COURT HOUSE — There are 2,412 fewer registered Cape May County voters eligible to cast ballots Nov. 6 than last year.

Heading into the polls, which will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., for the state’s most watched and hotly contested Senate First District election between Republican incumbent Nicholas Asselta of Vineland and Democrat challenger Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew of South Seaville, there are 64,125 registered. They include 24,788 Republicans, 9,059 Democrats and 30,251 unaffiliated voters.

There are also 12 in the Green Party, seven in the Libertarian Party and four in the Reform Party, according to the county Board of Elections, as of Oct. 24.

In the November 2006 general election, there were 66,537 registered that included 25,767 Republicans, 9,266 Democrats and 31,482 unaffiliated.

Both Asselta and Van Drew have running mates for the Assembly.

Republican newcomers R. Norris Clark of Villas and Michael Donohue of South Dennis are facing incumbent Assemblyman Nelson Albano and first-time runner Matthew Milam, both of Vineland.

On the county level, Democrats Steven A. Bacher of Court House and Robert E. Jackson of Del Haven are challenging Republican incumbents Gerald M. Thornton of Court House and Ralph E. Bakley Sr. of Cold Spring.

The five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders is all Republican, and should the challengers be victorious, the board would remain in GOP control, 3-2.

Republican Surrogate W. Robert Hentges of Court House is running unopposed for his eighth term.

First elected to the five-year post in 1972, Hentges said he is the state’s most senior surrogate and its most senior Constitutional Officer. One of three Constitutional Officers named by the state Constitution, the surrogate is responsible for probate of wills, appointment of administrators of estates and appointment of guardians for minors and incapacitated persons. The others are sheriff and county clerk.

On the municipal level there are races in Dennis, Middle and Upper townships, City of North Wildwood and boroughs of Stone Harbor and Woodbine.

In Dennis Township, seeking places on the five-member township committee are Republicans Robert A. Grace of Dennisville and Teri L. Calloway of Ocean View facing incumbent Democrats Ruth J. Blessing and John Murphy, both of Clermont.

In Middle Township incumbent Democrat Susan Atkinsnon DeLanzo of Court House is being challenged by Republican Richard Cheatle of Rio Grande and Independent Eileen Fausey of Swainton.

Upper Township incumbent Republicans Curtis T. Corson Jr. of Seaville and John C. Newman of Marmora are being challenged by Democrats Steven Nickelsberg of Strathmere and Robert Vicario of Petersburg.

Woodbine has the largest field of candidates, six, seeking seats on borough council.
Three of them will take seats on the governing body.

For council, voters will select two regular terms from among Republican Douglas E. Watkins, and incumbent Independents for Woodbine Eduardo Ortiz and Joseph A. Schweibenz.

Seeking a one-year seat for the unexpired term of Councilman Gerald Sanford, who resigned, is incumbent Horace Youmans, affiliated with Independents for Woodbine. Also seeking the seat is Republican Clarence F. Ryan Jr. and Team Player-Communicator Lindley Dewane Dixon.

In Stone Harbor, incumbent Republican council members Barry D. Mastrangelo and Randall S. Bauer are unopposed for two seats on the governing body.

Voters will also decide the fate of four statewide questions, detailed on the Web site of The League of Women Voters of New Jersey Education Fund.

Question 1 would dedicate annual revenue of 1 percent under state sales tax for property tax reform. If approved, the total dedication of sales tax income for FY 2008 is estimated at $1.3 billion. If it is defeated, the dedication of sales tax income will remain at the one held cent level, estimated at $650 million for FY 2008.

Question 2, N.J. Stem Cell Research Bond Act would allow issuance of $450 million in bonds for grants to fund stem cell research projects.

Question 3, Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2007, would authorize $200 million in bonds for acquisition and development of land for recreation and conservation purposes; preserve farmland for agricultural or horticultural purposes; acquisition for recreation and conservation purposes properties in the floodways of the Delaware River, Passaic and Raritan rivers and their tributaries that are flood prone. It would also fund historic preservation projects.

Question 4 amends wording in the state Constitution concerning denial of the right to vote by deleting the phrase, “idiot or insane person,” and putting in its place a “person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting” shall not enjoy the right of suffrage.

Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com