Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Closter Mayor & Borough Council Election 2026
2 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
Not sure who to vote for? Answer 5 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.
No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone.
How to vote · 11 days left
General election day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Mayor
1 seat- John C. Glidden Jr.IncumbentJohn C. Glidden Jr. has been Closter's mayor since 2015 and served on the council from 2004 to 2014. Before that he chaired the Bergen County Utilities Authority's board of commissioners from 1992 to 2003.7sourced
- Dolores A. WitkoDolores A. Witko is a former Closter councilwoman (2018 to 2023) and former Board of Education member. Her campaign says she served 10 years on the Closter Board of Education and is a Certified Application Counselor for the Affordable Care Act and Get Covered New Jersey.7sourced
Borough Council
Vote for up to 2- Linda AlbelliLinda Albelli, a Closter councilwoman from 2001 to 2006, leads the Closter Senior Citizens Club. Her campaign says she co-chairs the Closter 9/11 Memorial Committee and worked more than 40 years as an editorial coordinator with Pearson Higher Education.3sourced
- Christopher ChoIncumbentChristopher Cho is the Closter Council president and a property manager with Newport Vision LLC. His campaign lists him as council chair for ordinances and liaison to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Fire Department.10sourced
- Monica JethaniMonica Jethani is an attorney, a co-founder of Argentum Law and a Closter PTO board member. Her campaign says she is licensed in New Jersey, New York and Arizona and holds a law degree and a master of public health.3sourced
- Steven J. SpotoSteven J. Spoto is a Closter council candidate with experience in public service and communications. His campaign says he volunteers in local youth sports and community programs.3sourced
Voters pick one of two candidates for mayor and up to two of four candidates for two at-large Borough Council seats.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- U.S. Senate
- Cory Booker · Democratic
- Justin Murphy · Republican
- Veronica Fernandez · End the Corruption!
- Joanne Kuniansky · Socialist Workers Party
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
- Victoria Roti AmitaiCouncilwoman; term ends December 31, 20287sourced
- Jannie ChungCouncilwoman; term ends December 31, 20275sourced
- Alissa LatnerCouncilwoman; term ends December 31, 20275sourced
- Joseph YammarinoCouncilman; term ends December 31, 20285sourced
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01Affordable housing and the Fourth Round plan4 sourced facts
Where it standsIn March 2026 the council adopted ordinances rezoning parcels under the borough's Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, and construction began in January 2026 on 35 income-restricted homes at the former Village School.
What's on the tableThe next council will oversee how the rezoned parcels develop and any changes to the housing ordinances.
- A Superior Court order of May 5, 2025 fixed Closter's Fourth Round need at 16 present-need units and 241 prospective-need units. Borough of Closter · Mar 11, 2026
- Ordinance 2026:1383 states that the borough must rezone parcels for redevelopment where at least 61 affordable units may be built. Borough of Closter · Mar 11, 2026
- In the District 3A business zone, at least 20% of units in mixed-use developments must be reserved for affordable households. Borough of Closter · Mar 11, 2026
- Village School Commons at 511 Durie Ave. will include 35 income-restricted rental homes, with construction projected to finish by 2027. Northern Valley Press · Feb 3, 2026
02State land-use bills2 sourced facts
Where it standsIn May 2026 the council unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Legislature to defeat S-1836 and similar bills.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to keep taking positions on state housing and zoning legislation.
- Resolution 26-152 says S-1836 permits bypassing the local planning process. Borough of Closter · May 27, 2026
- The resolution objects that S-1836 requires only 20% of units to be affordable, with the remaining 80% at market rate. Borough of Closter · May 27, 2026
03Budget and property taxes3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget 6-0 on May 27, 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council will write the 2027 budget and decide on new borough borrowing.
- Gary Higgins of Lerch, Vinci & Bliss said the 2026 budget is about a 1% increase over last year and that the tax increase was affected by labor and electricity costs. Borough of Closter · May 13, 2026
- In April 2026 the council combined bonds from fifteen earlier ordinances into one issue of up to $10,642,000. Borough of Closter · Apr 8, 2026
- The mayor said in May 2026 that a proposed redevelopment zone to reduce the cost of a new police station was off the table. Borough of Closter · May 13, 2026
04Truck deliveries on residential streets3 sourced facts
Where it standsAfter Blanch Avenue residents complained about truck traffic and noise, the council adopted a deliveries ordinance in June 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to tighten or change the delivery rules and traffic measures.
- At the May 13, 2026 meeting, several Blanch Avenue residents described truck noise, fumes and drivers sleeping in their trucks. Borough of Closter · May 13, 2026
- Ordinance 2026:1397 sets fines of $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for later offenses. Borough of Closter · Jun 24, 2026
- Ordinance 2026:1397 was adopted on June 24, 2026, with Council President Cho absent. Borough of Closter · Jun 24, 2026
05Immigration status resolution3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted Resolution 26-120 on April 8, 2026, by a 5-1 vote.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to keep, revisit or add to resolutions on national issues like this one.
- Resolution 26-120 is titled "Expressing Closter's commitment to equal, respectful and dignified treatment of all people, regardless of their immigration status." Borough of Closter · Apr 8, 2026
- The resolution cites the Attorney General's Immigrant Trust Directive. Borough of Closter · Apr 8, 2026
- During public comment on April 8, 2026, several residents said they were glad the resolution passed. Borough of Closter · Apr 8, 2026
2 notes on these statements
The sample ballot lists John C. Glidden Jr., Christopher Cho and Monica Jethani in the Republican column and Dolores A. Witko, Linda Albelli and Steven J. Spoto in the Democratic column. Bergen County Clerk · Nov 3, 2026
Monica Jethani is running for the seat being vacated by retiring Councilwoman Anna Maroules. New Jersey Globe
No sign-in · answers stay on your phone
Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. Should Closter keep the rezoning it adopted for its affordable housing plan?
2. Should the council oppose state bills like S-1836 that let some housing projects bypass local zoning?
3. Should the council have adopted the 2026 budget, about 1% higher than last year?
4. Should Closter limit commercial delivery hours in residential areas?
5. Should the council state a commitment to equal treatment of all people regardless of immigration status?
Key dates
- General election dayBergen County Clerk · Nov 3, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
4 stay (not up this year): Victoria Roti Amitai, Jannie Chung, Alissa Latner, Joseph Yammarino2 on this ballot
6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- Closter's governing body is a mayor and six council members. Borough of Closter
- The mayor serves a four-year term and council members serve three-year terms. New Jersey Globe
- Republicans hold a 4-2 majority on the Borough Council. New Jersey Globe
Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.