GarwoodNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Garwood Mayor & Borough Council Election 2026

3 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 8 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
Early voting begins (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 choose a mayor for a four-year term, two at-large council members for three-year terms, and one council member for an unexpired term; the mayor votes only to break ties.

Early voting begins · 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

01Paperboard redevelopment and affordable housing4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn March 2026 the council adopted an amended Paperboard Redevelopment Plan for 75 North Avenue under a court-approved affordable housing settlement, and in September it approved a second amendment to the developer agreement.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the project as it moves through site-plan review and a financial agreement with the developer.

02Flooding and the sewer system3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe mayor asked the council to fund an engineering study of the sewer system in the 2026 budget, and a retention basin study is forthcoming.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide which flood projects to pay for once the studies are done.

03Budget and taxes3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget in May 2026 after line-by-line review by its Finance Committee.

What's on the tableThe next council will write the 2027 budget within the state's caps on spending and the tax levy.

04Paid parking2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn August 2026 the council amended the borough's paid parking rules to allow free parking from December 15 to January 1.

What's on the tableThe next council will set paid parking rules and fees.

05Street safety and sidewalks2 sourced facts

Where it standsGarwood is adding sidewalks along South Avenue and repaving streets with state grants.

What's on the tableThe next council will choose road, sidewalk and traffic-safety projects and apply for grants to pay for them.

2 notes on these statements

Councilman Hursh Sureka was appointed in January 2026 to fill a vacancy for a term running through certification of the November 3, 2026 election results. Borough of Garwood · Jan 22, 2026

Stephanie Bianco was appointed in December 2025 to fill a vacancy for a term running through certification of the November 3, 2026 election results. Borough of Garwood · Dec 4, 2025

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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 Garwood proceed with housing on the former Paperboard site at 75 North Avenue?

  2. 2. How should Garwood respond to flooding?

  3. 3. Should downtown parking be free during the December holidays?

  4. 4. How should Garwood make its streets safer?

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

3 stay (not up this year): Kathleen Annarelli, Clarissa Nolde, Chase Padusniak3 on this ballot

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

  • Garwood uses the borough form of government: a mayor elected to a four-year term and six council members elected to staggered three-year terms, with two seats up each year. Wikipedia
  • The mayor presides at council meetings and votes only in the event of a tie. Wikipedia
  • The governing body is elected by the citizens at large. Borough of Garwood
  • Mayor Jen Blumenstock's term ends December 31, 2026. Wikipedia
  • The 2026 ballot has a mayor contest, two Members of Council seats with three-year terms, and one Member of Council seat for an unexpired term. Union County Clerk · Sep 3, 2026

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