We're Transitioning Into General Election Mode
The site is being updated — stay connected as the campaign season unfolds.

Learn More As we shift from the primary to the general election season, this site is currently in a transitional phase. Over the next month or so, some pages may still reflect outdated primary content, and candidate information for the general election may appear incomplete.

This is expected. It’s still early in the season, and many candidates are just beginning to shape their campaigns. We're also waiting on official materials — including full candidate lists and contact info from sources like the Millville City Clerk — before building out new pages.

While that information trickles in, we’re using this time to raise awareness of the project:
  • We're collecting emails for our new Substack newsletter, where voters can get updates directly in their inbox.

  • We're continuing our weekly radio show on 92.1 WVLT every Tuesday from 5–6pm.

  • We'll be out at community events like the Cumberland County Fair and other public meetings to keep building trust and visibility.


Thanks for your patience while the site evolves. If you're new here, now's a great time to subscribe to email updates or catch up on our interviews and candidate transparency work so far.

📣 Connect with us:
Facebook YouTube Substack WVLT Facebook

Learn More Regarding Multiple Platforms

When I first started InformTheVoteNJ, it became clear that local election information wasn’t hard to understand — it was just hard to find.

Some candidates had websites. Others posted sporadically on social media. A few only spoke during committee meetings. There was no centralized pipeline, and voters were left to piece things together. My goal is to make those connections clearer, easier, and more consistent than when I started — no matter where you like to tune in.

🧭 Different Tools for Different People


Not everyone uses technology the same way. So instead of expecting voters to all follow one channel, I’m using a mix of formats:


  • 📬 Email Newsletters (Substack): for people who avoid social media

  • 🎥 YouTube: for people who prefer video content and interviews

  • 💬 Facebook Group: for those who like ongoing posts and discussion threads

  • 📻 WVLT 92.1 FM Radio: for those who want to tune in live on the radio, stream on Facebook, or catch prior episodes in the Facebook group

  • 🌐 This Website: for structured, long-term reference

Each of these serves a different type of voter — and that’s important.

📌 The Website Is the Final Destination

While it’s great when voters follow along year-round, the reality is: people are busy. Not everyone has time to stay engaged every week. That’s why the website matters.

When primary or general elections are near, voters deserve a reliable place to:

  • Catch up on what happened during the campaign season
  • Compare candidate messaging with real issue summaries
  • Make confident, informed choices without going down every rabbit hole

This site is not meant to be a daily newsfeed — it’s meant to be a voter’s guide, especially in those final days and weeks when decisions are made.

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Larae Smith Interview Summary

Read to get a quick breakdown of the 1.5 hour interview.

In this wide-ranging and insightful interview, Larae Smith shares her deep local roots, extensive civic leadership, and motivations for seeking a seat on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. She calls for greater government transparency through simplified information sharing, advocates for rebuilding local press, and champions the reintroduction of civics education to increase voter engagement. Smith also addresses urgent policy challenges including the homelessness crisis, post-COVID education gaps, and looming service cuts. She emphasizes the need for action-oriented planning, stronger volunteer networks, and leveraging community assets—from retired professionals to youth leaders. On infrastructure, Smith offers candid commentary on stalled projects like the Nabb Ave Extension and middle-mile broadband expansion, while raising the potential of grassroots ballot initiatives and tourism partnerships as tools for revitalizing Cumberland County.
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Pignatelli Interview

Watch to meet Larae and get a great overview of her platform.
KNOW WHO YOU ARE VOTING FOR

VIDEOS

2024 InformTheVoteNJ Interview With Justin Barbera

📋 Click here for full interview summary 📋

In this full-length interview, NJ Republican gubernatorial candidate Justin Barbera shares his background as a father of three and contractor, and outlines his grassroots campaign to bring practical, conservative leadership to Trenton. Hosted by Steven Solof of InformTheVoteNJ.com, the conversation covers Barbera’s key platform pillars—ending sanctuary policies and supporting ICE, cracking down on government waste and corrupt contracts, restoring practical education like trades and civics, securing elections through paper ballots, reducing healthcare and insurance costs using NJ’s population scale, and defending gun rights with expanded Second Amendment protections. Barbera emphasizes his connections to South Jersey, citing family property in Cumberland County and local engagement efforts, and proposes infrastructure improvements like broadband expansion and recycled asphalt roadwork. He advocates for better civic awareness through county-run voter info platforms and calls for NJ colleges to help rebuild local press by assigning journalism students to political coverage. Barbera presents himself as an unbought outsider committed to restoring common sense, empowering working families, and shaking up the state’s political establishment.

