HOBOKEN – Just over a week since 15 candidates turned in their petitions to run for the City Council in the November elections, one candidate is already facing an uphill battle.
Melissa Blanco was dropped from the 5th Ward race after not meeting the requirement of 59 valid signatures, or 1 percent of registered voters in her ward, which is necessary to make the ballot, Hoboken Deputy Clerk Jerry Lore said. Whether Blanco is permanently off the ballot is still in contention. The clerk’s office could not comment on whether Blanco will be permanently taken off the ballot since the circumstances are still being reviewed.
Blanco, who in the past has been critical of Mayor Dawn Zimmer’s administration, said all of her 80 signatures submitted were valid by “New Jersey case law.” She added that she has additional stacks of signatures she can submit. She complained that there was a lack of transparency by the clerk’s office throughout this process.
Blanco said many of her supporters, although they may not be registered, should still be considered eligible.
“If you have only registered voters that allow the continuance, reproduction of the same politics, you can’t break the cycle,” said Blanco. “How can you have a democracy in local government if the only people who are in cahoots with the candidates, participate?”
Blanco said that regardless of the results she will run – even if forced into a write-in campaign.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 8, 5th Ward Councilman incumbent Peter Cunningham will face former Hoboken Housing Authority Commissioner Eduardo Gonzalez in the City Council race.
Lore said no other candidate has been disqualified or removed from the ballot.
Clerk: Melissa Blanco may not be able to run for 5th Ward City Council elections in Hoboken
