Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Elizabeth City Council Election 2026

7 of 9

council seats up

7 contests

10 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council 1st Ward · Unopposed

Carlos TorresIncumbentRepresents the 1st Ward on the Elizabeth City Council.6sourced

City Council 2nd Ward · 1 seat

Glenn MaldonadoRepublican candidate for the 2nd Ward seat on the Elizabeth City Council.1sourced
Isaias J. RiveraMember of the Elizabeth Board of Education since 2023 and the Elizabeth Planning Board since 2013.3sourced

City Council 3rd Ward · Unopposed

Kevin KinieryIncumbentRepresents the 3rd Ward on the Elizabeth City Council.7sourced

City Council 4th Ward · Unopposed

Carlos CedeñoIncumbentSenior pastor of Christ Fellowship Church and founder of The Bridge Youth Program. A former Elizabeth Board of Education commissioner, he also serves as a chaplain for the New Jersey State Police.8sourced

City Council 5th Ward · Unopposed

William Gallman, Jr.IncumbentRepresents the 5th Ward on the Elizabeth City Council.7sourced

City Council 6th Ward · 1 seat

City Council At-Large · 1 seat

All six ward seats and one at-large seat are on the ballot: each voter picks one candidate in their own ward and one for the citywide at-large seat.

3 notes on these statements

Carlos Torres (1st Ward), Kevin Kiniery (3rd Ward), Carlos Cedeño (4th Ward) and William Gallman, Jr. (5th Ward) are the only candidates on the ballot for their seats. Union County Clerk · Sep 3, 2026

The same ballot carries a city public question on restoring a $20 yearly cap on rent increases. Union County Clerk

The Dec. 13, 2022 minutes record Ordinance 5755 (removing the $20 rent cap) as adopted 8-0, including yes votes from Carlos Cedeño, who said in the debate that he did not support removing the cap, and Frank O. Mazza, who said he agreed with him. Elizabeth City Council minutes, Dec. 13, 2022 · Dec 13, 2022

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Manny Grova, Jr.Practicing attorney and lifelong Elizabeth resident; City Council president since Jan. 1, 2026.4sourced Patricia Perkins-AugusteCouncilwoman-at-Large; term ends 20287sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decides$20 rent-increase cap (ballot question), Renewing rent control, Cannabis rules Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

$20 rent-increase cap (ballot question)

Where it standsYearly rent increases in Elizabeth's rent-controlled apartments are limited to 3%; on Nov. 3 voters decide whether to add back a $20 limit.

What's on the tableThe council writes and amends the rent control ordinance, including the yearly increase limit.

The ballot question asks whether to add a $20 annual cap so no landlord may raise base rent by more than 3% or $20, whichever is less. Union County Clerk
In December 2022 the council adopted Ordinance 5755, which removed the $20 limit and left 3% as the maximum yearly increase. Elizabeth City Council minutes, Dec. 13, 2022 · Dec 13, 2022
The city clerk received an initiative petition on June 10, 2025, to add a twenty-dollar limit back to the rent control ordinance. Elizabeth City Council minutes, July 22, 2025 · Jul 22, 2025
A Union County judge ordered the question onto the November 2026 ballot after dismissing a lawsuit brought by landlords. NJ.com

Renewing rent control

Where it standsElizabeth's rent control law is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2026, unless the council extends it.

What's on the tableWhether to extend the rent control law, and for how long.

In December 2024 the council adopted Ordinance 6072, extending the rent control law to Dec. 31, 2026. Elizabeth City Council minutes, Dec. 10, 2024 · Dec 10, 2024
A Sept. 10, 2026 letter from the business administrator asks the council to extend the rent control law through Dec. 31, 2028. Elizabeth City Council agenda, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026

Cannabis rules

Where it standsCannabis consumption areas have been disallowed since 2025, and city planners asked the council in 2026 to cap the number of cannabis licenses.

What's on the tableHow many cannabis businesses to license, and where and how they may operate.

In January 2025 the council adopted an ordinance disallowing cannabis consumption areas, after residents raised concerns about traffic, noise and odors. Elizabeth City Council minutes, Jan. 28, 2025 · Jan 28, 2025
A March 30, 2026 letter from the planning director asked the council to cap cannabis licenses, including eight retail licenses. Elizabeth City Council minutes, April 14, 2026 · Apr 14, 2026

Detention centers and the old county jail

Where it standsThe closed Union County Jail sits in Elizabeth, and the council has asked the Planning Board to bar detention centers, jails and prisons in the city.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt land-use limits on detention centers, jails and prisons.

In April 2025 the council urged the Planning Board to amend the Master Plan to prohibit the construction, expansion or operation of detention centers, jails and prisons. Elizabeth City Council minutes, April 8, 2025 · Apr 8, 2025
At the same meeting the council asked the county commissioners to reconsider the planned auction of 15 Elizabethtown Plaza, the Union County Jail site. Elizabeth City Council minutes, April 8, 2025 · Apr 8, 2025
Union County commissioners voted 6-3 to seek proposals for the closed 1,000-bed jail. New Jersey Globe

Long-term tax exemptions (PILOTs)

Where it standsThe council votes on each long-term tax exemption for redevelopment projects, including transfers to new owners.

What's on the tableWhich projects get long-term tax exemptions, and on what conditions.

In January 2025 the council voted 0-8 against transferring the tax exemption for 620 First Avenue to a new owner. Elizabeth City Council minutes, Jan. 14, 2025 · Jan 14, 2025
In April 2026 the council voted 9-0 to transfer that exemption to Magill Center Urban Renewal, LLC, on conditions including a $30,000 escrow. Elizabeth City Council minutes, April 14, 2026 · Apr 14, 2026

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. A ballot question would limit yearly rent increases in rent-controlled apartments to 3% or $20, whichever is less. Today the limit is 3%. What should the rule be?
2. Elizabeth's rent control law expires at the end of 2026 unless the council extends it. What should the council do?
3. Should Elizabeth allow cannabis consumption areas, where adults can use cannabis on site?
4. Should Elizabeth's land-use rules bar new detention centers, jails and prisons in the city?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineNew Jersey Division of ElectionsOct 13, 2026
In-person early voting begins (runs through Nov. 1)New Jersey Division of ElectionsOct 24, 2026
Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mailNew Jersey Division of ElectionsOct 27, 2026
Election DayNew Jersey Division of ElectionsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Manny Grova, Jr., Patricia Perkins-Auguste7 on this ballot

9 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.

The Elizabeth City Council has nine members. City of Elizabeth
Three council members are elected at large and six represent the city's wards. City of Elizabeth
Summit’s 1st and 2nd Ward Council Member seats have three-year terms. Union County Clerk · Sep 3, 2026
Manny Grova, Jr. has been City Council president since Jan. 1, 2026. City of Elizabeth

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