05/31/2026
Preparing for Election Day requires far more than previewing the sample ballot before you cast your vote. For your vote to truly matter, you must ask some questions to add value to your vote. Otherwise you’re just casting it away.
An educated voter is the best voter. Once you ask the questions important to positive change in your community, seek answers. Be purposeful in your quest. With access to the internet, most answers are within your reach. But having an answer, unfortunately, is not enough. Dig deep! It’s not a bad idea to develop some conceptions while digging, but also prepare for some misconceptions as well. Sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know. Read that again.
You already know the purpose of a primary election. You already know who can vote and who cannot vote. You have a list of candidates and have likely received biased literature in the mail asking for your support. Most candidates win based solely on name recognition. For example, you’ve seen a sign or you’ve heard a commercial. But what do you really know? Do you know their voting record or their affiliations?
Do you know which elected officials had a hand in some of the most controversial decisions in your region? Are you familiar with their outspoken supporters who are also likely seeking public recognition (or political office) for themselves? If not, you’re not prepared yet. But unless you’ve already cast your vote by in-person early-voting or mail-in ballot, it may not be too late.
If you’ve read this far, why not read a little further. Let’s do a little online research. Here are some prompts that may yield some surprising results:
Which municipality owned the land that was sold to the developers currently building the Vineland data center? Who brokered the deal? Which elected officials appointed the authority that has consulted, authorized, and benefited from the transaction? Three simple google searches. But be warned…the rabbit whole is deep.
Not interested in the largest data center on the east coast? Perhaps schools and prisons are more interesting to you. Try this one:
Who offered property in the Bridgeton area to be developed into a new school? Which site has been chosen for the new jail? What do those sites have in common?? Which candidates are seeking support to be the new mayor in that city? Now connect dots.
Alright, one more for good measure. How was it so easy for Millville’s City Council to create and pass laws prohibiting the development of data centers? Which former school board officials served on the county improvement authority that may have simultaneously enhanced the technical school while defunding the community college? And finally, which county commissioners appointed officials to some of these boards.
Answers to any of these questions don’t merely inform your vote, but set the tone for accountability. Not everyone is up for election. But those already elected need to see that you are paying closer attention.
