FAQs
When is the Primary Election and the General Election this year?
The Primary Election for 2026 is set for June 2. The early voting period for the 2026 Primary Election is May 26-31. Primary elections allow party affiliated voters to vet their respective party by voting on which candidate will represent the party for the general election that follows. The general election is scheduled on November 3, 2026 and determines which candidate will hold that office for the next term.
Who can vote during the primary?
During Primary Elections, party affiliated voters for the two mainstream parties receive tailored ballots listing the candidates vying for their party's nomination fo the upcoming general election. This means registered Democrats will only see all Democratic candidates trying to run for specific offices. You must be registered under a partisan affiliation in order to cast your vote and help determine your party's nominees. In other words, registered Republicans cannot vote for Democratic candidates during a Primary. Unaffiliated can uniquely declare a party affiliation on Election Day and vote for the party of their choosing. Eligible voters have until May 12 to register. Party affiliated voters have until April 8 to change their party affiliation and vote in the June 2 Primary. You can confirm your voter registration by entering your information here.
Why do I see other candidates with the slogan "Bloomfield for Progress?"
This Primary Election contains races for multiple positions. Candidates with the slogan "Bloomfield for Progress" are showing their full alignment with the progressive leaning platform of Ward Council Candidates Stefanie Santiago and Stef Bootwala and are invested in keeping their platforms hyper-localized. Beyond this unity, voters are encouraged to research each candidate's individual record and base their vote on the individual ideas being put forward, not slogans.
How are you different from your opponents?
While each Ward in Bloomfield has its unique needs and interests, Stefanie Santiago and Stef Bootwala are running a progressive grassroots campaign focused on systemic changes that maximize public good. Their opponents are the establishment leaning incumbents and have been hand picked by the exclusive insider culture that has been eroding democracy at the local level. Their opponents offer constrained leadership with a record of prioritizing procedural hurdles over outcomes, while Stefanie Santiago and Stef Bootwala have a proven record of leading tough community conversations spanning immigrant justice and racism within the township. The Bloomfield for Progress Ward Candidates are only accountable to the public, not other elected officials, and are Progressive Democrats running on their own merits. Together, Stefanie Santiago and Stef Bootwala prove that community members do not need to wait to get anointed to run for office and are independent to advocate for meaningful change.
How will my campaign donations be used?
Thank you for considering to make a financial contribution to this people powered campaign. Campaign contributions are generally spent on the infrastructure needed to complete outreach efforts that ensure as many voters as possible get engaged to make informed decisions at the polls. Contributions typically cover marketing materials, such as lawn signs, handouts, or mailers. At times, they may be used to cover overhead costs for campaign events, such as meet & greets.
Privacy Policy
Contact information may be solicited through the campaign website or during scheduled campaign events. Any contact information shared with the campaign will be used for campaign outreach purposes only and will not be distributed to third party vendors. We may obtain contact information from third party sources to keep contact records expansive and up to date in order to maintain our campaign approach informed on best practice. By providing your email or phone number, you consent to receive campaign updates that keep you engaged in campaign programs, events, and/or activities. You have the right to opt out from campaign communications at any time. To opt out of our email list, please select the "unsubscribe" option. To opt out of receiving text messages, simply text "STOP" to the number and you will be removed from the contact list.