Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Plainfield City Council Election 2026

2 of 7

council seats up

2 contests

2 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

City Council 1st Ward · Unopposed

Robert GrahamIncumbentRobert Graham is the incumbent First Ward councilman and chairs the council's Public Safety Committee. He was elected in November 2022 to a four-year term ending December 31, 2026.4sourced

City Council At-Large · Unopposed

Richard WyattIncumbentRichard Wyatt is the incumbent at-large councilman for Plainfield's Second and Third Wards. He chairs the Cable TV Advisory Committee and was elected in November 2022 to a four-year term ending December 31, 2026.4sourced

Voters in the 1st Ward elect the 1st Ward seat, and voters in the 2nd and 3rd Wards elect the at-large seat for those wards. Each seat has one candidate on the ballot.

4 notes on these statements

Robert Graham is the only candidate listed for 1st Ward Council Member, and the Republican column reads NO NOMINATION MADE. Union County Clerk, Plainfield sample general election ballot (1st Ward)

Richard Wyatt is the only candidate listed for Council Member-at-Large, 2nd & 3rd Wards, and the Republican column reads NO NOMINATION MADE. Union County Clerk, Plainfield sample general election ballot (2nd & 3rd Wards)

Third Ward Councilman Charles McRae died in September 2026, and the council appointed Robin Bright to the seat. TAPinto Plainfield, Robin Bright Appointed to Plainfield City Council · Sep 30, 2026

TAPinto reported that Robert Graham, Terri Briggs-Jones and Richard Wyatt did not explain their budget votes before the council reversed course. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council Ends Standoff, Adopts $119.6M Budget · Sep 15, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Terri Briggs-JonesCouncilwoman, Fourth Ward; term ends December 31, 20293sourced Robin BrightCouncilwoman, Third Ward (appointed September 2026); serves until December 20271sourced Julienne CherryCouncil President and Councilwoman-At-Large for the First and Fourth Wards; term ends December 31, 20272sourced Steve HockadayCouncil Vice President and Councilman-At-Large; term ends December 31, 20282sourced Darcella SessomesCouncilwoman, Second Ward; term ends December 31, 20273sourced

Start here

What council decidesMunicipal budget and library funding, Reporting on developer PILOT agreements, Netherwood Station redevelopment Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Municipal budget and library funding

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget on Sept. 14 after tabling it twice in August.

What's on the tableThe council in office next year will work on the annual municipal budget, including tax levy and library funding.

The council adopted a $119.6 million municipal budget for 2026. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council Ends Standoff, Adopts $119.6M Budget · Sep 15, 2026
Amendments trimmed the proposed municipal tax increase by approximately $8 for the average homeowner annually, to a roughly $298 increase instead of around $306. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council Ends Standoff, Adopts $119.6M Budget · Sep 15, 2026
The council's amendments reduced the liability insurance appropriation by $169,000, of which $69,000 went to the library and $100,000 reduced the tax levy. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council Ends Standoff, Adopts $119.6M Budget · Sep 15, 2026
The introduced budget was $375,000 short of the library's $2.7 million funding request. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council Ends Standoff, Adopts $119.6M Budget · Sep 15, 2026

Reporting on developer PILOT agreements

Where it standsThe council gave final passage to a PILOT reporting ordinance on Sept. 14, and the mayor has vowed to veto it.

What's on the tableWhether the council can require regular written reports on PILOT agreements, and whether to override a veto.

Payment in lieu of taxes agreements, known as PILOTs, are tax incentives for developers that allow them to make payments based on a portion of their revenue instead of paying standard property taxes. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council, Mayor Clash Over PILOT Reporting · Aug 25, 2026
Ordinance MC 2026-31 would require quarterly reports on each active PILOT agreement. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council, Mayor Clash Over PILOT Reporting · Aug 25, 2026
Five council members voted to advance the ordinance, the same number that would be needed to override Mayor Mapp's promised veto. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council, Mayor Clash Over PILOT Reporting · Aug 25, 2026
The unanimous final passage of an ordinance requiring periodic reports about the city's PILOT agreements came at the September meeting. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield City Council Passes 2026 Budget at September Council Meeting · Sep 15, 2026

Netherwood Station redevelopment

Where it standsA resolution to study NJ Transit land at Netherwood Station failed 3-3 on Sept. 14.

What's on the tableWhether the city investigates the Netherwood Station properties as a possible redevelopment area.

Resolution R333-26 would have directed the Planning Board to investigate whether two NJ Transit-owned properties surrounding Netherwood Station met the legal criteria for designation as a non-condemnation redevelopment area. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council Rejects Netherwood Redevelopment Study · Sep 15, 2026
The Council did not vote on a developer or construction plan. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council Rejects Netherwood Redevelopment Study · Sep 15, 2026
The Netherwood Station building is currently boarded up. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council Rejects Netherwood Redevelopment Study · Sep 15, 2026

Filling the Third Ward vacancy

Where it standsThe council appointed Robin Bright to the Third Ward seat on Sept. 30 after Charles McRae died.

What's on the tableWho represents the Third Ward after the appointed term ends in December 2027.

The Plainfield City Council voted to appoint Robin Bright to represent the Third Ward to replace Charles McRae, who died earlier this month. TAPinto Plainfield, Robin Bright Appointed to Plainfield City Council · Sep 30, 2026
She was approved unanimously by all six remaining members. TAPinto Plainfield, Robin Bright Appointed to Plainfield City Council · Sep 30, 2026
Bright earned the right to serve on the council until December 2027. TAPinto Plainfield, Robin Bright Appointed to Plainfield City Council · Sep 30, 2026

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineNJ Division of Elections, Voter Information PortalOct 13, 2026
Early voting beginsNJ Division of Elections, Voter Information PortalOct 24, 2026
Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mailNJ Division of Elections, Voter Information PortalOct 27, 2026
Election DayNJ Division of Elections, Voter Information PortalNov 3, 2026

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): Terri Briggs-Jones, Robin Bright, Julienne Cherry, Steve Hockaday, Darcella Sessomes2 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The Plainfield City Council is composed of seven elected officials. City of Plainfield, Meet the City Council
Plainfield requires four affirmative votes, a majority of the entire seven-member Council, to pass a resolution. TAPinto Plainfield, Plainfield Council Rejects Netherwood Redevelopment Study · Sep 15, 2026
The 1st Ward council seat is listed on the ballot as a 4 Year Term. Union County Clerk, Plainfield sample general election ballot (1st Ward)
The Council Member-at-Large seat for the 2nd and 3rd Wards is listed on the ballot as a 4 Year Term. Union County Clerk, Plainfield sample general election ballot (2nd & 3rd Wards)

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