On March 22, 2023, John Vukelj made history by becoming the first Albanian-American to be elected Judge in Westchester, New York. He won the election for Pleasantville Village Justice with 54 percent of the vote, defeating Michael T. Shilinski and Andrea F. D’Aria. 

The Albanian-American community in the United States is relatively small, with the majority of the population concentrated in the Northeast, particularly in New York and New Jersey. Despite their small numbers, Albanian-Americans have made significant contributions to American society, especially in the areas of politics, business, and the arts.

Vukelj’s victory is also significant for the Village of Pleasantville, a small community in Westchester County with a population of around 7,000 people. As Village Justice, Vukelj will preside over the village court and handle cases involving traffic violations, misdemeanors, and small claims. The role of Village Justice is critical in maintaining law and order in the community and upholding the rights of its citizens.

Nicole Asquith won her re-election bid for Village Trustee, while Paul Alvarez was elected to the village board. The results of the election were announced by the Westchester County Board of Elections, which oversees all elections in the county. The board is responsible for ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the election process and ensuring that every vote counts.