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

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Early voting begins (Oct 24): the election office's notice

These 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.

Early voting begins · Oct 24

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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
    Official candidate list, in its order
  • 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 1. How should South River pay for big capital purchases like trucks, equipment and sewer work?

  2. 2. What should happen with the borough-owned Wojie Way land?

  3. 3. What should Sunday alcohol sale hours be in South River?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted4 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

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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