As reported last night, there are 57,491 registered voters in Lakewood, but the township saw just a 32.8% turnout yesterday, with a total of 18,881 voters casting ballots in the election.
Many have told TLS they decided not to exercise their right to vote.
Why did YOU choose not to vote?
Let us know in the comments section.
Actually, I did vote, early on Tuesday morning.
I’m thinking that if someone doesn’t vote, he gets to kvetch long and loud no matter who wins – or loses.
Um… could it be because people were so confused because their moral compass was telling them to vote one way, but community leaders were telling them to vote another way?
Simple.
The Vaad told us to vote against our conscience, hence it was against our conscience to vote.
Same as the above
The vaad told us to vote against our conscience, and it was against our conscience to vote…
I personally didn’t vote and I know many many others that didn’t since the Vaad & Rabbi’s were saying to vote for Phil Murphy & just from hearing a bit about politics and seeing both candidates come to lakewood I chose to vote for Jack Ciattarelli. Being that I didn’t want to go against Daas Torah I and many others didn’t vote.
@Cham not voting is also going against Daas Torah. R’ Moshe Feinstein clearly wrote that it is a chiyuv to vote. So I votef for Murphy to listen to Daas Torah.
Me too. It was hard. But that is what listening to daas Torah means. Even if they tell you left is right, and right is left…
Daas Torah even if they tell you “right is left and left is right….” are we part of the same religion??? Can you provide a Mekor for this??? (please don’t quote Rashi on Chumash in Sefer Devarim, that’s referring to the Sanhedrin in the Lishkas Hagzis…..)
From a Hashkafa, Halachic stand point, What is considered Daas Torah is very specific, and extremely limited. The term gets thrown around way too loosely.
I voted because I’m very clear minded and not indecisive. But other people I spoke to stayed home because it was too confusing. So many different opinions every which way. The signs the phone calls the bombardment just didn’t stop so it was easier to just stay home.
People were confused and decided not to take sides. Sadly, there is now deep mistrust of the Vaad. Instead of being told to vote for pidyon shvuyim we were told to vote for pro-abortion, pro-weed, pro-mask and vaccine mandates, and for a candidate that pushes every value we don’t want our children to have.
The Vaad made a huge mistake and I hope they use this as a learning experience. If they do the right thing in the next election it might salvage whatever shred of respect people still have for them.
It was too confusing. The vaad said to vote for Murphy, but I can’t bring myself to vote someone that passed a law for assisted suicide.
We all know the “hakaros hatov” reason was overused like crazy.
You do know that Ciattarelli was one of two republican legislatures to vote with Murphy to pass the physician assisted suicide bill, right?
Who is the Vaad and why should anyone listen to them? Do people even question this? Or is a piece fo paper from a mysterious self appointed group of Balei Battim enough to influence peoples votes?
I voted. But everyone I know didn’t.
Here is why:
1) only had time after 7pm. And then the lines were 1 hour long.
2)wanted to vote for the vaad candidates, but couldn’t vote for Murphy knowing he will mandate vaccine passports and other “social issues”.
3) Didn’t feel the Vaad was convincing in they’re endorcment of Murphy. Saying we should vote for Murphy cuz “he is gonna win anyway” is a huge turnoff.
4) While the vaad represents the klal, people often feel that the details that pertain to their everyday life is overlooked and not pursued by the vaad. I.E. property tax, widening rt 9 , school vouchers and monetary costs that relate to the individual, not just schools and institutions.
If the vaad does advocate for these things, the tzibur should be informed. Better PR.
@Netanel the vaad themeselves never said we should vote for him because he will win anyway. Other people decided that was the Vaad’s reason.
It was VERY clear on the messages from the “VAAD”. Quote: “Jack is a landslide loser. Simply put a vote for Jack is a wasted vote.” 2 such messages were received on Election day from the “VAAD”.
@Anonymous I don’t know anyone who received such a message
Anonymous is correct. I can vouch that we too received robo calls from the Vaad stating that we should not vote for Jack because he is a “landslide loser”.
Well I’m sure I’m not the only one. It was a robocall. Still saved on my answering machine.
