South Toms RiverNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

South Toms River Mayor & Borough Council Election 2026

2 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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

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The candidates

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

Voters choose one of two candidates for a four-year mayoral term and two of four candidates for three-year Borough Council terms. The mayor votes only to break a tie.

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.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

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

01Budget, taxes and borrowing3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget on April 27, 2026, and approved a bond ordinance for capital improvements and equipment the same night.

What's on the tableThe next council will adopt the 2027 budget and vote on any new borrowing for capital projects.

02Cannabis businesses3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn 2026 the council passed resolutions of local support for cannabis license applicants, and a resident has asked the borough to form a cannabis committee.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to support further cannabis license applications in the borough.

03Redevelopment3 sourced facts

Where it standsConstruction continues at the M&T @ STR Urban Renewal redevelopment, and in June 2026 the council authorized a certificate of completion for its Unit 1 obligations.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the remaining phases of the redevelopment and any related agreements.

04State rules and laws2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn 2026 the council passed resolutions opposing the NJDEP "REAL" rules in their current form and opposing certain recently enacted state laws affecting law enforcement.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide what positions the borough takes on state rules and legislation.

05Film production1 sourced fact

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council adopted an ordinance establishing a "New Jersey Film Ready" chapter of the borough code.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee how the borough handles film production requests.

1 note on these statements

Mayor Oscar Cradle is seeking re-election, and Councilman Sandford Ross is seeking re-election; Crystal Wurst is running for the seat of retiring Councilman Edward Murray. New Jersey Globe · Aug 12, 2026

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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. Should South Toms River support cannabis businesses seeking licenses in the borough?

  2. 2. Should the borough borrow through bonds to pay for capital improvements and equipment?

  3. 3. Should New Jersey adopt the NJDEP "REAL" rules in their current form?

  4. 4. Should the borough urge repeal of recently enacted state laws affecting law enforcement?

  5. 5. Should the borough welcome film production through the New Jersey Film Ready program?

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 voted8 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Samuel Fennell, William Kosh, Kayla Rolzhausen, Thomas Rolzhausen2 on this ballot

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

  • South Toms River is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, with the mayor and council elected at-large on a partisan basis. Wikipedia
  • The mayor is elected directly to a four-year term; the six council members serve staggered three-year terms, with two seats up each year. Wikipedia
  • The mayor presides at meetings and votes only in the event of a tie, and can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority of the council. Wikipedia

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