EmersonNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Emerson 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

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 12 days left

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General election day (Nov 3): 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 choose one of two candidates for mayor and up to two of four candidates for two at-large Borough Council seats.

General election day · Nov 3

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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

01Block 419 downtown redevelopment4 sourced facts

Where it standsCitizen Emerson Station, the downtown Block 419 project, is still unfinished and the borough and its redeveloper have sued each other.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to settle with the redeveloper or keep pursuing court action to complete the project.

02Budget and property taxes3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget in May 2026; the borough auditor said it carries a 1.9 cent tax increase.

What's on the tableThe next council will write and adopt the 2027 budget and set the municipal tax levy.

03Boroughwide property revaluation3 sourced facts

Where it standsEmerson is starting a revaluation of all real property, ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the revaluation and budget for its cost.

04Affordable housing and local zoning3 sourced facts

Where it standsEmerson adopted its Round Four affordable housing ordinances in March 2026 and opposes state bill S-1836 on local zoning.

What's on the tableThe next council will handle further affordable housing zoning and respond to state housing legislation.

05Flooding and drainage2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe borough has federal and state money for drainage projects and awarded the West End Phase I drainage bid in July 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide on later phases of drainage work and how to pay for them.

  • The mayor said the borough obtained two appropriations totaling nearly $2,000,000 in federal funds for drainage in the Forest Ave/Jordan Road and Vivian Avenue/Dorchester Road areas. Borough of Emerson · Jan 6, 2026
  • The council approved Resolution 220-26 awarding the bid for the West End Phase I Drainage Improvements Project in July 2026. Borough of Emerson · Jul 14, 2026
3 notes on these statements

Venessa Manzano entered the race after Jose Organ, who won the Democratic primary in June, withdrew his candidacy. New Jersey Globe

Republicans currently hold every seat on the Borough Council. New Jersey Globe

The official sample ballot lists Danielle DiPaola and Joseph Solimando III for mayor, and Michael Timmerman, Ashley Rice, Julia Guttilla and Venessa Manzano for two council seats. Bergen County Clerk · Nov 3, 2026

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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. How should the borough handle the stalled Block 419 downtown project?

  2. 2. Should the council have adopted the 2026 budget with its 1.9 cent tax increase?

  3. 3. Should Emerson move ahead now with the boroughwide property revaluation?

  4. 4. Should Emerson adopt the Round Four affordable housing zoning ordinances?

  5. 5. Should Emerson oppose state bill S-1836, which officials say limits local zoning?

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 voted6 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Nicole Argenzia, Megan Ciolino, O'Neil Ellis, Ashley Sayers2 on this ballot

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

  • Emerson has a Borough Council form of government with a mayor elected to a four-year term and six council members elected at large to staggered three-year terms. Borough of Emerson
  • The mayor does not have a vote on the council but may vote in the case of a tie. Borough of Emerson
  • The Borough Council exercises all legislative powers, including adoption of the municipal budget and bond ordinances. Borough of Emerson

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