Residents Back Two Bloomfield Candidates in Write-In Push for Nov. 3 Council Vote

158 votes separated the first-place and second-place finishers in the first ward primary, a margin that has fueled a new write-in effort for two Democratic candidates in Bloomfield. The margin in the third ward was 273 votes. These two narrow losses have sparked organized attempts to elect Stefanie Santiago and Stephanie Bootwala in the general election scheduled for November 3. Neither candidate appears on the official ballot in any of the town's three wards.

The general election will feature three Democrats running unopposed in their respective wards. Rosalee Gonzalez seeks the first ward seat. Greg Babula runs for the second ward. Sarah Cruz campaigns for the third ward. No Republicans filed to run in this cycle. The Essex County Clerk’s Office certified the June primary results, confirming the close races that prompted the write-in campaigns.

Santiago stated that residents, not the candidates themselves, organized the write-in efforts. She noted that neighbors approached her after the primary to ask if she would consider a write-in bid. Santiago said she will not directly campaign against the primary winners but will accept the role if voters choose her names on their ballots. She described the current political choices as unsatisfying for many residents in the town.

Bootwala is also accepting the write-in campaign, though she did not organize it. She has been posting on social media about the effort and the conversations she had with residents since February. Bootwala said these interactions shaped her local advocacy and her focus on specific community issues. She expressed pride in the engagement she received from both supporters and skeptics during her initial campaign period.

The primary election results showed Gonzalez defeating Santiago by 158 votes in the first ward. Cruz defeated Bootwala by 273 votes in the third ward. The candidates ran on different slates during the primary. Gonzalez, Cruz, and Jason Martinez ran together. Babula ran with Santiago and Bootwala. Martinez did not advance to the general election in the second ward, allowing Babula to become the sole candidate on the ballot for that seat.

Write-in victories are rare in New Jersey but have occurred in municipalities where no candidates officially appeared on the ballot. Recent examples include wins in Belmar, Rocky Hill, and Fredon Township. In Bloomfield, the write-in campaigns are active in all three wards. Voters can select Santiago or Bootwala regardless of their ward, as write-in votes are counted townwide for the purpose of filling vacancies if the unopposed candidates are not elected.

Santiago emphasized that her concerns for the town remain unsolved and have worsened since her primary run. She believes the voters' will is clear despite the primary results. She hopes the candidates on the ballot will demonstrate their fitness for office. Bootwala continues to engage with residents online as Election Day approaches. Both candidates are willing to serve if the write-in campaigns succeed in outpacing the official ballot candidates.