I voted for Jack even though the Vaad said to vote for Murphy. It is sad that the Vaad said to vote for someone who is responsible for the death of thousands of seniors due to his covid policies, the closure of many businesses, the lockdowns of our souls, schools, and mosdos hachinuch.
Presumably, we will now be forced to vaccinate and/or mask up again, and when it will end, nobody knows.
Really a sad commentary on the state of affairs.
I try to follow daas Torah, I didn’t get a clear answer. The vaad & the roshei Yeshiva (+ Reb Uren) said to vote one way against Reb Yeruchum and some other signs I saw hanging, I also DL wanted to vote for Jack… figured I’d stay out of it.
You have to follow YOUR daas Torah. Ask your own shaila, and just do it, no matter what other peoples’ rabbanim are telling them to do.
I did not vote because I did not trust any of the candidates. And I definitely did not trust the Vaad.
I think it’s time we “elect” a new vaad. They clearly do not have our interests in mind
I am not sure you are allowed to say you do not trust the vaad. They are daas Torah. You can always ask your own shaila to your own daas Torah, if you want to know what is the right thing to do for you.
It is like saying “I do not trust the gadol hador because he says ladies should not wear shaitels.” That is not the right approach. You ask YOUR own daas Torah, and do what you are supposed to do based on what you are told.
Not put down daas Torah that you do not understand, and that may not apply to you anyway.
I didn’t vote just because the vaad endorsed Murphy, I was very angry.
I decided to go vote early for Jack, but it was closed. So a few hours later I booked a flight to Florida to go find a better place for my family. Good luck New Jersey for the unknown that’s coming.
There is election fraud again and this time was caught on Video !!!!
Please, where can we see that video.
Most of the people I know that didn’t vote,
1)just shrugged their shoulders and said they arent interested
2)don’t really care/feel that their vote doesnt matter
3)have no trust in the election system
4)never were taught the importance of voting and view it like a joke
I regret not voting. I only read Rabbi Avigdor Miller’s opinion about voting this morning. It was emailed by toras avigdor. He writes against askonim who push yidden to vote for the democrat. Unfortunately these askonim have blood on their hands, they cause society to sink effecting our physical and spiritual health. What a grand chillul Hashem.
I could say this. It will never ever ever happen again. I will vote next time for who I believe will represent me. Period and end of story. What the leaders of Lakewood pulled off was truly atrocious and completely foolish. They could have been singlehandedly responsible for handing the election to a decent human being and they would have had a real friend in the governors office. What they got instead is a complete animal who will turn on them very shortly.
You get the government you vote for where the government you deserve to get because you didn’t vote.
So for all you losers who decided to stay home and not vote because you couldn’t vote for Murphy, your lack of voting WAS a vote for Murphy.
Thank you very much! Thank you very much when our taxes go up again! Thank you very much when our gas prices continue to go up because of the high taxes! Thank you very much for the mandates! Thank you very much for the additional socialism and this state !
This used to be a nice place to live but things to you people who sit at home and can’t vote your conscience ie, against the Democrats, you’re killing the state for everyone!
I see did not vote because they did not like what certain Askonim told them how to vote.
I think they should start to do there own askonus, And when they find out who picks up the telephone calls and the hall of the government? Then they will be invited to make their grand endorsement.
when the people they worked to help will not vote, or vote there choice(of endorsing the people that helped their community) You will be invited to make your post over here how you feel about that
I’m a busy mom and couldn’t get out. I probably would’ve voted for Murphy going along with those I trust and know better than me although I do hear the other side now. We’re in Hashem’s hands.
There was early voting, including on Sundays.
I’m also a ‘busy mom’.
I make time for what is important.
Wanna know why?
I’ll tell you why !!
I was very decided to Vote for Jack. Not even a question.
I was ready to vote.
Then the letter came out.
R’ Uren said a vote for Jack is a Chilul H-shem.
R’ Uren is my Rebbe and from the giants of our generation.
So, I didnt vote.
Period.
End of story.
If a posek issues a respected posek issues a Psak, but does not right the reason, you have to accept the Psak (unless your posek says otherwise). If a Posek does right his reasoning, and you have valid questions on his reasoning, you are allowed to question his Psak
We will never have another Republican win. They install who they want in the middle of the night. Did you know that Ocean county bought Dominion machines. The same ones that were used to cheat Trump.
