Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Linden Mayor & City Council Election 2026

5 of 11

council seats up

6 contests

10 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.

Mayor · 1 seat

Derek ArmsteadIncumbentMayor of Linden, first elected in 2014; represented the Fourth Ward on City Council for 21 years.4sourced
Carlos A. RivasAirline operations manager at Newark Liberty airport and former Linden 5th Ward councilman.4sourced

President of Council · 1 seat

City Council 4th Ward · 1 seat

City Council 6th Ward · Unopposed

Eloy DelgadoIncumbentCouncilman for Linden's 6th Ward.1sourced

City Council 8th Ward · Unopposed

Mark ArmsteadIncumbentCouncilman for Linden's 8th Ward.1sourced

City Council 10th Ward · 1 seat

Voters citywide choose the mayor and the president of council; voters in the 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th wards each choose one ward council member.

3 notes on these statements

Alfred Mohammed, the 4th Ward councilman, is retiring, so that seat is open. New Jersey Globe

Eloy Delgado and Mark Armstead have no opposing candidate on the November ballot for the 6th and 8th Ward seats. Union County Clerk · Sep 3, 2026

No Republican nomination was made for mayor on the September 3, 2026 county candidate list. Union County Clerk · Sep 3, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Monique CaldwellCouncilwoman, 3rd Wardbio only Barry E. JavickCouncilman, 2nd Wardbio only Kayla LottCouncilwoman, 5th Wardbio only Lisa OrmonCouncilwoman, 1st Wardbio only Alfred RodriguezCouncilman, 9th Wardbio only Ralph StranoCouncilman, 7th Wardbio only

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesFlooding and aging infrastructure, Development and growth, Municipal budget and taxes Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting begins (through Nov. 1)

Sat, Oct 24, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Flooding and aging infrastructure

Where it standsMayor Derek Armstead says flooding is his top priority and that replacing aging pipes needs outside funding.

What's on the tableThe council will vote on city sewer and stormwater spending and on seeking outside funds.

Armstead says his administration has invested in sewer and stormwater improvements and cleaned catch basins. TAPinto Linden · Sep 30, 2026
Armstead says Linden needs outside partners to replace aging underground pipes. TAPinto Linden · Sep 30, 2026

Development and growth

Where it standsCandidates from several tickets say growth should be balanced with roads, sewers and schools.

What's on the tableThe council will vote on redevelopment and zoning measures.

Armstead cites the former General Motors site, now Legacy Square Mall, and the Linden Logistics Center as projects returning land to use. TAPinto Linden · Sep 30, 2026
Carlos A. Rivas says development should be balanced with the capacity of roads, schools and sewer systems. TAPinto Linden · Oct 1, 2026
Brianna Armstead says new redevelopment projects should include opportunities for working families. TAPinto Linden · May 15, 2026

Municipal budget and taxes

Where it standsCandidates discuss municipal spending and the tax rate.

What's on the tableThe council will adopt the annual city budget.

Armstead says Linden delivered six consecutive reductions in the municipal portion of property taxes from 2018 through 2023. TAPinto Linden · Sep 30, 2026
Michele Yamakaitis says Linden again has no increase in the municipal tax rate this year. TAPinto Linden · Oct 2, 2026
Rivas says he would review finances, spending and debt. TAPinto Linden · Oct 1, 2026

Transparency and resident input

Where it standsCandidates propose different ways to involve residents.

What's on the tableThe council will set meeting, notice and conflict-of-interest practices.

Armstead proposes a Mayor's Listening Tour in all ten wards. TAPinto Linden · Sep 30, 2026
Rivas proposes regular town halls and neighborhood forums. TAPinto Linden · Oct 1, 2026
Luis Fonseca names conflict-of-interest policies and oversight as a priority. TAPinto Linden · May 16, 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 Linden handle new development?
2. How should residents have a say on city projects?
3. Should redevelopment projects include units for working families?
4. How should Linden pay to replace aging underground pipes?
5. Should Linden add rules limiting relatives in city government?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to Linden votersUnion County NJ VotesSep 23, 2026
Early voting begins (through Nov. 1)Union County Board of ElectionsOct 24, 2026
Election DayUnion County NJ VotesNov 3, 2026

The seat math

6 stay (not up this year): Monique Caldwell, Barry E. Javick, Kayla Lott, Lisa Ormon, Alfred Rodriguez, Ralph Strano5 on this ballot

11 council seats. The council decides by a 6-vote majority.

The mayor and president of council serve 4-year terms; the 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th Ward council members serve 3-year terms. Union County Clerk · Sep 3, 2026
The council has a president and ward members for the 1st through 10th Wards. City of Linden

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