⏳ Click to view timestamps, topics, and takeaways ⏳

Interview Summary – Justin Barbera

This table highlights the key topics covered in the interview, summarizing major takeaways per section.

Timestamp Topic Key Takeaways
0:00 Introduction & Why InformTheVoteNJ.com Exists Steven introduces the site’s mission. Barbera agrees the media is biased and it’s hard for voters to find honest candidate info.
3:30 Barbera’s Background & Entry Into Politics Father of three, contractor, outsider. Running to provide a fresh, unfiltered voice in NJ politics.
6:45 Agenda Item 1: Public Safety & Immigration Opposes sanctuary policies, supports ICE, favors NJ residents, and proposes voluntary deportation incentives.
9:55 Agenda Item 2: Corruption & Government Waste Backs DOGE initiative, seeks contract reform, energy policy overhaul, and exposure of corrupt nonprofit practices.
11:45 Agenda Item 3: Education Reform Wants practical education including trades, agriculture, and union prep. Opposes bias in school curriculum.
16:45 Election Integrity & Civic Culture Supports secure paper ballots over machines. Wants to build civic awareness, possibly through a state app.
26:15 COVID, Vaccines & Public Health Opposes mandates and lockdowns. Advocates for medical freedom and parental choice on health matters.
28:55 Policy 5756, PBIS, & School Discipline Criticizes unclear policies. Opposes PBIS. Supports clearer, traditional discipline structures and parental rights.
36:40 Gun Rights & Insurance Reform Supports stand-your-ground laws, unlimited magazines, and cracking down on inflated insurance costs.
40:00 Cumberland County Engagement Highlights ties to the region. Supports agriculture and expanding access to healthy food in rural areas.
44:40 Nabb Ave Extension & Roadbuilding Innovation Proposes using recycled asphalt and new technology to fix roads efficiently and reduce red tape.
48:30 Middle Mile Broadband Supports rural broadband as critical infrastructure. Open to using the fastest tech to connect underserved areas.
52:15 East Point Lighthouse & Prison Labor Proposal Suggests using nonviolent inmates to help restore historic sites and gain job training.
54:30 Candidate Info & County Outreach Reform Supports county-managed forums, video interviews, and voter guides. Wants to unify access through a state or county app.
57:45 Rebuilding Local Press Proposes NJ colleges assign students to cover local news and rebuild trust in political reporting.
1:01:30 Final Pitch: Why Vote Barbera? Frames himself as an honest, unbought outsider fighting for working-class people and real reform.

2025 InformTheVoteNJ Interview With Douglas Albrecht



📋 Click here for full interview summary 📋

In this 55-minute radio interview, Commissioner Doug Albrecht joins InformTheVoteNJ.com's Steven Solof for a wide-ranging conversation about his re-election campaign, the current state of county affairs, and long-term priorities. Although the Cumberland County Regular Republican Organization provides a platform bio outlining some of Albrecht’s stances, he does not have a dedicated campaign website. This interview is intended to go deeper—giving voters a chance to hear him explain his work in his own words.

Fiscal Responsibility and Measurable Results:
Albrecht discusses key strategies like holding the line on taxes for three consecutive years while highlighting improvements in public health rankings and infrastructure upgrades across the county.

Modernization and Emergency Response:
The conversation touches on efforts to stabilize core county functions, expand broadband access in rural areas, and respond to public emergencies effectively. Projects like the Middle Mile fiber initiative and South Ave Culvert are explored in detail.

Transparency and Public Communication:
Steven introduces the idea of a quarterly report to help bridge the information gap between elected officials and residents. Albrecht agrees this could improve public understanding and address the challenge of under-communicated government work.

