Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
South River Borough Council Election 2026
2 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
Not sure who to vote for? Answer 3 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.
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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.
Voters citywide choose up to two candidates for two three-year Borough Council seats.
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
- U.S. HouseDistrict 12
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
01Capital borrowing and the budget2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted a $2,921,000 capital bond ordinance in June 2026 and adopted the 2026 municipal budget in May 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council will set the 2027 budget and decide what capital projects to borrow for.
- Ordinance 2026-15 appropriates $2,921,000 and authorizes $1,805,000 in bonds and notes for a sanitation truck, police and fire equipment, Veterans Drive Athletic Field improvements and sewer work. South River Mayor and Council minutes, June 29, 2026 · Jun 29, 2026
- Ordinance 2026-15 was adopted on June 29, 2026 with all six council members voting aye. South River Mayor and Council minutes, June 29, 2026 · Jun 29, 2026
02Redevelopment: Wojie Way and Lower Main Street3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council issued a request for proposals for Wojie Way in June 2026 and sent Lower Main Street plan amendments to the Planning Board in May 2026.
What's on the tableThe council will decide whether to designate a redeveloper for Wojie Way and whether to adopt the Lower Main Street plan amendments.
- Resolution 2026-178 authorizes a request for proposals for the Wojie Way Redevelopment Area, Block 356, Lot 1.06, which is borough-owned, undeveloped vacant land. South River Mayor and Council minutes, June 8, 2026 · Jun 8, 2026
- The resolution states the borough's guidance that the property be proposed for a senior residence facility and a senior center facility. South River Mayor and Council minutes, June 8, 2026 · Jun 8, 2026
- The May 11, 2026 resolution refers the amendments to Sub-Area 150 of the Lower Main Street Redevelopment Plan, dated March 5, 2026, to the Planning Board for review and report. South River Mayor and Council minutes, May 11, 2026 · May 11, 2026
03Sunday alcohol hours3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council amended the Sunday hours for alcohol sales in June 2026.
What's on the tableThe council licenses and regulates alcohol sales through the borough code.
- Ordinance 2026-17 amends Section 103-17 of the borough code, with Sunday sales prohibited between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. South River Mayor and Council minutes, June 29, 2026 · Jun 29, 2026
- The ordinance states the change is meant to promote commerce, specifically in connection with televised sporting events such as NFL Football and the FIFA World Cup. South River Mayor and Council minutes, June 29, 2026 · Jun 29, 2026
- Ordinance 2026-17 was adopted on June 29, 2026 with all six council members voting aye. South River Mayor and Council minutes, June 29, 2026 · Jun 29, 2026
04Fire department facility rules3 sourced facts
Where it standsAn ordinance on fire department facilities and property access was on the June 29, 2026 agenda, and no member made a motion to accept it.
What's on the tableThe council will decide whether to revisit rules for fire department duties, access credentials and facilities.
- Ordinance 2026-16 would amend Chapter 72, Public Safety, and Chapter 246, Parks, Playgrounds and Public Buildings, of the borough code. South River Mayor and Council minutes, June 29, 2026 · Jun 29, 2026
- The minutes record that no one made a motion to accept Ordinance 2026-16. South River Mayor and Council minutes, June 29, 2026 · Jun 29, 2026
- The minutes record a resident expressing reservations the Fire Department has regarding the ordinance. South River Mayor and Council minutes, June 29, 2026 · Jun 29, 2026
2 notes on these statements
Henry Dziemian is the council member whose seat is on the ballot, and James Gurchensky's seat is open because he is not on the ballot. New Jersey Globe
The New Jersey Globe reports Republicans currently hold every seat on the Borough Council. New Jersey Globe
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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 South River pay for big capital purchases like trucks, equipment and sewer work?
2. What should happen with the borough-owned Wojie Way land?
3. What should Sunday alcohol sale hours be in South River?
Key dates
- Early voting begins (through Nov. 1)NJ Division of ElectionsOct 24, 2026
- Election DayMiddlesex County ClerkNov 3, 2026
The seat math
5 stay (not up this year): Sandra DaSilva, Matt DeSantis, Joseph Donato, Nick Giannakopoulos, Peter Guindi2 on this ballot
6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- The borough council has six members elected at large to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats up each year. Wikipedia
- The mayor is elected directly by voters and votes only in the event of a tie. Wikipedia
- The two seats on the ballot are three-year terms. Middlesex County Clerk
Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
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