BELLEVILLE — Candidates
in Belleville’s 2026 municipal election have begun announcing the individuals
who will run on their slates for the township’s at‑large council seats as the
race for mayor continues to develop ahead of the upcoming municipal vote.
Belleville operates under the Faulkner Act council‑manager
form of government. Under this structure voters elect a mayor and two at‑large
members of the Township Council who represent the entire municipality, while
four additional council members represent individual wards.
The township’s next municipal election is expected to take place in May 2026, when voters will select the mayor and two at‑large council members for four‑year terms.
Incumbent Mayor Michael Melham has indicated he intends to
seek another term in office. Individuals identified as part of his political
slate include Deputy Mayor Naomy De Peña and Councilman Thomas Graziano, who
are expected to run for the two available at‑large Township Council seats.
Melham was first elected mayor in 2018 and was reelected in 2022. The mayor serves as the elected executive representative of the municipality while Belleville’s daily administrative operations are handled by a township manager under the Faulkner Act system.
Belleville Councilman Frank Vélez has also announced a
campaign for mayor. Vélez currently represents the township’s Second Ward on
the Belleville Township Council.
Individuals identified as running on Vélez’s slate for the
two at‑large council positions include Carmelo Garcia and Glenn Dyga.
Municipal elections in Belleville are conducted on a non‑partisan basis, meaning candidates do not appear on the ballot with party labels.
Sources
• Township of Belleville Official Website