Vote Remote: What's On Your Ballot?

Almost every aspect of our lives has changed in the wake of COVID-19, and voting is no different. Whether you have been civically engaged for years or you’re a first time voter, this is a difficult time to navigate an election.

To make things easier, we have compiled information on candidates and ballot questions in New Jersey for the 2020 election. For information about voting procedures in 2020, visit our first Vote Remote blog post.

Much of the information in this guide comes from the voter information sites Ballotpedia.org, a sample ballot guide regularly updated, and the New Jersey Division of Elections website.

For expediency’s sake, the first paragraph for each office up for election will be candidates from the two major parties, the Democratic and Republican parties. In a second paragraph, any third party candidates will be listed.

Omissions from this guide are not politically motivated, and please feel free to contact us if you feel we have left off important candidates who will appear on the ballot.

Ballot Measures

There are a number of measures on the ballot in New Jersey this year. For more information and for information in other languages, please visit the Department of Elections website.

Public Question Number 1: Constitutional Amendment to Legalize Marijuana

Do you approve amending the Constitution to legalize a controlled form of marijuana called “cannabis”? Only adults at least 21 years of age could use cannabis. The State commission created to oversee the State’s medical cannabis program would also oversee the new, personal use cannabis market. Cannabis products would be subject to the State sales tax. If authorized by the Legislature, a municipality may pass a local ordinance to charge a local tax on cannabis products.

Public Question Number 2: Property Tax Deduction and Exemption for Peacetime Veterans

Do you approve amending the Constitution to give a $250 property tax deduction to veterans who did not serve in time of war? Do you also approve amending the Constitution to give a 100 percent property tax exemption to certain totally disabled veterans who did not serve in time of war? The widow or widower of these veterans also would receive this $250 deduction or 100 percent exemption after the veteran’s death.

Public Question Number 3: Constitutional Amendment to Change the Legislative Redistricting Schedule If Census Data is Delayed

Do you approve amending the Constitution to change when new legislative districts are created if the federal census data is delayed? The current COVID-19 pandemic has delayed census data collection. If New Jersey does not receive the census data in a timely manner, new legislative districts may not be ready in time for State legislative elections in the year ending in one. This change to the redistricting schedule will allow legislators to be elected that year from their existing districts for their two-year term in office. The new districts will be used starting with the next scheduled general election for the State legislature.

Presidential Election

In the 2020 Presidential election, the Democratic nominee is former Vice President Joe Biden, running alongside Senator Kamala Harris. The Republican nominee is incumbent President Donald Trump, running alongside Vice President Mike Pence.

Third party candidates who will appear on the ballot include but are not limited to Don Blankenship of the Constitution Party, Howie Hawkins of the Green Party, Jo Jorgensen of the Libertarian Party, Gloria La Riva of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Roque De La Fuente of the Alliance Party, and Bill Hammons of the Unity Party.

U.S. Senate Election

In the 2020 U.S. Senate election for New Jersey, incumbent Democratic Senator Cory Booker is running against Republican candidate Rik Mehta.

Third party candidates include Green Party nominee Madelyn Hoffman, as well as Veronica Fernandez and Daniel Burke.

U.S. House of Representatives Election

In the 2020 U.S. House of Representatives election for the 5th Congressional District, of which Rochelle Park is a part, incumbent Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer is running against Republican candidate Frank Pallotta.

American Values Party candidate Louis Vellucci will also appear on the ballot.

If you are an active registered voter, you should be mailed your mail-in ballot by October 5, 2020. If you would like to check your voter registration, you may do so here.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us or the Bergen County Election Divisions for more information.