Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Highlands Borough Council Election 2026
2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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How to vote · 11 days left
Early voting begins (Oct 24): the election office's noticeThese 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.
Borough Council
Vote for up to 2- Melissa CavaluzziRegistered nurse and nursing administrator at a local nonprofit, as she described herself in 2021. She said then that she had lived in Highlands since 2015.4sourced
- Alyson SerkinHas worked 15 years in architecture, engineering and construction. She has a structural engineering degree from Ohio State.5sourced
- ElenaRose VillaliHighlands resident of 12 years and local business owner. She says she has a background in business operations and construction.5sourced
- Joseph WalshCandidate for Borough Council, listed on the ballot with the slogan "Residents Come First."1sourced
Voters boroughwide choose up to two Borough Council members in a nonpartisan race; the mayor is not on the ballot this year.
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.
- U.S. Senate
- Cory Booker · Democratic
- Justin Murphy · Republican
- Veronica Fernandez · End the Corruption!
- Joanne Kuniansky · Socialist Workers Party
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.
What the next council decides
01Flooding and stormwater2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe borough is moving capital projects that include a Stormwater Watershed Plan, and flooding is a recurring concern raised at council meetings.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide how much to borrow and spend on stormwater and flood projects.
- Ordinance 0-26-17, introduced July 15, 2026, lists a Stormwater Watershed Plan among the improvements it would fund. Borough of Highlands · Jul 15, 2026
- Mayor Broullon said in 2025 that a large flood grant was cancelled before final approval and that the borough would seek funding through the NJ Infrastructure Bank and NJ CHAMPS. Two River Times
02Budget and capital borrowing3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted a cap bank ordinance in May 2026 and introduced a $2.5 million capital bond ordinance in July 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council will set future budgets and decide which capital projects to borrow for.
- The council adopted Ordinance 0-26-09, to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank, 5-0 on May 6, 2026. Borough of Highlands · May 6, 2026
- Ordinance 0-26-17 appropriates $2,513,635 and authorizes up to $1,920,129 in bonds and notes. Borough of Highlands · Jul 15, 2026
- The bond ordinance covers items including Grand Tour improvements on South Peak Street, Kavookjian Field, park improvements, property at 179 Navesink Avenue and a fire pumper truck. Borough of Highlands · Jul 15, 2026
03Seastreak ferry traffic and parking2 sourced facts
Where it standsIn June 2026 the council approved Seastreak's liquor license transfer on the condition that it address traffic and parking concerns.
What's on the tableThe next council will deal with traffic, parking and license matters tied to the ferry operation on Shore Drive.
- Resolution 26-148 approved the place-to-place transfer of Seastreak LLC's liquor license with a condition that it obtain site plan approval addressing traffic and parking, 4-0 on June 17, 2026. Borough of Highlands · Jun 17, 2026
- Police Chief Robert Burton told the council that Seastreak activity was affecting parking along the full length of Shore Drive. Borough of Highlands · Jun 17, 2026
04Downtown redevelopment2 sourced facts
Where it standsIn July 2026 the council introduced an amendment to the Central Business District Redevelopment Plan.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide on redevelopment plans and projects along the Bay Avenue corridor.
- The council designated the Central Business District study area a non-condemnation redevelopment area by Resolution No. 21-199 on October 20, 2021. Borough of Highlands · Jul 15, 2026
- Ordinance 0-26-20, amending the Amended Central Business District Redevelopment Plan, was introduced 5-0 on July 15, 2026. Borough of Highlands · Jul 15, 2026
2 notes on these statements
Melissa Cavaluzzi and Alyson Serkin are listed with the same ballot slogan, "Transparency. Accountability. Progress." Monmouth County Clerk · Sep 1, 2026
The League of Women Voters of Monmouth County scheduled a virtual candidates' forum for the Highlands Borough Council race on Oct. 20, 2026. The Monmouth Journal · Oct 6, 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. How should Highlands deal with flooding?
2. Should the borough let its budget grow above the normal 2.5% cap?
3. How should the council handle Seastreak's liquor license request?
4. What kind of new development should Highlands encourage?
5. How much should the borough do to help local businesses?
Key dates
- Voter registration deadlineMonmouth County · Jan 9, 2026Oct 13, 2026
- Early voting begins (through Nov. 1)Monmouth County · Jan 9, 2026Oct 24, 2026
- Election Day (polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)Monmouth County · Jan 9, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
3 stay (not up this year): Carolyn Broullon, Leo Cervantes, Karen Chelak2 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The county's official list shows Highlands Borough voting for two full-term Borough Council seats (vote for two) in a nonpartisan race. Monmouth County Clerk · Sep 1, 2026
- The two Borough Council seats on the ballot carry terms that expire December 31, 2029. Borough of Highlands · Aug 27, 2026
- The governing body is the Mayor and a four-member Borough Council, all elected at large to three-year terms in nonpartisan voting. VOTE411 (League of Women Voters)
- Two council seats come up in each of two consecutive years, followed by the mayoral seat in the third year. VOTE411 (League of Women Voters)
- The terms of Council President Jo-Anne Olszewski and Councilmember Donald Melnyk expire December 31, 2026. Borough of Highlands · Apr 15, 2026
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