Meet Bernards Township Committee Candidates in Three-Way Race

Three candidates, a Democrat, an Independent and a Republican just appointed in August to fill a vacancy on the all-GOP Bernards Township Committee, are scheduled to appear next week at a public forum, to include a question and answer period, prior to the November 5 election for the one spot available this year on the Township Committee.

The  Bernards Township Committee Candidates Forum is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the Performing Arts Center at Ridge High Schoo1, 268 S. Finley Ave., in Basking Ridge.  

The League of Women Voters of Somerset County together with the Ridge High School Empowerment for Political Participation (REPP) will host the public discussion of issues and questions from the public. 

The public is encouraged to attend and participate, according to information from Ridge High School.

Bernards Township Committee candidates, Carol Bianchi, a Republican, Democrat David Ferdinand and Bill O’Connors, who filed for the one three-year term on the Township Committee up for election this year, are scheduled to participate.

League member Terry Thompson, who is not a resident of Bernards Township, will be the moderator. 

The format will consist of opening and closing statements from each candidate and approximately 60 minutes of questions from the audience, according to a release on the forum.

Each candidate will have the opportunity to answer the questions and the opportunity for a rebuttal, according to the format. No remarks of a personal or abusive nature will be permitted. Following closing statements, the forums will close with informal discussion with the candidates.

Last day to register to vote is Tuesday, Oct. 15

The League encourages all registered voters to vote in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.  

The last day to register is Tuesday, Oct. 15. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail is Tuesday, Oct. 29 or Monday, Nov. 4 if you apply in person, according to information from the league.

Citizens may now vote by mail without a special reason by completing the application to vote by mail and returning it to the Somerset County Clerks’ office in Somerville seven days prior to the election, or in person until 3 p.m. the day before the election, according to the league. No faxes or emails are accepted unless voters are in the military or an oversees voter. For more voting information, log onto www.lwvnj.org.

The REPP is a student-run, non-partisan club at Ridge High School that has the support of the Ridge High School Administration. 

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, political organization whose purpose is to promote political responsibility and the informed and active participation in government.  For more information about the League of Women Voters of Somerset County, please email lwvsomersetcounty@gmail.com.