Civic Engagement and Education:
Albrecht emphasizes the importance of teaching local civics in schools, instilling a deeper sense of pride in community participation and awareness of how county government impacts daily life.

Final Thoughts:
Whether you're lightly engaged or ready to go down the rabbit hole, this interview offers a rare, direct window into the mindset and leadership style of one of Cumberland County’s long-serving commissioners. It's a valuable listen for anyone curious about what’s being done—and what could still be improved—in county government.



⏳ Click to view timestamps, topics, and takeaways ⏳

Interview Summary – Douglas Albrecht

This table highlights the key topics covered in the interview, summarizing major takeaways per section.

Timestamp Topic Key Takeaways
0:00 Intro & InformTheVoteNJ.com Albrecht introduces the show and Steven Solof. Steven explains how InformTheVoteNJ.com began and why it's important to create an accessible hub for campaign information.
11:45 Albrecht's Race & Role of the Interview Albrecht explains that he’s unopposed in the primary and appreciates this opportunity for direct voter Q&A, since campaign materials often leave out key context.
12:45 Incumbent Logic & “If It Ain’t Broke” Framing Discussion opens on Albrecht’s accomplishments: 3 years without a tax increase, improved health rankings (from 21st to 20th), 7 of 8 union contracts settled to retain staff, legacy lawsuit settlements, jail workforce stabilization, and Sheriff Donato’s regional partnerships. Teamwork during county emergencies like fires and infrastructure failures is also highlighted. South Ave Culvert project is used to explain bureaucratic delays and unintended community benefits.
26:15 Nabb Avenue Extension Project Albrecht outlines the economic potential of the Nabb Ave extension. He supports using incentives instead of eminent domain. Project planning is done, but progress is stalled after federal earmarks were withdrawn.
32:45 Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Explanation of the fiber ring project designed to improve rural internet access. County missed applying for “end mile” grants. Project is currently stalled due to lack of prioritization among commissioners, despite regional examples of progress in Salem County and Vineland.
40:00 Transparency: Quarterly Report Idea Steven proposes a digestible quarterly report to improve public awareness. Albrecht agrees more should be done to share progress and acknowledges the tendency to focus on internal work without promoting it outwardly.
46:00 Advanced Manufacturing Grant for CCTEC New grant secured with help from Senator Testa. Albrecht shares a personal story of a former employee who would benefit from such a program, reinforcing the value of practical education and workforce alignment.
48:15 Increase in County Ratables (Taxable Property Value) Albrecht explains that the total taxable property value in Cumberland County increased by $1 billion in the past year. He frames this as a sign of strong local economic growth and emphasizes that this allows for expanded revenue without raising taxes—provided spending remains disciplined.
49:45 Local Civics Education & Youth Engagement Albrecht supports teaching civics more deeply in schools and reflects on his early experiences with political education. Emphasizes the importance of local government and civic pride in shaping functional communities.

InformTheVoteNJ Interview With Sean Pignatelli



📋 Click here for full interview summary 📋

In this interview with InformTheVoteNJ.com, Sean Pignatelli outlined his platform and philosophy for improving Downe Township through proactive leadership, better communication, and stronger community engagement.

Background and Motivation:
Sean shared his personal journey from vacationing in Downe as a child to becoming a full-time resident. A personal loss in 2020 motivated him to enter politics, determined to help his neighbors and raise the standard of leadership beyond the status quo.

Key Initiatives and Projects:
- Dividing Creek Park: Designed to be the township’s first community-owned park, providing a centralized location for family-friendly events like township-wide Easter egg hunts. The project is delayed due to township officials' focus on the Fortescue sewer project but is otherwise ready to proceed.
- Newport Veterans Memorial: Originally spearheaded by the Recreation Committee, the project was handed off to the Environmental and Historic Commissions. Sean emphasized the importance of honoring veterans and creating more public gathering spaces.

