A late addition to the ballot in Allentown has given local Democrats a full ticket to support in November when candidates will vie for three open seats in the borough government.
According to the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, Barbara Hallmark was added to the ballot nearly six months after the March 30 deadline for candidates to file a nominating petition.
Hallmark joins fellow Democrat Thomas Frits in seeking three-year terms on the Allentown Borough Council, and William Borkowski, who will vie for a fouryear term as mayor. Borkowski is currently serving on the council. He was elected to the governing body as an independent.
Hallmark, Frits and Borkowski will run against a slate of independent candidates in November.
Running under the “Allentown First” ticket, Johnna Steinmire and Robert Strovinsky are running for the two council seats and Gregory Westfall is opposing Borkowski for mayor.
Long-time incumbent Republican Mayor Stuart Fierstein and incumbent Republican council members Dan Wimer and Margaret Rose did not file for re-election.
During the primary election in June, Frits was the only Democrat listed on the ballot as a candidate for council.
According to the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, Donald Wood Jr. received two write-in votes as a Democratic candidate for council. He subsequently declined the nomination.
According to officials, a write-in candi- date may earn a spot on the general election ballot if he receives write-in votes in an amount of at least 5 percent of the ballots cast in the previous state Assembly primary.
With an unclaimed ballot slot available, the Democrats were given until Sept. 10 to submit candidates to fill the spot on the ballot, according to the county clerk. Ultimately, local Democratic leaders chose Hallmark to represent the party and run in November.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 3 for the 2015 general election.
— Contact Andrew Martins at [email protected]