Actually JAck won by a landslide in Ocean county….
While I’m not a rav, and I’m not qualified in any way to have a position on this matter- I have a thought and wonder what you all think.
Years ago when lakewood was a small town and the rabbis of the vaad were THE rabbanim, its understandable that they would be able to put out a directive and everyone would follow. But today, how much of lakewood would follow the vaads rabanim for their personal sheilos? why is it that we all go to our respective rabbis for things that pertain to actual halachos (which make a difference for deoraysa), and we also carefully chose a rabbi that is aligned with us in hashkafa, but when it comes to voting there is no longer a discussion and we all have to squeeze under the same umbrella. Jews have never subscribed to one size fits all mentality. sefaradim, ashkenazim, and chasidim despite their different views and outlook, will always love and respect another. why cant the same be said for voting. maybe you want to argue that we need to vote in a block in order to have “clout”. At what price though? is it worth losing our diversity and individuality? Why do I have to forfeit my values and my hashkafa so that the vaads position triumphs? This isnt a halacha question. or else we would be going to our individual ravs to follow his derech. The price paid today is a comunity feeling frustuated of being cheated of their rights to make a positive effect on issues that are close to their hearts.
You should ask your daas Torah this question! The answer that you get will be the right answer for YOU.
Correct. That is why so many people voted for Jack. There was NO lack or Rabbanim telling everyone who asked them to vote for Jack.
The vast majority of the Vaad is not Rabonim
why is it that for halachik questions we all go to our individual rav and follow his derech but regarding voting we are all expected to squeeze under the umbrella of the vaad. if you will argue we need to vote in a block. well at what price? today the price was paid.
Instead of the Vaad endorsing a specific candidate, they should focus their efforts on getting people to actually vote. It’ll go a lot further.
Both my parents and 3 of my siblings that are all registered to vote couldn’t find the voting area on 1555 pine Street because there were no signs or markings for parking or voting, there was one or 2 papers taped on the front door, which is partially obstructed and too far from the road to even notice safely
The strength of our unity is ironically crystal clear from the outcome. Generally speaking, our community comes out in great numbers to back the Vaad. But clearly we are not wimps. We have our own values and priorities, and when they were in conflict with the Vaad, most chose to abstain. To me it seems that the thousands of no votes were actually a vote against Murphy’s policies and a vote of respect for the Vaad.
Murphy, and other liberals,listen up. This voter block is powerful, and is watching the next moves.
Vaad, hear the silent message in order to maintain that respect so we don’t lose our valuable voter power.
More people came out to vote AGAINST Murphy and FOR jack than did in 2017.
People generally dont come out in non-presidential election years.
Dont fool yourself that ‘ppl stayed home bec of the Vaad’.
It was a good excuse to not vote, the way they always do.
Sounds like daas balabatim
Although there will always be skeptics about who really won because the vote was so close, it is quite sad that Lakewood didn’t have a larger turnout, which could have swung decisively the result either way.
To the people saying they were only able to vote after 7,
There was early voting for over a week until 8 p.m. and two Sundays until 6, this is now the law in New Jersey and will continue every single election.
If you cared enough you would have known that and gone before.
And to people saying that they were too angry at the vaad to vote, the best way to express your anger is to actually go and do what you think is best.
Yes they do the community a service by sometimes helping you get your kid into school… but other than that who appointed them in charge of telling people who to vote for? Why do people feel like they have to vote for what they say, or they’re going against the Torah?? There were plenty of opinions on both sides, so you should have done what you thought was best.
Between you and me I think most people never vote and this time they were able to find a good excuse to hock about how really they wouldhavebut didn’t… And I’m sure these are the same people who sit and complain about the govt all the time.
As an aside, we have a long mesora of Rabbanim not advising people to vote for specific candidates so publicly & I’m not sure why this yr it changed.
I didnt hear plenty of opinions on one side. Only Jack had plenty of reasons
Many people considered that since גדול המעשה יותר מן העושה that it was far more important to tell OTHERS to vote, than to go and cast their own ballots. Unfortunately, these thoughtful constituted the majority, and were יוצא ידי חובתם via posting their opinions and urgings on various chats and blogs.
