Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Fort Lee Borough Council Election 2026

2 of 6

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

4 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

Borough Council · Vote for up to 2

Rosana Condina1sourced
Bryan DrumgooleIncumbentFort Lee councilman, 2026 Council President and owner of The Finest Construction. He retired from law enforcement and was chief of the Fort Lee Volunteer Fire Department in 2021.7sourced
Giovanna SuraceRepublican candidate for Fort Lee Borough Council in 2026, making her second bid for the Borough Council.1sourced
Paul YoonIncumbentFort Lee councilman first elected in 2018 and a partner at the law firm Florio Perrucci Steinhardt and Fader. He previously served as an assistant prosecutor in the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.7sourced

Voters choose up to two of four candidates for two Borough Council seats; the mayor is not on this ballot.

1 note on these statements

Giovanna Surace is making her second bid for Borough Council. New Jersey Globe

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Joseph CervieriCouncilmember; term ends 20276sourced Ila KasofskyCouncilmember; term ends 20284sourced Harvey SohmerCouncilmember; term ends 20276sourced Mark SokolichMayor2sourced Peter SuhCouncilmember; term ends 20282sourced

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesBudget, cost pressures and the spending cap, Redevelopment plans, Capital borrowing Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Budget, cost pressures and the spending cap

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget on June 18, 2026, after adopting an ordinance letting appropriations rise by up to 3.5%.

What's on the tableThe next council will work on the 2027 budget and decide again whether to exceed the state's 2% cap.

The cap ordinance found a 1.50% increase, $1,134,602.84 above what the cap law otherwise permits, advisable and necessary. Borough of Fort Lee · Jun 18, 2026
The adopted 2026 budget raises $78,537,399.91 for municipal purposes. Borough of Fort Lee · Jun 18, 2026
In April 2026 the Mayor announced a borough-wide hiring freeze with exceptions for essential personnel. Borough of Fort Lee · Apr 16, 2026

Redevelopment plans

Where it standsThe council adopted a redevelopment plan for Area 14 at 453-459 Main Street on Aug. 13, 2026, and introduced an Area 11 plan for "The Presidential".

What's on the tableThe next council will decide further redevelopment plans and how they fit into borough zoning.

The Area 14 plan covers Block 4551, Lots 3, 4, 5 and 6 and amends the zoning map to include the redevelopment area. Borough of Fort Lee · Aug 13, 2026
The Area 11 ordinance adopts a redevelopment plan for Block 2252, Lot 1, with a public hearing scheduled for Sept. 17, 2026. Borough of Fort Lee · Aug 13, 2026

Capital borrowing

Where it standsThe council adopted a bond ordinance on Aug. 13, 2026 appropriating $1,858,600 for capital improvements.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide further capital projects and how to finance them.

The bond ordinance authorizes issuing $1,765,670 in bonds or notes and includes a $92,930 down payment. Borough of Fort Lee · Aug 13, 2026

Retail pet store sales

Where it standsAn ordinance prohibiting retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats was introduced on Aug. 13, 2026, with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 17, 2026; the result is not in the published minutes yet.

What's on the tableThe council decides whether to adopt the ordinance amending Chapter 138 of the municipal code.

Ordinance 18-2026 amends Chapter 138 of the municipal code to prohibit retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats. Borough of Fort Lee · Aug 13, 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. How should Fort Lee handle the state spending cap in its annual budget?
2. How should the council handle redevelopment plans for individual sites?
3. How should the borough pay for capital improvements?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineBergen CountyOct 13, 2026
Early voting begins (through Nov. 1, Jack Altar Community Center)Borough of Fort LeeOct 24, 2026
General election day (polls 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)Bergen CountyNov 3, 2026

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): Joseph Cervieri, Ila Kasofsky, Harvey Sohmer, Mark Sokolich, Peter Suh2 on this ballot

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

The two council seats on the 2026 ballot are for new three-year terms. New Jersey Globe
Democrats hold every seat on the Borough Council and have held a majority since 1982. New Jersey Globe

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