While the presidential election is foremost in many Americans’ minds, this November will also give voters the opportunity to participate in many down-ballot elections. It’s important to understand the significance of every race and the issues at stake before casting one’s ballot. Here are some of the elections most relevant to Stevens students and Hoboken residents, moving from the most local races to the national level.
Hudson County will be holding its election for county surrogate in the only county-level municipal election this year. County surrogate is an office that oversees the validation of wills, the appointment of will administrators, and administrative decisions related to guardianship. Incumbent Democrat Tilo Rivas will be challenged by Republican Juliana Lombard.
The congressional race for New Jersey’s 8th district, which includes Hoboken, will see Republican challenger Anthony Valdes face off against the heavily favored Rob Menendez Jr., the son of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. Menendez faced a competitive Democratic primary challenge from Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla amid his father’s battle with corruption charges and multiple indictments. Menendez Jr. ultimately won the nomination in June, weeks before his father was found guilty of corruption charges, including accepting bribes and working as a foreign agent, and resigned from the Senate.
The U.S. Senate race will thus feature two new faces. Andy Kim, Democratic congressman from New Jersey’s 3rd district, will be facing Curtis Bashaw, a hotel entrepreneur and preservationist who has been endorsed by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and defeated a Trump-endorsed rival. Although Democrats feared Bob Menendez’s corruption conviction would endanger the party’s hold on the seat, RealClearPolitics rates the race as “Likely Democratic.”
Lastly, of course, will be the race for president. Democratic nominee and incumbent U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will be facing Republican nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The vote will cap off a dramatic election year in which incumbent President Joe Biden withdrew as his party’s nominee after a disastrous debate showing against Trump.
A list of all races relevant to Hudson County Residents, from the top to the bottom of the ballot, can be found on the Hudson County Clerk’s website.
There are a number of ways to vote in Hudson County. Election Day is November 5, and in-person polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting will stretch from Saturday, October 26 through Sunday, November 3, during which voters can cast their ballots at early polling locations beginning at 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday and 8 p.m. on all other days. Lastly, votes will be accepted by mail until Election Day and must be received by the Hudson County Board of Elections within six days of the election.
The voter registration deadline is October 15. Residents can register online, by mail, or in person to be ready for Election Day on November 5.
