If you vote at an in-person polling location on November 3, your vote won’t be counted until at least November 10—the last day that election officials can accept mail that’s postmarked by Election Day. {What?!} But don’t fear: this is because New Jersey is conducting a primarily vote-by-mail election this year. No matter what: your vote counts.
But it’s important to know how New Jersey elections are changing this year amid the coronavirus pandemic and what the provisional ballot provided day-of means.
In response to growing concerns about in-person voting amid the Covid-19 pandemic, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order on August 14 that required election officials to send a mail-in ballot to every active registered voter in the state. “COVID-19 has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, from our health and safety to how we participate in our democracy,” said Murphy. “This virus continues to threaten public health, and with today’s announcement, we are ensuring that New Jersey voters do not have to make a decision between exercising their right to vote and protecting their well-being.”
Read More: How to Vote in the 2020 Presidential Election in Hudson County: The Options
Murphy’s executive order requires at least one physical polling location in each of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities. For Hudson County, there are 107 locations in total, which can be found online.
All active registered voters should have already received a vote-by-mail ballot, and a completed ballot can be submitted through the postal service or dropped it off at a secure ballot location {postmarked by November 3 at the latest}. Murphy’s executive order also allows voters to hand their ballot to a poll worker at a physical location on Election Day. For those who expected to receive a ballot but have not, an election hotline is available at 1-877-NJ-VOTER {1-877-658-6837}, or at the New Jersey Division of Election’s website.
Although the postal service has a good record of keeping ballots secure, there is always a possibility of a lost ballot. To track your ballot’s location and status, you can visit the New Jersey Voter Registration System {and create an account if you do not already have one!}, or call your county’s election officials. Hudson County election officials can be contacted here.
See More: Where to Vote in Hoboken: Your Guide to Polling Locations
If you weren’t registered in time to receive an in-person ballot, you can still vote at an in-person polling location, but you can expect to receive a provisional ballot.
Provisional ballots are normally used to record a vote when there are questions about a voter’s eligibility that must be resolved before the vote can count. Because this year’s election is primarily vote-by-mail, the provisional ballots won’t be counted until the last mail-in ballots are received by November 10.
This allows election officials enough time to make sure someone didn’t already vote by mail.
For people with disabilities, election officials said ADA-conforming voting machines will be available at every polling location.
{To vote in the 2020 election on November 3, register online by the registration deadline, October 13. Don’t wait!}
Who’s Running for Hoboken Mayor in 2025?
On Friday, January 10th, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced that he is not running for re-election in 2025. Mayor Bhalla was first elected in 2017 and has served two terms as Hoboken's mayor. His decision not to seek re-election ensures an interesting mayoral race in 2025, with several City officials already expected to run. As announcements are made, we'll be keeping track of all the prospective candidates in this article. Read on to see who's running for Hoboken Mayor this November.
Disclaimer: This list is for informational purposes only. The Hoboken Girl does not endorse any mayoral candidates.
About the Election
The 2025 Hoboken Mayoral Election will take place on Tuesday, November 4th. The election will determine who will hold office in the upcoming term from 2026 - 2030. In Hoboken, the office is popularly elected in a non-partisan municipal election and held for a four-year term without term limits.
Read More: How to Help the Victims of the Los Angeles Wildfires
Official 2025 Hoboken Mayoral Candidate Announcements:
Emily Jabbour
On Monday, January 13th, Emily Jabbour formally announced plans to run for Hoboken Mayor in 2025 via a press release. Emily currently serves as Councilperson-at-Large for the City of Hoboken, a position she was first elected to in 2017. She was elected to a second term in 2021 and served as the City Council President in 2023. In the press release, Emily said: "We’ve got more work to do for better schools, safer neighborhoods, improved constituent services, public transportation that works for all of us, and real transparency and accountability in how decisions get made and taxpayer money gets spent." Watch her announcement video here.
Dini Ajmani
On Thursday, Februrary 13th, Hoboken resident Dini Ajmani formally announced plans to run for Hoboken Mayor in 2025. Dini was previously the Assistant State Treasurer in Phil Murphy’s administration and worked to lower housing costs as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department, per her campaign website. Dini also serves on the Hoboken Planning Board.
Michael Russo
Hoboken Councilman Michael Russo formerly announced plans to run for Hoboken Mayor on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025. "Hoboken is the place I was born and raised: with my friends and family, in our restaurants and parks, and at my church. I’ve gotten to know thousands of my neighbors and have had the privilege of serving them on the City Council. For the last 22 years, I’ve been elected time and time again as an independent voice for Hoboken, regardless of political infighting. I promise to be a Mayor who’s willing to work on the big picture while also listening to feedback from residents each and every day—and since my early years in politics, I’ve listened to people who love what I have to say and people who disagree. I’ve hosted countless community meetings and town halls in full rooms where people come to talk about transportation, rent increases, and everything in between. That’s given me the experience necessary to lead Hoboken forward," he said. Watch Councilman Russo's announcement video here.
Ruben Ramos
Hoboken Councilman Ruben Ramos formerly announced plans to run for Hoboken Mayor on Friday, February 21st, 2025. "As a lifelong resident, proud public school teacher, Fourth Ward Councilman, former State Assemblyman, cancer survivor, husband and father, I know what our city needs and with your help I’m ready to deliver it." Visit his website here to watch his campaign video.
Tiffanie Fisher
Hoboken Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher confirmed with The Hoboken Girl on Monday, February 24th that she will be running for Hoboken Mayor. A formal announcement is coming soon. Councilwoman Fisher also hinted at a mayoral run via her newsletter on Sunday, February 23rd.
Other Candidates Expected to Run
In a newsletter to constituents on January 13, 2025, Tiffanie Fisher shared she is "exploring running for Mayor," as well as noting that four Council Members including herself — Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos, and 3rd Ward Councilman Michael Russo — are currently considering running, with Councilwoman Jabbour already announcing her run on January 13th. Councilman Russo announced his candidacy on Tuesday, February 18th.
"I am sure there will be others. Petitions to be on the ballot are due at the end of August, and the election is in November," she explained.
FYI: We'll be updating this piece weekly as more candidates enter the race.
Please email [email protected] with any press releases or announcements.
See More: All of the Candidates Running for New Jersey Governor in 2025
And for the latest Hoboken + Jersey City news, be sure to follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
