It’s an off year election, but one that the rest of the country will be watching. New Jersey is one of only two states this year holding gubernatorial contests.
Early in-person voting for the November 4, 2025 general election begins this Saturday, October 25 and ends on Sunday, November 2. Voting hours will be Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
On The Ballot
U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill and former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli are both looking to become New Jersey’s next governor. Sherrill, a Democrat from Montclair, and Ciattarelli, a Republican from Somerville, have participated in debates and campaigned up and down the state. The race remains close, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll released Thursday that has Sherrill ahead by five points.
U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, right, and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli during a gubernatorial debate at Rider University Sunday Sept. 20, 2025. (MATT KADOSH/MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Besides the big race, towns around Essex County have other important local races on the ballot. In Montclair, where the town’s school district is facing a massive deficit crisis, residents will choose three new school board members. Originally, five candidates were vying for three seats: incumbents Yvonne Bouknight, the board’s vice president, and Brian Fleischer; former board member Sean Long; and newcomers Milt Horowitz and Kerri McMahon. Fleischer has since dropped out of the race. A new candidate, Chrissy Thomas, is not on the ballot, but hopes to get write-in votes.
In other local races, Bloomfield is electing three school board members, a mayor and three at-large council members. West Orange has both a municipal election, seven candidates running for one councilor at large seat and a school board election where four candidates are running for two seats. And in Newark, five candidates are vying for the Central Ward City Council seat left vacant by LaMonica McIver when she resigned last fall to take her position in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Find the sample ballot for your town in Essex County here.)
Where to Vote Early
Early voting in West Orange. In-person early voting locations will be open Saturday Oct. 25 – Sunday, Nov. 2 Hours will be Monday -Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (FILE PHOTO)
Essex County residents can vote early and in-person at any of the following locations:
BLOOMFIELD
WATSESSING PARK COMMUNITY CENTER
BLOOMFIELD AVENUE
EAST ORANGE
EAST ORANGE CITY HALL
44 CITY HALL PLAZA
FAIRFIELD
FAIRFIELD COMMUNITY CENTER
221 HOLLYWOOD AVENUE
IRVINGTON
IRVINGTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING
1 CIVIC SQUARE WEST
MONTCLAIR
ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA PARISH
1 MUNN STREET
VERONA
VERONA COMMUNITY CENTER
880 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE
WEST ORANGE
BERSON FAMILY CENTER, SOUTH MOUNTAIN RECREATION COMPLEX
560 NORTHFIELD AVENUE
NEWARK
ESSEX COUNTY COMPLEX PARKING GARAGE
WEST MARKET STREET ENTRANCE
CHERRY BLOSSOM CENTER
BRANCH BROOK PARK
WEEQUAHIC PARK COMMUNITY CENTER
MEEKER AND ELIZABETH AVENUE ENTRANCE
WEST SIDE PARK COMMUNITY CENTER
600 SOUTH 17th STREET
Questions about voting? Check out our Voting Guide.
Essex Local Delivers — Sign up for Free!
From property taxes and flood risks to parks, schools, the arts and food, Essex County touches nearly every part of your life. But most people have no idea what’s really happening here. That’s where the Essex Local newsletter comes in — independent reporting that keeps you informed about county government and celebrates the culture and flavors that make Essex County unique.
Related
Before you comment on Montclair Local
Comments are moderated. Montclair Local reserves the right to delete or close comments on any story at any time. Please read our → Commenting Policy before commenting.
