Election results 2023: Bergen down to the wire, others across North Jersey yet to be called
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Election Day Tuesday lasted into Wednesday morning. Some races were yet to be called, but Democrats retained control in enough seats to block the GOP's effort to retake one or both chambers for the first time in more than two decades.
In North Jersey, Bergen County's 38th District — a potential Republican target for upset — appeared to go the Democrats' way early Wednesday.
Incumbents Sen. Joe Lagana and Assembly members Lisa Swain and Chris Tull looked as if they would hold their seats.
The race was called by the Associated Press shortly after 1 a.m., with 99% of the vote counted and Lagana holding a 20,092 to 18,649 vote lead over challenger Micheline Attieh.
Swain and Tully, also with 99% of the vote tallied, held slimmer leads over challengers Gail Horton and Barry Wilkes. Swain and Tully had 19,558 and 19,295 respectively, comparted to Wilkes and Horton, with 18,753 and 18,738, respectively. The AP, as of 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, had not called that race.
Republican campaign manager in the 38th, Dylan Hill, said early Wednesday morning that the race was still too close to call and that they will have a better idea of the results Wednesday afternoon.
Don’t forget to check back at NorthJersey.com to see results for races in Bergen and Passaic counties as they come in.
In Morris County, as of early Wednesday morning, just 28% of total votes had been posted by the Morris County Clerk's Office, leaving many contests still in doubt.
Parsippany Republicans held a small lead in their bid to keep a council majority. Parental-rights candidates seemed poised to win heated school board races in Hanover and Roxbury, according to unofficial results from Tuesday's election.
In Sussex County, the Sparta Board of Education is set to have three new members after the self-described "Stop Raising Taxes" team prevailed in a seven-candidate field, ousting two incumbent in the process, according to unofficial results posted Tuesday night.
Some races could take days to call: Elections officials may count vote-by-mail ballots received by Nov. 13, as long as they were postmarked by 8 p.m. Election Day.
NJ elections: Democrats reassert their control of the Legislature, even as some races tightened
1:10 a.m. Lagana, Schepisi win
Democratic Senator Joseph Lagana secured victory early Wednesday when a flurry of votes were tabulated and his lead grew to about 4 points over Republican challenger Micheline Attieh.
The Associated Press called the race at 1:05 a.m. The race had been very tight for most of the night as results came in slowly.
The Associated Press called victory for Republican Senator Holly Schepisi just before 1 a.m. Wednesday.
12:50 a.m. Only two Senate races remain uncalled and one is very close
Only two of the 40 state Senate races have yet to be called. Both are in Bergen County.
District 38 has been a nail-biter so far and may not be called anytime soon.
Democratic Senator Joseph Lagana was leading by less than 100 votes over Republican challenger Micheline Attieh with only 52% of the vote counted.
Meanwhile in District 39, Republican Senator Holly Schepisihas a commanding lead over Democratic challenger Jodi Murphy. With 54% of the vote, Schepisiled by 19 points.
12:30 a.m. Bucco pulls out victory
Republican Senator Anthony Bucco won reelection after a slight scare from Democratic challenger Christine Clarke, according to the Associated Press.
Clarke had a slight lead with two-thirds of votes in, but Bucco finished strong with almost an eight point margin with 87% of the vote in. The district spans Morris and Somerset counties.
12:20 a.m. Down goes Durr
After scoring one of the biggest upsets in New Jersey political history two years ago when he defeated Senate President Steve Sweeney, Sen. Edward Durr couldn’t hold onto his South Jersey seat for more than one term.
The Associated Press called the race for Democrat John Burzichelli shortly after midnight. Burzichelli was leading Durr 53% to 47% with almost 98% of the vote in.
12:15 a.m. Johnson wins Senate race
Although Bergen County results have been very slow tonight, Sen. Gordon Johnson was proclaimed victor by the Associated Press with only 61% of the vote in.
Johnson had a commanding 68% lead over Republican challenger Dierdre Paul. District 37 covers most of northeastern Bergen County.
11:45 p.m. Pennacchio overcomes Waks challenge
Republican incumbent Sen. Joe Pennacchio pulled out a victory over Democrat Joan Waks, according to the Associated Press.
While the race was close early, Pennacchio's lead grew steadily through the night and held a 15 point lead with 85% of the votes counted. The district that spans Passaic, Morris and Essex counties.
11:40 p.m. Incumbents rule in legislative races (so far)
Everything has gone to script in the 27 Senate races called so far by the Associated Press.
Incumbents have won every seat. In districts where there wasn't an incumbent, the candidate of the party with a majority of voters in the district has won.
But there is still time for an upset or two. Some races are still tight. Stay tuned.