That is a serious accusation.
The lesson is that we need the focus from all those that care to be “go out and vote”. That is what is important. Everything else is secondary. Lakewood could have been the decisive factor in the election if we voted. This way whomever won at least they can’t ignore us. Let’s stop the bickering and focus on our real chiyuv; being united in actual voting not in “being a bloc vote”.
As an aside all those who jumped to assume that the Vaad is responsible for Murphy’s election jumped the gun before the final results came in. He win without us. I only wish the vaad woul have explained clearly what hakaras hatov really means. It means that actions are real, while words have no value.
I voted for Jack Ciattarelli. I hope that lakewood not voting did not cause Murphy the mushchas to win. (there was cheating going on as well… polls stopped counting in middle of the night on nov 2nd when Jack was winning)
I am very disappointed in the vaad it is a big chillul hashem that they endorsed a candidate that opposes our torah values (abortion, g…ay,) additionally Jack promised to release Rabbi Eiseman, he is the one who they should have endorsed. you cannot sell your values like that…
Big mistake. The Vaad and it’s connections has moved away from the telescope to under the microscope. Stay tuned.
My husband believed we have to follow the vaad but I could not stomach voting in such a muschis
I voted and I am proud to say I made my own decision. I think every person should have a say in who THEY think is best for them. It could be I’m wrong but I don’t think in Brooklyn or other places there is a VAAD telling ppl who to vote for. Each person has to make an educated decision of who to vote for that will be best for THEMSELVES. Yes we are a community but at this point Lakewood area has gotten so big and even includes jackson and Tom’s river that attract not just one kind of lifestyle that I dont think we need to realize we need to make our OWN decision. As much respect I have for Gedolim I feel that there isnt one pack that they can give anymore to cater to this community.
Not sure I’m making any sense but it’s just my personal feeling.
I know alot of people who didnt vote because of the vaad. They ruined it for the whloe Tzibur. They do not represent the tzibur at large. They have their own interests in mind. What a Chillul Hasem to back such a person and for what values he stands for. Besides all the higher taxes nursing homes deaths ect…… . The little guy always lose when you listen to the vaad. Get rid of them !!!
I didn’t vote since I was conflicted I was not sure if perhaps if the vaad had LESS power it would be good for all of us.
See politicians dole out goodies to every power block in the state it depends what the leaders in that block priotize so if you see that our basic requests are not tended to for example widening route 9 it’s because our leaders have other priorities perhaps if we knock them down a notch we would be better off.
It is time to get rid of mail in Ballot because the Democrats are cheating and it got to end no more mail in ballots !!! I am sorry people are cheating and it got to end immediately!!! We are the people and we should vote to end mail in ballots !!!
The lines were way too long…
I haven’t seen any commenter recall that, once elected, Lev Melachim VSarim Byad Hashem. We need to vote. The main effect of our vote is to show that we are a united bloc and there is a force to contend with here. This election actually showed the opposite.
It is foolish to think that your vote will actually determine policy- campaign promises are just that. There have always been and will always be politicians making campaign promises. If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that only HKBH is in control and we cannot predict or control what will happen, regardless who is in office.
As a future suggestion, anyone who was conflicted about voting for governor could have gone out and voted and either left out the vote for governor or wrote in a protest vote. That sends a greater message than staying home does. and it supports our other elected officials in state and local positions.
Of course we all believe Lev Melachim Vsarim byad Hashem. But we must do our part. And that is the conversation here. Why did so many people not do their part??? I have full Bitachon in Hashem and couldn’t care less one bit who won because Lev Melachim Vsarim byad Hashem. But at least I know I did my part and voted for those that are less Anti Hashem and Anti Torah and Anti Life.
Bec I was in Florida.
I voted for Jack since he’s the only one that would maybe give a pardon to the blood libel that is taking place! The vaad threw rabbi eisman under the bus. Apparently they don’t care that much for the important things things and ppl thr deserve it. I don’t think they should ever endorse a candidate again! What a mess they did!