DunellenNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Dunellen Borough Council Election 2026

2 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 6 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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Early in-person voting (Oct 24): the election office's notice

These 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.

Voters borough-wide choose up to two of the four candidates for two three-year Borough Council seats.

Early in-person voting · Oct 24

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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.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

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.

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

What the next council decides

01Downtown redevelopment and PILOTs4 sourced facts

Where it standsDunellen has used redevelopment plans and PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreements to bring new apartment and mixed-use projects to its downtown.

What's on the tableWhich new sites to study for redevelopment, and the terms of redevelopment and PILOT agreements with developers.

02Affordable housing and South Second Street4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted a redevelopment plan for 130 South Second Street (Block 85, Lot 3) and conditionally named K. Hovnanian as its redeveloper.

What's on the tableWhether to sign a redevelopment agreement for the South Second Street townhouses and how to meet the borough's Fourth Round affordable housing plan.

03Budget and property taxes3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget on May 4, 2026.

What's on the tableThe 2027 budget and how much to raise through property taxes.

04Sewer rates4 sourced facts

Where it standsHomeowners pay a $375 flat sewer rate in 2026; a usage-based charge is added starting in 2027.

What's on the tableFuture sewer rates and the sewer capital improvement plan.

05Dunellen Train Station3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe borough is seeking funding for a new, modernized and fully accessible Dunellen Train Station.

What's on the tableHow the borough advocates for the project and any local share of its cost.

2 notes on these statements

Elizabeth VanDermark was selected in October 2025 to fill the vacancy left by the death of Councilman Harold VanDermark, for a term expiring December 31, 2026. Dunellen Borough Council meeting minutes, October 20, 2025 · Oct 20, 2025

As of October 20, 2026, none of the four candidates (David A. Kraemer, Crisol-Iris Lantz, Douglas L. Meyer, Elizabeth VanDermark) had responded to the VOTE411 questionnaire. VOTE411 (League of Women Voters)

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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. 1. Should Dunellen keep growing its downtown through redevelopment projects?

  2. 2. Should the borough keep offering PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreements to developers?

  3. 3. Should the borough move ahead with the 30-unit townhouse project at 130 South Second Street?

  4. 4. What should come first in Dunellen's municipal budget?

  5. 5. How should Dunellen charge homeowners for sewer service?

  6. 6. How hard should Dunellen push for a new, fully accessible train station?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted7 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): Teresa Albertson, Jason F. Cilento, Trina Rios, William Scott, Daniel Cole Sigmon2 on this ballot

6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

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