11:25 p.m. North Jersey results coming in much slower than rest of state
While Senate and Assembly races are being called in many other parts of the state, results from North Jersey districts are coming in much slower.
As of 11:25 p.m., only one of the five legislative districts that make up parts of Bergen and Passaic counties had more than 50% of the vote in.
11:10 p.m. Lagana, Attieh in a close race
Among the close races that have developed Tuesday night is a Senate seat in Bergen County.
Republican challenger Micheline Attieh was slightly ahead of Democratic incumbent Joseph Lagana 51.5% to 48.5% with 22.5% of the vote in.
10:45 Bucco, Clarke race very tight
Democratic challenger Christine Clarke had a slight lead over Republican Senator Anthony Bucco.
With 65.6% of the vote in, Clarke had 50.2% over Bucco's 49.8% with less than 200 votes separating the two. The district spans Morris and Somerset counties.
10:30 First Assembly incumbent goes down
The first incumbent to lose a seat is Republican Assemblyman Edward Thomson.
The Associated Press called the race for Democrat Alexander Schnall in District 30 in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Also winning was Republican incumbent Sean Kean, who was the top vote getter.
10:05 p.m. Pennacchio, Waks race close
The District 26 New Jersey Senate race has so far been a close one as early results roll in.
With 32.9% of votes tallied, Republican incumbent Joe Pennacchio has a slight edge on Democrat Joan Waks 50.1% to 49.9%, according to the Associated Press. Only 25 votes separate them in the district that spans Passaic, Morris and Essex counties.
9:47 p.m. Incumbents keep winning
So far incumbents are coming up strong in New Jersey's Senate races.
Republicans Michael Testa and Declan O'Scanlon, and Democrats Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Vin Gopal and Shirley Turner are the latest to win and retain their state Senate seats, according to the Associated Press.
9:30 p.m. More Senate races called
Results are beginning to come in fast and furious to some legislative races.
In the state Senate, Republicans Robert Singer, Carmen Amato and Jim Holzapfel and Democrats Bob Smith and Patrick Diegnan held onto their seats, according to the Associated Press.
9:13 p.m. AP calls first contested legislative race
Sen. James Beach, a Democrat, beat Republican challenger Mark Doogan in District 6, according to the Associated Press.
With almost 60% of ballots counted, Beach had a commanding 75% lead.
9:05 p.m. Municipal council, school board and county commissioner numbers are coming in
Dozens of contested races for municipal council, school board and county commissioner in Bergen, Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties are beginning to be tabulated and published.
Check out our webpage here with all the latest numbers from all four counties.
8:30 p.m. The first numbers start to roll in
The first numbers are starting to come in for New Jersey's legislative races where 120 seats in the Senate and Assembly are up for grabs.
Our colleague John Connolly is compiling them here.
So far the Associated Press has called winners for only uncontested races: Democrat Senator Renee Burgess in District 28 and Democratic Assembly members Benjie Wimberly and Shavonda Sumter in District 35.
8:00 p.m. The polls have closed
The polls have closed in New Jersey. Counting commences. Results should be available in some counties within the next few hours. But some races will be too close to call, and mailed ballots postmarked on time can be counted as long as they county boards of election receive them by Nov. 13.
Check NorthJersey.com for results as they come in later this evening.
7:00 p.m. A big night expected in Hackensack
There was a steady stream of voters on Tuesday in Hackensack, where they are choosing from among nine candidates for three seats on the city Board of Education, along with a ballot question on open space.
The field of candidates includes:
Andrew Meehan, the only incumbent on the ballot, who was appointed to the board in June to fill the remainder of a vacated term.
Susan Avallone, Yvette Irving and Nancy Veloz, who are running together on the For Hackensack’s Future slate.
Sophia Brown and Dana Martinez, who are also running together on a ticket as “mothers, educators, advocates.”
And Kenneth Martin, Shivonnie Pringle and Mark Stein on the Hackensack Quality Education ticket.
Also on the ballot is a measure that would extend the Hackensack Open Space Trust Fund, which was first passed in 2018 by a 2-1 margin. The fund would be used for open space initiatives, such as maintaining city parks, creating new recreation spaces, conservation and historic preservation. City officials said much of the money would address flooding issues at Foschini Park, which is undergoing renovations.
-Megan Burrow
6:00 p.m. A reminder for last-minute voters
There are two hours left before polls close in New Jersey.
So if you're the type of person who buys gifts on Christmas Eve or crams for finals just hours before exams, you might want to think about moseying over to a polling place soon.
And you're in luck. By law you are entitled to vote if you make it to your polling place on time but you're still waiting in line after 8 p.m.
