Lawrence Township voters will go to the polls Nov. 5 to choose candidates for elected office, ranging from Lawrence Township Council and the Lawrence Township school board, plus state and county offices.
The polling places will be open from 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
In the Lawrence Township Council race, democratic incumbent township council members Cathleen M. Lewis and Michael S. Powers and their running mate, John Ryan are being challenged by republican candidates Robert T. Pluta and father-and-son candidates Philip J. Vinch III and Joseph Vinch.
Councilman David Maffei is not seeking re-election to another four-year term.
The contest for the Lawrence Township Public Schools Board of Education has drawn five candidates for three open seats, plus one school board member who is running unopposed to fill out a one-year unexpired term.
Incumbent school board members Jonathan Dauber, Pepper Evans and Michelle King are being challenged by Heather L. Camp and Adena Romeo-Ratliff for a three-year term on the school board.
Incumbent school board member Cathy LeCompte is running unopposed to fill out a one-year unexpired term. She was appointed earlier this year to fill a vacancy.
In New Jersey’s 15th Legislative District, incumbent assembly members Verlina Reynold-Jackson and Anthony Verrelli, both democrats, are squaring off against republican candidate Jennifer Williams, and Edward “NJ Weedman” Forchion and Dioh Williams of the Legalize Marijuana Party. The term is for two years.
At the county level, incumbent Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, a democrat, is seeking another four-year term. He is being challenged by republican nominee Lishian “Lisa” Wu.
Mercer County Freeholders Andrew Koontz and Nina D. Melker, both Democrats, are running unopposed for three-year terms on the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Finally, voters will be asked to decide on Public Question No. 1.
The public question would amend the New Jersey Constitution to allow the $250 veterans property tax deduction, which is granted to eligible veterans who live in a continuing care retirement community, to be given to the continuing care retirement community on behalf of the veteran.
A continuing care retirement community is not the same as a nursing home. Continuing care retirement communities, such as Meadow Lakes in East Windsor Township and Stonebridge at Montgomery in Montgomery Township, offer a range of services tailored to residents as they age and their needs change.