DOVER — As of November 6, 2024, unofficial election results have been released for Dover’s Third Ward council seat. Veronica Velez won the seat with 643 votes (58.67%), while Councilwoman Karol Ruiz, running as an independent candidate after losing the Democratic endorsement, received 404 votes (36.86%). Jhon Londono garnered 44 votes (4.01%), and there were 5 write-in votes (0.46%), with a total of 1,096 votes cast.
Velez campaigned as part of the Rescue Dover team.
Ruiz’s decision to run independently came after her loss to Velez in the Democratic committee’s endorsement, where Velez received 16 votes to Ruiz’s 5.
Ruiz’s independent candidacy raised questions about New Jersey’s “Sore Loser Law,” which prevents candidates who lose in a primary from running as independents in the general election. Legal experts noted that New Jersey courts have upheld this law in recent cases, possibly affecting Ruiz’s eligibility.
During her campaign, Ruiz set a fundraising record for an individual ward candidate in Dover, raising over $17,000 since January. She emphasized her dedication to serving the community and providing an independent voice on the town council.
In other Dover campaigns Dover’s First Ward Town Council seat, Incumbent Sandra Wittner secured a decisive victory with 527 votes, accounting for 63.65% of the total. Her opponent, Nancy Pino, received 298 votes. This outcome reflects Wittner’s strong support within the community.
Dover’s Second Ward Town Council seat, incumbent Democratic candidate Geovani Estacio Carillo secured a decisive victory with 693 votes, accounting for 60.51% of the total. His opponent, Republican Danny A. Jenkins, received 453 votes, representing 39.49%. This outcome reflects Estacio’s strong support within the community.
Dover’s Fourth Ward Town Council seat, Marcos Tapia, running unopposed, received 509 votes, capturing 92.88% of the total.
The Election Night Reporting System, courtesy of the Morris County Clerk, has been diligently updating the numbers, offering the public real-time insight into the vote. While these figures provide an early look, officials remind residents that results are unofficial until every ballot has been accounted for. This includes any provisional ballots cast at polling stations and mail-in ballots that arrived after polls closed but were postmarked in time.
