The number of registered voters in Plainfield dropped by 864 from October 23 to May 1, with Democrats showing the greatest loss.
All the primary candidates for mayor or City Council are Democrats.
In contrast to a drop of 282 for Democrats, the small Conservative, Green and Libertarian parties all gained members since the 2016 general election. The numbers of Republicans and unaffiliated voters, already puny compared to Democrats in Plainfield, saw further reductions.
The last day to register for the June 6 primary was May 16, so numbers may change in the Union County Election Board's next tally. Several groups held voter registration drives and City Clerk AJ Jalloh opened his office from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. for registration on May 16.
Moving can affect one's eligibility to vote. See a FAQ on New Jersey voting rules for various circumstances, including moves. There is also a section on challengers and one on electioneering that voters should check. We have all heard stories of people trying to interfere with voters at the polls or going into the booth with a voter to "help" them. Be forewarned - know your rights!
It's probably too late for the primary, but before the Nov. 7 general election a person with a criminal conviction should follow ACLU guidelines for registering to vote.
After the Democratic primary, only one mayoral candidate, one Fourth Ward candidate and one choice for the unexpired Second & Third Ward at-large seat will have the party line on the November ballot. Independents who file on June 6 for any of those seats will also be on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.
--Bernice
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Should it surprise anyone that register voters numbers are down, it’s called voter apathy. When you look at the choices we have by way of candidates right here in Plainfield it leaves one feeling a lack of concern and hopelessness. As long as we have people like Jerry Green and the Campbells controlling people and events nothing will change for the better. After years of riding on roads that damage your car one should not be applauded or celebrated for doing what should have been done all along. City property taxes go up every year the only difference this year is that we’re also getting a tax increase from the BEA. Combined it will be significant.
ReplyDeleteAnon 4:56 - your comment is one reason people have voter apathy. We had Sharon RB in office for 8 years and the fool screwed up city finances and ignored the road improvement plan. Mayor Mapp has done just the opposite and should definitely be applauded. Let's look at it this way. You get hired by a company to fill a job of someone that was awful and did nothing but screw things up. You come in and do a bang up job and do things the way they should have been done by your predecessor. At the end of the year your boss says "I can't say you did a good job because your predecessor should have done that so no bonus or raise for you".
DeleteGive it a rest - if someone does a good job, they should get credit for it. Maybe more so for fixing all the messes they found when they started.