The runoff elections happening today in Jersey City, Hoboken, and Hillside aren’t just routine—they’re big deals for North Jersey. These votes will decide who gets to guide some of the region’s most energetic communities for the next four years.
With mayoral and council seats up for grabs and tight margins from November’s general election, the pressure’s on. Bad weather is rolling in for parts of the state, making this runoff a real test of turnout, campaign muscle, and voter protections.
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High-Stakes Mayoral Runoff in Jersey City
Jersey City is in the spotlight. City Councilman James Solomon faces off against former Governor James E. McGreevey in a closely watched mayoral runoff.
Outgoing Mayor Steven Fulop is stepping aside to run for governor, so the city’s at a crossroads. Both candidates are pushing different ideas about development, affordability, and ethics in one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing cities.
Solomon led the initial seven-candidate race with 29% of the vote. McGreevey followed at 25%.
The split field made coalition-building absolutely crucial in the weeks leading up to today’s runoff.
Endorsements and Alignments Shape the Jersey City Race
During the runoff, both candidates worked hard to win over former rivals and community leaders. Endorsements have split between them, exposing old political alliances and some ideological rifts.
Solomon’s campaign hammered on ethics, transparency, and tenant protections. He’s reaching out to voters who want more control over development and a focus on regular people.
McGreevey, meanwhile, leans on his experience as governor and his connections in Trenton. He argues Jersey City needs someone who knows how to handle big projects and state partnerships.
Runoff Contests in Hoboken and Hillside
While Jersey City’s race grabs the most attention, Hoboken and Hillside have their own important runoff elections today.
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Hoboken: A Close Contest Between Council Colleagues
In Hoboken, two City Council members—Emily Jabbour and Michael Russo—are facing off for mayor. Jabbour had a slight lead in round one, but in a runoff with low turnout, that advantage can disappear fast if one side rallies its voters better.
Both know Hoboken’s problems well, from flooding and infrastructure to housing. They’re each making the case that they can deliver steady leadership in a city that’s changing quickly and is tightly connected to Jersey City’s economy.
Hillside: Incumbent vs. Challenger in a Tight Mayoral Race
Hillside’s runoff features incumbent Mayor Dahlia Vertreese against Councilwoman Andrea Hyatt. Vertreese led narrowly in the general election, but not by enough to avoid a runoff.
The race fits a familiar pattern in New Jersey: incumbents facing challengers who say change hasn’t come fast enough.
Several council seats in Jersey City and Hillside are also headed to runoffs. Many candidates have tied themselves to a mayoral ticket, turning these races into mini-referendums on each campaign’s message.
Weather, Voting Rules, and Voter Rights
Weather’s adding another layer of uncertainty today. Governor Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency in five northwestern counties because of rain, snow, and hazardous conditions.
Hudson and Union counties—where Jersey City, Hoboken, and Hillside are—aren’t at the center of the emergency, but they may still get a mix of rain and wet snow that could keep some voters home.
Polling Hours, Ballots, and What Voters Should Know
Polls are open from 6 AM to 8 PM. If you’re in line by 8 PM, you have the right to vote.
If you run into problems with registration or missing records, ask for a provisional ballot. Don’t just leave.
Officials warn against relying on last-minute mailings. Postal delays could mean ballots arrive too late to count.
If you still have a mail ballot, use an official drop box or vote in person if you can.
Voter protections are front and center. Every voter can get help if they have disabilities or language barriers, and no one should face intimidation at the polls.
If you’re denied the right to vote, you can challenge it legally. Campaigning is banned near polling places, and political gear like T-shirts, hats, or buttons isn’t allowed inside to keep things neutral.
What These Runoffs Mean for Jersey City’s Future
For Jersey City, this runoff will shape everything from property taxes and school funding to neighborhood services and public safety. City council races—many aligned with either Solomon or McGreevey—will affect how easily the next mayor can push an agenda and how much pushback they’ll get.
The economic stakes are high too. The next mayor’s approach to development will impact major corridors, transit hubs, and local businesses, from the waterfront to newer city districts inland. What happens in City Hall trickles down into daily life, including which areas get parks, schools, or small-business support.
From the Ballot Box to Daily Life in Jersey City
For folks outside the city, these elections are a bit of a wake-up call—Jersey City matters, both regionally and culturally. People commuting in from nearby towns care about more than just schools and parks.
They weigh public transit, the vibe of each neighborhood, and whether it actually feels right to stay in Jersey City or even make the leap to move here for good. The new leadership’s going to shape how appealing the city stays for travelers checking into Jersey City hotels.
It also matters to families on the fence about moving, and to workers who want a painless commute when getting to Jersey City from the rest of the metro area. Future investments—think waterfront walkways, arts spaces, and those local gems you see in every “things to do in Jersey City” list—hang in the balance too.
As the polls creep toward closing, the task is clear: vote. In the end, it’s not the pundits or consultants who steer Jersey City, Hoboken, or Hillside—it’s the residents who show up before 8 PM and help write the city’s next chapter.
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Here is the source article for this story: It’s runoff day in Jersey City, Hoboken and Hillside. The polls are open from 6 AM to 8 PM
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