Last updated: Nov. 4, 2:45 p.m. Unofficial results from the Salem County Clerk’s Office as of 2:20 p.m.
Hassler and Ayars flip both commissioner races from Republican to Democratic leads
Democrats lead both Salem County Commissioner races, according to unofficial results from the Salem County Clerk’s Office. Early voting is complete, but vote-by-mail ballots are only partially reported, so the results are not final and could still change.
In the race for the three-year term, Charles Hassler (D) leads Ed Ramsay (R), 10,705 votes (52.28%) to 9,728 (47.51%), a margin of 977 votes. In the race for the one-year unexpired term, John “Buddy” Ayars (D) leads Paul M. Collier (R), 10,462 (50.43%) to 10,253 (49.42%), a margin of 209 votes. Write-ins totaled 43 and 30.
As of 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, the clerk’s site showed 20,937 ballots counted from all 43 districts, a turnout of 41.5% of the county’s 50,497 registered voters. That includes 3,705 early votes, 13,820 Election Day ballots and 3,407 vote-by-mail ballots. The county has not said how many vote-by-mail ballots remain to be counted, and it is not clear which candidates they favor.
How the commissioner races have changed
- Tuesday, 10:57 p.m.: Republicans led both races, with no vote-by-mail ballots counted. Ramsay led Hassler by 628 votes (8,662 to 8,034), and Collier led Ayars by 1,261 votes (9,114 to 7,853).
- Wednesday, 12:07 a.m.: Hassler took the lead in the three-year race, 9,483 to 9,290, a margin of 193 votes. Collier still led Ayars 9,763 to 9,288 in the one-year race. The site showed 1,724 vote-by-mail ballots counted.
- Wednesday, 2:20 p.m.: Hassler led by 977 votes. Ayars took the lead from Collier by 209 votes. The site showed 3,407 vote-by-mail ballots counted.
Changes since 12:07 a.m. Wednesday (as of 2:20 p.m.)
Vote-by-mail ballots counted rose from 1,724 to 3,407, and total ballots counted rose from 19,254 to 20,937 (turnout from 38.1% to 41.5%). All results are unofficial.
Commissioner, three-year term: Hassler went from 9,483 to 10,705 and Ramsay from 9,290 to 9,728. Hassler (D) leads by 977 votes, up from 193.
Commissioner, one-year unexpired term: Ayars went from 9,288 to 10,462 and Collier from 9,763 to 10,253. Ayars (D) now leads by 209 votes. Collier led by 475 at 12:07 a.m.
Carneys Point Township Committee (two seats): Johnson went from 1,034 to 1,354, Logan from 967 to 1,265, Pelura from 914 to 1,104 and Shaw from 867 to 1,041. Johnson (D) and Logan (D) lead. Logan’s lead over Pelura grew from 53 to 161 votes.
Carneys Point School Board (one seat): Rasin went from 1,008 to 1,295 and Tinsley from 814 to 991. Rasin leads.
Woodstown Borough Council (two seats): Essentially unchanged, with each candidate gaining one vote. Godshall (D) 728 and Dominy (D) 676 lead. Bobbitt has 646 and Hackett 639.
Quinton School Board (three seats): No change. Ehle (574), Reese (572) and Longo (531) lead. Nacucchio is 13 votes behind Longo at 518.
Oldmans Township Committee (two seats): No meaningful change. Sparks (R) 503 and Porch (R) 464 lead.
Penns Grove Borough Council (two seats): No meaningful change. Scott (D) 510 and Carter (D) 487 lead.
Salem City Council, East Ward: No change. Gregory (D) leads, 283 to 114.
Pittsgrove/Elmer School Board (three seats): No meaningful change. Cushane-Miranda (2,572), Hack (2,485) and Foster (2,462) lead.