MORRIS COUNTY – In a case brought before the Superior County of New Jersey by Adam Kandil (Petitioner), alongside the Parsippany Municipal Clerk, Morris County Clerk, and Morris County Board of Elections (Respondents), it has come to light that the Morris County Board of Elections has failed to initiate a “Recount or Recheck” of the General Election results for the Township Council position.
On November 29, 2023, Superior Court Judge Stuart Minkowitz rejected the Morris County Board of Elections’ request to revisit the Court’s November 21 decision to “Postpone the Recount and Recheck until December 12.”
During the General Election held on Tuesday, November 9, Parsippany Council Candidate Judy Hernandez, a Democrat, initially secured the fourth position for the three open seats in the all-Republican town. However, following the tallying of provisional and last-minute mail-in ballots on November 15, Hernandez surged to third place, leading Adam Kandil by only two votes. Her victory was officially certified on November 22 by Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi.
As of the current date, the Morris County Board of Elections has yet to conclude the recount and disclose the results for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township election held on November 9.
Judge Minkowitz also issued an order, stating, “Respondents shall maintain the impoundment of the machines and, except for the purpose of conducting the Recheck or as otherwise mandated by statute, shall refrain from altering the current status quo of the machines utilized in the Township of Parsippany’s General Election for the Office of Borough Councilman until the recount and recheck results have been officially certified.”
If Hernandez secures her victory, the Township Council will witness a Republican majority of 4-1, including a Republican mayor.
It’s worth noting that both Council President Loretta Gragnani and Council Vice President Michael dePierro previously announced their decision not to seek re-election. Gragnani, who served two council terms, and dePierro, who will step down at the end of his term this year, each made significant contributions to Parsippany’s Township Council, with dePierro’s tenure spanning an impressive four decades.
Adam Kandil, a newcomer to the political arena, is making his debut in public office. Kandil is a valued member of Parsippany’s Economic Development Committee.
Judy Hernandez, a Parsippany resident for 24 years, has a distinguished history of service, having previously served on the Parsippany Planning Board, and the Environmental Advisory Committee, and is currently an active board member for the Parsippany Child Day Care Center.
