Township Council Race in Berkeley Heights, NJ — November 2026

Berkeley Heights voters will fill two seats on the Township Council in the Nov. 3 general election. Each seat carries a three year term.

Four candidates are running. The incumbents are Democrats Margaret Illis and Bill Machado. The challengers are Republicans James Daoulabani and Edmund “Tom” Maciejewski. Union County Life has summarized each candidate’s stated positions below, in alphabetical order.

The issues on the table

Each candidate answered the same questions over four weeks. The topics were small businesses and development, payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements, the proposed Terrace II project and the township’s Fourth Round affordable housing obligation of 240 units.

James Daoulabani (R)

Daoulabani grew up in Berkeley Heights. He is finishing his undergraduate degree at Rutgers University and works as a substitute teacher.

He said a PILOT should never be approved without full scrutiny. Before approving any future PILOT, including Terrace II, he would require a public analysis of revenue, terms, municipal costs and the effect on schools. He pointed to the wastewater treatment plant and the West Side drainage project as cases where residents should see the full picture before more borrowing.

Margaret Illis (D)

Illis is completing her first term on the council. She has lived in Berkeley Heights for 30 years.

She said PILOTs give the township leverage to negotiate more affordable units than the law requires, parking inside or behind buildings, and benefits such as traffic lights and sidewalks. She noted that about 59% of traditional property taxes go to schools and about 19% to the township, while PILOT payments go 95% to the township and 5% to the county. Her priorities for a second term include a downtown parking, traffic and pedestrian study and a planner’s review of downtown zoning.

Bill Machado (D)

Machado is also completing his first term. He has lived in Berkeley Heights for nearly 30 years.

He described small businesses as central to the township. He called the Nokia Bell Labs property one of the most important issues facing Berkeley Heights and neighboring New Providence. Before any approval there, he would require full traffic, infrastructure, drainage, environmental and wastewater studies.

Edmund “Tom” Maciejewski (R)

Maciejewski is a chemical engineer by training. He said Berkeley Heights has allowed too much high density residential development.

He pledged to vote no on every new PILOT and every PILOT extension. He said he would meet the affordable housing obligation with the fewest apartments the law requires. His stated priorities are flooding, sewers and roads.

How and when to vote

Early voting in person runs through Sunday, Nov. 1. Berkeley Heights has an early voting site at the Municipal Building, 29 Park Avenue. Any registered Union County voter can use any of the county’s 10 early voting sites. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters must go to their assigned polling place.

The deadline to apply for a mail ballot by mail has passed. Voters can still apply in person at the County Clerk’s offices in Elizabeth or Westfield until 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. Completed mail ballots can go in any county drop box until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

For polling places, drop box locations and other details, visit unioncountyvotes.com or call 908-527-4996.

Find more Berkeley Heights government news and election coverage on Union County Life.

FAQ

Who is running for Berkeley Heights Township Council in 2026?
Incumbent Democrats Margaret Illis and Bill Machado and Republican challengers James Daoulabani and Edmund “Tom” Maciejewski are running for two seats.

When is the Berkeley Heights election?
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where can I vote early in Berkeley Heights?
The Berkeley Heights Municipal Building at 29 Park Avenue is an early voting site through Nov. 1. Any registered Union County voter can use any of the county’s 10 early voting sites.

What is a PILOT agreement?
A payment in lieu of taxes agreement lets a developer make set payments instead of traditional property taxes. In Berkeley Heights, PILOT payments go mostly to the township, while traditional property taxes go mostly to schools.

Can I still get a mail ballot for the Nov. 3 election?
The deadline to apply by mail has passed. You can apply in person at the County Clerk’s offices in Elizabeth or Westfield until 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.