And if by chance a poll worker says otherwise, the state law to cite is 19:15-9: "After the hour fixed for closing the polls voters already within such place or room or in line shall be permitted to prepare and cast their ballots."
-Scott Fallon
4:00 p.m. Wayne voters weigh in on future of ambulance corps
Debra Tahan combined aerobic exercise and civic responsibility Tuesday, cycling more than a mile from her home on Brandywine Road to cast her vote in the gymnasium of Preakness School.
Tahan said she hopes that her ballot choices at the Hamburg Turnpike polling place will help to rescue the volunteer First Aid Squad from possible privatization.
The future of the ambulance corps emerged this fall as an issue in the 5th Ward race between Councilwoman Francine Ritter, a Democrat, and her Republican challenger, Matthew Cavallo, the commissioner of first aid and safety.
That race is among six municipal elections on the local ballot.
“I love the squad,” said Tahan, who serves as its chaplain. “I love what we do, and what we are to this community. It’s so important that people don’t have to worry about paying for an emergency.”
Preakness School is now one of just two polling places in the 5th Ward after a change this year that affected 1,950 voters, said Township Clerk Paul Margiotta.
Voters who were assigned to a polling place at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary R.C. Church on Urban Club Road were switched to the school for multiple reasons, including a lack of accessible parking spots, Margiotta said.
By noon, 236 people cast their votes at the school. A poll worker said the sluggish morning was typical for an off-year election.
Yet James Chappa was not about to skip out on his right to vote.
“Foreign policy has gone to hell in this administration,” said Chappa, a semi-retired house painter. “You got to get out and vote — that’s the only way your voice is gonna be heard.”
-Philip DeVencentis
2:23 p.m. Hawthorne Green Party candidate makes last minute pitch
Craig Cayetano, a 19-year resident of Hawthorne, was on the street Tuesday urging prospective voters to hit the polls — and drumming up support for his own town council campaign.
"It's great to be out here," he said. "Everyone has been very supportive."
One of two candidates in Hawthorne's Ward 3, Cayetano is running this year as Green Party candidate against Republican incumbent Michael Sciarra. Two years ago, Republicans won the race for mayor and swept all three at-large seats on the council. In 2020, Cayetano finished third behind Sciarra and Democratic candidate Kimberly Maciejewski in the battle to represent Ward 3.
This year, council seats for each of Hawthorne's four wards are on the ballot. Every race is contested, and there is a three-way battle for Ward 2. The town's school board race is also contested.
When looking at the ballot, Cayetano said he thinks of the key issues in his town and beyond. How candidates propose to manage budgets, development projects and environmental issues is important, he said. At its core, Election Day is about voting for people who care about what matters, he said.
-David Zimmer
1:04 p.m. Passaic high school students beef up poll worker staffing
In Passaic, the mayor’s program to address a poll worker shortage by adding high school students to the pool is working out, said City Clerk Weatherly Frias. The 29 teenagers, many of them Passaic High School seniors, all showed up on time today and are enthusiastic, he said.
“I just went out to observe,” Frias said. “Normally we are short or tight on election workers. They are doing great.”
Not only are all the polls covered, but they are staffed with bilingual workers, she said.
“What’s nice is that they are also tech-savvy,” Frias said. “They pair nicely with our seasoned election workers.”
Frias said she intends to offer more opportunities for Passaic’s teens in the spring so they can be trained in time for the June primary election.
Mayor Hector Lora said 16-year-olds can be trained, but the city’s program consists entirely of students at least 18 years old.
-Matt Fagan
12:09 p.m. Your voting questions answered
When are polls open?
Polls opened at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.
When do polls close?
Polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2023. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you can cast your vote.
What district am I in?
Search your address using this NJSpotlight tool to find your legislative district. This is the first election cycle featuring newly-drawn maps after redistricting using 2020 Census data, a process that happens every ten years.
Where do I vote?
Visit voter.svrs.nj.gov/polling-place-search to find your polling place.
Is Election Day a federal holiday?
No, Election Day is not one of the 11 federally designated holidays.
Is Election Day a New Jersey state holiday?
Yes, Nov. 7 is one of the 13 holidays observed by state agencies in 2023.
Is mail delivered on Election Day? Is the post office open?
Yes, mail is delivered on Election Day 2023 and post offices are open. FedEx and UPS are also picking up and delivering packages as normal.
Is the DMV open on Election Day?
All motor vehicle commission facilities in New Jersey are closed, including offices, road test sites, and inspection stations.
Where can I find election results?
Check here for election results by town.
Are schools open on Election Day?
The decision varies by school district, so check your school district’s calendar.
