Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Ramsey Mayor & Borough Council Election 2026

2 of 6

council seats up

2 contests

6 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

Deirdre A. DillonIncumbentDeirdre Dillon has been Ramsey's mayor since 2015. She is a compliance officer for two SEC-registered investment advisers.4sourced
Angelo R. La Manna Jr.4sourced

Borough Council · Vote for up to 2

Voters choose one mayor and up to two of four candidates for two at-large Borough Council seats.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Christian GrissoniChristian Grissoni is a Ramsey councilman and the council's Building, Planning and Zoning chair.5sourced Peter KilmanPeter Kilman is a Ramsey councilman and the council's Public Safety chair.5sourced Glen PopoloGlen Popolo is a Ramsey councilman and the council's Health, Education and Social Services chair.5sourced Sara PoppeSara Poppe is a Ramsey councilwoman and the council's Public and Governmental Relations chair.6sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesAffordable housing and the overlay zones, Taxes, the budget and borough debt, Lead water service lines Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Affordable housing and the overlay zones

Where it standsIn March 2026 the council adopted two multifamily overlay zones and other fourth-round affordable housing ordinances.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the borough's fourth-round housing plan and any applications in the overlay zones.

At the Feb. 11, 2026 meeting the mayor said the borough's Fourth Round affordable housing obligation is 450 units and its realistic development potential is 26 units. Borough of Ramsey · Feb 11, 2026
At the March 11, 2026 hearing the borough planner said that not adopting the ordinance by March 15, 2026 would put the borough in violation of the Mount Laurel doctrine and the settlement. Borough of Ramsey · Mar 11, 2026
The Democratic ticket's website says the R-5E Island Road district allows up to 350 units, with at least 70 affordable. LaManna, Crandall & Barry campaign website: On the Issues

Taxes, the budget and borough debt

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget in April 2026 and a $1,460,000 bond ordinance for capital work.

What's on the tableThe next council will write the 2027 budget and decide on further borrowing for capital projects.

The 2026 budget has total appropriations of $30,340,187 and a municipal tax rate of 0.435, up 2.80% from 0.423 in 2025. Borough of Ramsey · Mar 25, 2026
The Democratic ticket's website lists current and approved municipal bond debt of $38,922,766. LaManna, Crandall & Barry campaign website: On the Issues

Lead water service lines

Where it standsThe council extended the lead service line replacement rebate deadline to Dec. 31, 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the borough's lead service line replacement program.

Ordinance 08-2026 extended the deadline for a $750 rebate from the Board of Public Works for replacing the customer-owned part of a lead service line to Dec. 31, 2026. Borough of Ramsey · Apr 8, 2026
The April 8, 2026 minutes say state DEP rules require all lead service lines in the water system to be replaced by 2031, with the borough covering the portion it owns and property owners the portion they own. Borough of Ramsey · Apr 8, 2026
The Democratic ticket's website says residents were first told the borough would pay the full cost and were later offered only a $750 reimbursement. LaManna, Crandall & Barry campaign website: On the Issues

The Emergency Services Complex

Where it standsThe design of a new emergency services complex was nearing completion in spring 2026, with a bid expected in summer.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide on bidding, funding and construction of the complex.

At the Feb. 11, 2026 meeting it was explained that the newly proposed building is 7,500 square feet smaller than in the first presentation, with 18 to 20 months of construction. Borough of Ramsey · Feb 11, 2026
The April 22, 2026 minutes say the Public Safety chair reported the design was nearing completion while keeping the cost within realistic budget parameters. Borough of Ramsey · Apr 22, 2026
The June 24, 2026 minutes say the borough expects to go out to bid sometime this summer. Borough of Ramsey · Jun 24, 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 Ramsey respond to the state's affordable housing obligation?
2. Should Ramsey prohibit short-term rentals of 30 days or less?
3. How should the borough pay for large capital projects?
4. How should the borough handle replacement of Department of Public Works equipment?
5. Who should pay to replace the homeowner's part of a lead service line?

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 mailedNorthJersey.com · Sep 18, 2026Sep 19, 2026
Voter registration deadlineBergen CountyOct 13, 2026
Early in-person voting beginsNorthJersey.com · Sep 18, 2026Oct 24, 2026
General election day (polls 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)Bergen CountyNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Christian Grissoni, Peter Kilman, Glen Popolo, Sara Poppe2 on this ballot

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

Legislative power is exercised by six elected council members and an elected mayor. Borough of Ramsey
Council members are elected for three-year terms and the mayor is elected for a four-year term. Borough of Ramsey
The council has six members elected at large on staggered terms, with two seats up each year; the mayor presides and votes only to break a tie. Wikipedia

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