Transparency and Civic Engagement:
- Information Pipeline: Sean advocates for short, digestible township newsletters funded by the Green Communities Grant, ensuring residents receive clear updates without needing to dig through complicated websites.
- "Just Google It" Problem: He emphasized the flaws in assuming residents can easily find information online, pointing to confusion with projects like the Newport Veterans Memorial.
- Civic Education and Local Press: Sean supports restoring civics education in local schools, requiring candidate information packets at election filing, and rebuilding local, nonpartisan press coverage to strengthen voter knowledge.
- Technology Use: Sean recognizes that modern tools like AI can streamline fact-finding and communication when used responsibly.

Senior and Family Support:
- Seniors (via ADRC): Downe’s senior group does excellent outreach, but Sean believes key services should be available online without requiring group membership.
- Young Families (via Gateway, Visiting Angels): Programs exist but are poorly advertised. Sean wants better pipelines to connect families with services like utility assistance and nutrition programs.

Resident Engagement:
Sean’s leadership style is highly hands-on—preferring face-to-face discussions, open-door access, and even hosting public meetings at his home. He supports anonymous suggestion dropboxes to ensure residents feel comfortable sharing feedback.

Final Thoughts:
Sean concluded by emphasizing that collaboration between township and county officials could dramatically improve service delivery. He believes clear, basic communication fills major cracks in local government — and that robust voter education is essential to prevent situations where uninformed voting allows candidates like Charles Laspata, who ghosted the campaign, to still earn major support.



⏳ Click to view timestamps, topics, and takeaways ⏳

Interview Summary – Sean Pignatelli

This table highlights the key topics covered in the 45 minute interview, summarizing major takeaways per section.

Timestamp Topic Key Takeaways
0:00 – 0:22 Introduction Steven introduces InformTheVoteNJ.com and sets the purpose of the interview.
0:22 – 1:33 Origin Story Steven explains the site's origin — difficulty researching local candidates; Sean agrees voters deserve better local info.
1:33 – 3:26 Sean’s Background Sean shares his move from part-time visitor to full-time resident of Downe Township, citing the tight-knit community feel.
3:26 – 4:15 Motivation for Politics Personal loss inspired Sean to help his community and raise the standard of leadership.
4:15 – 7:45 Dividing Creek Park Unique gathering space for families and events. Project delayed due to Fortescue sewer priorities but otherwise ready to proceed.
7:45 – 12:30 "Just Google It" Problem / Information Pipeline Sean emphasizes need for simple communication (e.g., township newsletters funded by Green Communities Grant) to avoid confusion.
12:30 – 14:40 Veterans Memorial Project Project shifted to Environmental and Historic Commissions; aims to honor veterans and serve as a second community gathering space.
14:40 – 16:33 Newsletter & County Collaboration Sean advocates for collaboration between township and county, using newsletters and liaisons to bridge information gaps.
16:33 – 32:00 Civic Education, Candidate Info, Local Press, AI Sean supports local civics education, county-issued candidate info packets, rebuilding local press, and responsible use of AI tools.
32:00 – 37:45 Senior Services (ADRC) While Downe Seniors do good outreach, Sean stresses the need for accessible online information without requiring group membership.
37:45 – 39:05 Young Family Services (Gateway, Visiting Angels) Programs like Gateway exist but are poorly promoted. Sean advocates better information pipelines for young families.
39:05 – 42:55 Resident Engagement Sean prefers face-to-face conversations, promotes open-door access, and proposes anonymous dropboxes for public feedback.
42:55 – 46:59 Final Thoughts Highlights the importance of county-township collaboration, clear basic communication, and the role of voter education in preventing uninformed votes like Charles Laspata’s 40% ghost campaign support.
VOTE WITH CONFIDENCE

At Inform the Vote, our mission is to establish a new standard of civic engagement by equipping you—the citizen—with thoroughly researched, unbiased, and easily digestible information.

We believe an empowered citizenry is the cornerstone of a transparent and accountable local government. Yet, in an era where this should be the norm, both transparency and accountability often fall short. We're here to challenge this status quo.

Our platform is designed to streamline and consolidate the essential information you need to become an informed voter, breaking down the barriers that often deter civic participation in a process that can and should be more straightforward.