Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Wanaque Mayor & Borough Council Election 2026

2 of 6

council seats up

2 contests

6 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.

Mayor · 1 seat

Sandy E. LawsonMember of the Passaic County Open Space Advisory Committee since 1999. She and her family moved to Wanaque in 1993.4sourced
Daniel MahlerIncumbentMayor of Wanaque and chairman of the borough's Executive Committee, with a term expiring December 31, 2026. He is the liaison to the Library Board and the Golden Age Club.4sourced

Borough Council · Vote for up to 2

Voters choose a mayor and up to two of four candidates for two Borough Council seats; four council members are not on the ballot.

1 note on these statements

Republican council members Donald J. Pasquariello, Jr. and Robert Pettet are seeking new terms. New Jersey Globe

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Thomas BalunisCouncilman; term ends December 31, 20276sourced Dominick CortellessaCouncilman; term ends December 31, 20286sourced Robert C. Kronyak, Jr.Councilman; term ends December 31, 20275sourced Edward LeonardCouncilman; term ends December 31, 20286sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesBudget, taxes and the spending cap, Affordable housing obligations, Cannabis licensing Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

What the next council decides

Budget, taxes and the spending cap

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 municipal budget of $15,566,361.89 on June 15, 2026, after a May ordinance to exceed the budget appropriation limits and set up a CAP bank.

What's on the tableThe next council will take up the 2027 budget and decide whether to exceed the state appropriation limits again.

The council adopted the 2026 budget by a 6-0 roll call on June 15, 2026. Borough of Wanaque · Jun 15, 2026
The borough's CFO said the budget raises taxes on an average house valued at $229,473.00 by under $78.00 for the year. Borough of Wanaque · Jun 15, 2026
The borough administrator said health insurance for employees and retirees rose $2,302,500. Borough of Wanaque · Jun 15, 2026
The May 11, 2026 ordinance to exceed the appropriation limits and establish a CAP bank passed 6-0. Borough of Wanaque · May 11, 2026

Affordable housing obligations

Where it standsIn May 2026 the council authorized withdrawing the borough's affordable housing declaratory judgment action, filed January 28, 2025.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee how the borough meets its affordable housing obligations without that court process.

The resolution states the borough determined it does not require official oversight to meet its affordable housing obligations. Borough of Wanaque · May 11, 2026
The resolution authorizes Special Counsel to withdraw the declaratory judgment action filed on January 28, 2025. Borough of Wanaque · May 11, 2026
The resolution was approved as part of a consent agenda by a 6-0 roll call. Borough of Wanaque · May 11, 2026

Cannabis licensing

Where it standsThe mayor said in January 2026 that the borough passed an ordinance allowing licensed cannabis businesses, with facilities not expected to operate until 2027.

What's on the tableThe council will oversee licensing of the businesses the ordinance allows.

The mayor said the ordinance allows cultivation, manufacture and wholesale distribution of cannabis products in the Industrial Zone. Borough of Wanaque · Jan 5, 2026
The mayor said the ordinance allows two retail licenses, in two named areas of town. Borough of Wanaque · Jan 5, 2026
The council appointed a Cannabis Advisory Committee on Jan. 5, 2026, by a 6-0 roll call. Borough of Wanaque · Jan 5, 2026

Development: Mountain Lakes Drive and the warehouse

Where it standsThe borough acquired the former Mountain Lakes Estates lots on January 5, 2026, and litigation over the development continues.

What's on the tableThe next council will deal with the aftermath of the Mountain Lakes Drive litigation and the warehouse project.

The borough acquired Block 200.20, Lots 1-47, formerly Mountain Lakes Estates properties, on January 5, 2026. Borough of Wanaque · May 11, 2026
The borough attorney reported that October 8, 2026 is the date for the Final Trial Order in the Mountain Lakes federal matter. Borough of Wanaque · Jul 13, 2026
The mayor said the warehouse project has county and state approvals, with construction expected to begin in 2026. Borough of Wanaque · Jan 5, 2026

Public access to meetings

Where it standsIn July 2026 the borough administrator said the borough is looking into streaming its meetings.

What's on the tableThe council will decide whether and how to stream or televise its meetings.

The borough administrator said at a public hearing on the cable contract renewal that the borough is looking into streaming its meetings. Borough of Wanaque · Jul 13, 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 the borough handle the annual budget and the state spending cap?
2. What should Wanaque allow for licensed cannabis businesses?
3. How should the borough weigh new development proposals?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Thomas Balunis, Dominick Cortellessa, Robert C. Kronyak, Jr., Edward Leonard2 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 governing body is a mayor and six council members. Borough of Wanaque
In the roll-call votes recorded in the May 11, 2026 minutes, only the six council members are listed as voting. Borough of Wanaque · May 11, 2026
The mayor and two council seats are on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. Passaic County Clerk

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