Former Palisades Park attorney fills Bergen County Board of Elections vacancy

Kristie Cattafi, NorthJersey.com
·2 min read

HACKENSACK — The Bergen County Board of Elections commissioners have a new member to replace Paul Juliano, the county's Democratic chairman, who will start a new job as head of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

The six-person board, split between Republicans and Democrats, is responsible for processing and tallying absentee ballots, election recounts, redistricting, appointing and training poll workers, certification and inspection of polling places, issuing challenger permits and badges and overseeing compliance with the American With Disabilities Act.

Juliano served as a Board of Elections commissioner for nine years and did not pursue another term after his latest run expired.

"It has been an honor to serve on the Board of Elections," Juliano said. "I am confident the board will continue to work cooperatively across party lines to ensure the integrity of our elections."

Replacing Juliano is John Schettino, an attorney who also serves as municipal and board attorney for towns including Fairview and Ridgefield. Schettino was also recently the municipal attorney for Palisades Park, but was not rehired after a change in mayor.

Schettino said he is looking forward to being involved in the voting process, especially now that more people are voting by mail.

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"I've always been involved in local elections and saw this as an opportunity to participate from the inside instead of the outside," Schettino said.

The Democrat was sworn in last Friday along with Republican Angela M. Malagiere, who was reappointed. Board of Elections commissioners are governor-appointed positions based on the recommendations of the party chairs.

Paul Juliano, chairman of the Bergen County Democrats and the newly-appointed executive vice president of the NJSEA, in attendance for Gov. Phil Murphy's budget address in the assembly chambers of the New Jersey Statehouse on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.
Paul Juliano, chairman of the Bergen County Democrats and the newly-appointed executive vice president of the NJSEA, in attendance for Gov. Phil Murphy's budget address in the assembly chambers of the New Jersey Statehouse on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.

The remainder of the Board of Elections commissioners include Chairman Richard Miller and Margaret Frontera, who are Republicans, and Democrats Denise Ross and Jamie Lagana. Ross also replaces Juliano as secretary of the board.

Miller said he met Schettino last week and believes he will be a good addition to the board. "He is knowledgeable, and I think there will a good relationship," Miller said. "The function of the board is to make sure election results go out and are running properly. The board is split up evenly, and we work well."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Former Palisades Park attorney fills Bergen Board of Elections vacancy