Oaklyn, Pennsauken, Somerdale, Stratford, Tavistock, and Voorhees.
In the 6th District State Senate race, incumbent Democrat James Beach faces Republican Mark Doogan of Voorhees.
In the 6th District General Assembly race, it’s incumbent Democratic Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald and Assembly Deputy Speaker Pamela Lampitt vying with Republicans Danielle M. Barry of Haddonfield and Brian McRory of Haddon Township for two seats on the legislative body.
Camden County Commissioners Race
Incumbent Democratic Commissioner-Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. and Commissioner Jonathan Young face off against Republican challengers Jason Fanning of Gloucester City and Norman C. Rebel, Jr. of Lindenwold for two seats on the county governing body.
Vote Here. Credit: Mrs. Gemstone: https://goo.gl/Ml696r
Local Races
In Audubon Park, Democrats Karen Lewis and Judith DiPasquale face no balloted opposition for two seats on the borough council.
In Cherry Hill, Democratic Council President David Fleischer faces off against Republican Nicole Nance in the race for township mayor.
Incumbent township council Democrats Jennifer Apell, Michele Golkow, and Brian Bauerle will defend their seats against Republicans David Lodge, Judy Giacoboni Russo, and Stephen T. Heath, Jr.
In Haddon Heights, incumbent Democratic mayor Zach Houck seeks re-election after his first term in office. He is challenged by Republican Jennifer Moore. Democrats Regina Philipps and Kathleen Harron will face Republicans Kevin Ehret and Denise Bolognese for two seats on the borough council.
In Merchantville, incumbent Democratic Councilmen Sean Fitzgerald and Andrew McLoone face no balloted challengers for their seats on the borough council.
In Oaklyn, incumbent Democratic mayor Greg Brandley and his fellow Democratic council members, Charles Lehman and Dorothy Valianti face no balloted challengers for their seats on the borough council.
In Pennsauken, Democrat Nicole Roberts is pursuing an unexpired term on the township council, for which she faces no balloted opposition. Her fellow Democrats, incumbent Mayor Vince Martinez and Deputy Mayor Patrick Olivo, seek to defend their seats from Independents Elizabeth LaVine, Jerry Bennett, and Cetswayho Byrd.
The classroom at Champion School in Haddon Township. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
School Board Races
In Audubon, incumbents Mark Gatti, Alison Lipsky, and Joe Miller vie with challenger Bill Wilson for three seats on the local Board of Education. Read our candidate profiles here.
In Cherry Hill, three seats are up for grabs among incumbents Miriam Stern, Ineda “Corrien” Elmore-Stratton, and Kimberly Gallagher and challengers John M. (Jack) Brangan, Renee Cherfane, Nicholas J. Gaudio, Jr., and Jennifer Sharman. Read our candidate profiles here.
In Collingswood, incumbents Roger Chu and Matthew Craig and challengers Nicole DeFeo, Danielle Loomis, Sarah Sherman, and Maggie Zmijewski. square off for three seats on the Board of Education. Read our candidate profiles here.
In Haddonfield, it’s incumbent Michael Nuckols and challengers Stephen Derkoski, Jessica Drass, and Nousheen Yousuf-Sadiq competing for three open seats on the borough school board. Read our candidate profiles here.
In Haddon Heights, incumbents Erin Miller, David Raetsch, and Mary Stewart Vena are running unopposed in their bids to retain their seats on the borough Board of Education, as is Bryan Schroeder, who is defending his unexpired term, also unopposed. Read our candidate profiles here.
In Haddon Township, incumbents Kellie Hinkle, John Kendall, and Isis Williams will seek to defend their seats against challenger Josh Kennedy. Read our candidate profiles here.
In Merchantville, incumbents Melanie Gaskins, Kristina Kroot, and Antisha Meisner are running unopposed for three open seats on the borough Board of Education. Read our candidate profiles here.
In Oaklyn, voters will choose from among four balloted candidates for four seats on the borough school board. . Incumbents Colleen Faupel, James McMillan, and Richard Taibi, face no balloted opposition, and neither does Jennifer Ritondo, who is running to retain her unexpired term on the governing body. Read our candidate profiles here.
In Pennsauken, incumbents Lisa Eckel, Orlando Viera, and Dontay White seek to defend their seats on the township Board of Education against challengers Jaclyn Hutton, Ana Matos, and Matthew McDevitt. Read our candidate profiles here.
Voter Information
- Not sure which is your polling place? Here’s how to find your polling place by address.
- Not sure if you’re registered to vote? This tool can help you determine if you’re ready to head to the booth.
- Polling place problem? Questions? Call the Board of Elections at 856-401-8683.
Sample Ballots
Audubon
Audubon Park
Cherry Hill
Collingswood
Haddon Heights
Haddonfield
Haddon Township
Merchantville
Oaklyn
Pennsauken
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