MADISON – In a prepared announcement, Democratic candidates for Madison Borough Council, Councilwoman Rachel Ehrlich of Kings Road and Madison volunteer Tom Haralampoudis of Pomeroy Road, encourage all Madison residents to vote in the 2022 General Election.
The candidates stated: “We encourage all voters – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – to make their voices heard in this election by exercising their right and obligation to vote. Control of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are at stake this year. While no U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey is up for election this year, every House seat is.”
Candidate Haralampoudis noted that “if we have learned anything from the events of recent years, it is that our democracy is a precious but fragile thing. To protect it, every citizen needs to become familiar with the candidates – their records and positions – and then they need to vote. It is critical nationally and is equally important locally this year, as three County Commissioner seats, two Borough Council seats and two Board of Education seats are contested. Who wins these elections will depend on whose supporters actually vote.”
Madison voters have three options for voting this fall: voting by mail (VBM) now through November 8, early voting at Borough Hall from Saturday October 29 through Sunday, November 6, as well as on the traditional Election Day (Tuesday, November 8), voting at the voter’s assigned district polling site. For more detailed information on voting, including Madison district polling sites, voters can go to: https://madisonnjdems.com/vote/.
“Voters who have signed up to vote by mail should already have their ballots,” stated Ms. Ehrlich. “If they haven’t already done so, we encourage VBM voters to complete their ballots now and quickly return them. We recommend using the secure drop-off box located in the commuter parking lot on Kings Road behind the Madison Public Safety Building rather than the USPS.”
Ehrlich and Haralampoudis strongly endorse Mikie Sherrill for re-election to a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. “A moderate Democrat, she has done a great job serving the residents of the 11th Congressional District.” stated candidate Haralampoudis. “Mikie has been a strong advocate for women’s reproductive rights, while her current Republican opponent has called for a complete ban on abortions. She has worked hard to restore the federal deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) which was eliminated in the Republican tax bill of 2017.”
“She has also been a strong voice for protecting our environment and addressing climate change, ensuring public safety and veteran rights, and funding important infrastructure projects like the Gateway Tunnel Project and New Jersey flood remediation measures,” added Councilwoman Ehrlich. “On October 17 Mikie Sherrill announced that together with Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska, she was sponsoring a bi-partisan Automobile Theft Prevention bill that would provide state and local law enforcement agencies federal grant money to combat auto thefts.”
Regarding the local election, Candidate Haralampoudis stated: “We have certainly seen a lot of good accomplished since Rachel Ehrlich joined the Madison Borough Council in January 2020. Significant improvements have been made to stormwater and drinking water systems, the Hartley Dodge Memorial Plaza was rebuilt, plans have been approved for the construction of new affordable housing in the borough, and grant funds have been secured for the preservation of the historic Masonic Hall, where senior center programming will be offered. A new restroom facility was constructed at the Dodge Field playground; open space funding was approved for reconstruction of the playground that will make it the first ADA-compliant playground in the area; and plans are being developed for a new pickleball and basketball court at the MRC.”
Haralampoudis continued: “The Council is also taking measures to reduce carbon pollution and reduce energy costs in the borough. Public charging stations have been installed with state grants; energy-efficient windows are being installed at the DPW garage; Madison Police Department has taken delivery of their first electric vehicle for non-emergency use; and plans are being developed for Madison Electric Utility’s first solar carports at recreation parking lots and the public works complex . Earlier this year, the Council adopted a Climate Action Resolutionfor Madison,which aligns the borough with the New Jersey state Energy Master Plan to cut carbon pollution in every community and transition to 100% clean energy by 2050.”
Prior to serving on Council, Rachel Ehrlich was a member of the Madison Planning Board and served on the board’s Master Plan Subcommittee.
Tom Haralampoudis is a member of the Madison Public Library Board of Trustees, the Madison Board of Health, and is a board member for HQM, Inc. He is also president of the Madison Junior School Sports Program, a past chairman of the Madison Environmental Commission, served four years on the Madison Board of Education, and is a co-founder of the Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee.
Ehrlich and Haralampoudis concluded, “If elected, we will continue to serve Madison with the good governance that our town expects and deserves – government that is sensitive to the needs of its constituents, delivers high-quality public services in a fiscally responsible manner, and is committed to preserving our safe, healthy, and resilient community.
We also ask that Madison voters consider voting for Mikie Sherrill for Congress, and T.C. McCourt, Judith Hernandez, and Alicia Sharma for County Commissioner.”
For more information on the Democratic candidates for Madison Borough Council and non-partisan voter information, please visit www.madisonnjdems.com or drop by the MDC booth at the Farmers’ Market. For more information on the Democratic candidates for Morris County Commission, please visit www.morris2022.com.
Caption: Looking forward to Election Day 2022 are (left to right) candidate for Morris County Commissioner Alicia Sharma, Madison volunteer Tom Haralampoudis, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, Councilwoman Rachel Ehrlich, and Commissioner candidate Judy Hernandez. Ehrlich and Haralampoudis are 2022 candidates for election to the Madison Borough Council. The candidates encourage every citizen to exercise their right and obligation to vote in the 2022 General Election.