10:59 a.m. Bergen County officials addressing small issues at polls
Election officials and a warehouse crew are helping poll workers with small machine issues and user errors at voting sites across Bergen County.
“No voters were turned away…voters are still voting,” said Debra Francica, superintendent of elections and commissioner of registration. “Voters should ask for help if they’re having trouble from poll workers because workers don’t want to be intrusive.”
Some issues stemmed from voters being unfamiliar with voting machines that were replaced in time for the primary election this year. In Westwood, officials reported voters trying to remove the ballots from the printer before a green check mark appeared on the screen, which indicates the entire ballot was finished printing.
“The machines are working fine. I think the voters are just not used to it,” Francica said.
Republican Assemblyman Robert Auth tweeted out a Facebook post by a voter who received the message, “There is already a vote recorded for this activation card. Please remove your activation card and notify a poll worker for assistance.”
“The voter would only receive that message if the voter card was not encoded completely by the poll worker at voter check-in,” Francica said.
Westwood Clerk Karen Hughes explained that the message doesn’t mean a voter has already voted, but that the card has already been inserted into a ballot machine.
“In a nutshell, the cards are programmed with the voter’s ballot and can only be inserted one time,” Hughes said. “Once it’s pulled out it’s cleared. If the same voter tries to insert it again it will not show the ballot. The cards are reused over and over all day. If the card reader doesn’t reprogram the card with the ballot correctly, it will show that message when a voter inserts it.”
Republican Sen. Holly Schepisi said she received calls from constituents and officials in four other Bergen County towns experiencing problems at the polls, including River Vale, Paramus, Norwood and Oradel.
Francica said in River Vale, a ballot marking device wasn’t working because it wasn’t plugged in. Her office helped poll workers set up a ballot marking device in Paramus, and sent a technician to Norwood to check on the batteries in the device. Her team delivered a missing middle privacy curtain to Oradell this morning, and walked poll workers through fixing a paper jam at George Washington School in Ridgewood.
If a voter doesn’t have time to wait as workers resolve a problem, they should ask for a provisional ballot to fill out, or paper ballots that are counted after the polls close, Schepisi said.
Voters with concerns can call the election protection hotline run by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or the Division of Elections at 1-877-NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837).
- Ashley Balcerzak and Kristie Cattafi
9:24 a.m. Federal observers in Union County
Federal observers will monitor polling sites in Union County to make sure the county is complying with the Voting Rights Act, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
In June, a federal court approved a consent decree that requires the county to print ballots in English and Spanish, among other things, such as making trained bilingual election officials available as well as poll workers to help Spanish-speaking voters.
The agreement followed a complaint by federal prosecutors that alleged the county violated provisions of the Voting Rights Act protecting residents with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities.
Those reporting potential violations of federal voting rights laws may contact the Civil Rights Division at civilrights.justice.gov or 800-253-3931.
8:28 a.m. Economy remains top issue impacting NJ vote, new Rutgers poll finds
Taxes and the economy are the biggest concerns among New Jersey voters when deciding how to cast their ballots, according to a Rutgers Eagleton poll released on Election Day.
Forty percent of those polled named fiscal issues as most important to them.
“The culture wars redux we have seen this election cycle may sound nice in soundbites and mailers and may galvanize some in each party’s base and persuade some in the middle,” said Ashley Koning, an assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University New Brunswick.
“But Democrats, Republicans and independents alike say they are most concerned about the economy, cost of living and taxes — and plan to vote with these issues in mind,” Koning said.
When pollsters asked directly about specific issues, 87% of respondents said affordability and cost of living were major factors in deciding their votes, another 87% said the economy and 83% said taxes.
As for other issues that respondents said had a major impact on how they voted:
70% said gun violence
59% said abortion
47% said parental involvement in education
27% said offshore wind
Those polled didn’t have strongly positive views on the New Jersey Legislature: 22% had a favorable impression, compared to 25% with an unfavorable impression. Almost half, or 46%, had no opinion on the legislative body at all, and 7% were unsure what the state Legislature is.
The poll of 974 adults was conducted from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5, with a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.
8:00 a.m. More than 530,000 ballots cast before Election Day
Nearly 124,000 New Jerseyans cast ballots in person at polling places during the state's early voting period between Oct. 28 and Nov. 5. And nearly 407,000 voters returned absentee ballots through the mail and in person by Monday, according to an analysis by Ryan Dubicki, elections researcher for the Associated Press.
Of the 530,000 ballots cast before Election Day, Democrats tended to take advantage of early voting more than Republicans, turning in 320,000 ballots compared to the GOP's 127,000 and the 82,000 votes cast by voters unaffiliated with either party.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ election results 2023: Live updates
