Passaic County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Zoila Cassanova is the Surrogate Judge of Passaic County, New Jersey, a position she was elected to in 2022. A Democrat, she is an experienced attorney licensed in New Jersey, New York, and the United States Supreme Court. Prior to her election, Cassanova served as a Principal Court Attorney with the New York Court System.

Priorities: Demystifying the Surrogate's Court through community outreach and information on probate, guardianships, and adoptions · Expanding access to Surrogate's Court services by establishing night court locations · Fostering inclusion and providing support for autistic and developmentally disabled residents

Nick Veliky is a Democratic candidate running for Passaic County Commissioner. He is seeking to move the county forward.

Orlando Cruz is a Democratic politician from New Jersey who has served as a Passaic County Commissioner and Deputy Director. He previously ran for State Representative District 35 and the New Jersey General Assembly District 35. Born in Paterson, NJ, Cruz has also held leadership roles as Executive Director of the Downtown Paterson Special Improvement District and President of both the Greater Paterson and Greater Wa

Priorities: Expanding essential services · Improving infrastructure · Ensuring every community has a seat at the table

Ali Aljarrah is a civil rights leader and policy advocate for working-class New Jerseyans, currently serving as a senior adviser at CAIR Action NJ. A lifelong resident of Passaic County, he was born in Paterson and raised in Clifton and Little Falls. Aljarrah is running for Passaic County Commissioner, focusing his campaign on issues such as affordable housing, improving infrastructure, and expanding social services.

Priorities: Build more affordable housing and protect renters · Fix dangerous roads and connect our communities · Expand food assistance and improve social services

Arthur G. Soto is an at-large representative on the Passaic Public Schools school board in New Jersey. He won a first term in the at-large general election on April 25, 2017, securing one of the three-year terms available.

Janelle Hall, a lifelong resident of Passaic, New Jersey, was appointed to the Passaic Board of Education to fill a vacancy. She serves as the executive director of the United Passaic Organization and plans to run for one of the board's open seats in the upcoming April election. Hall holds a bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degree.

Priorities: Expanding holistic resources for families and providing mutual aid relief through community partnerships

Leslie Zuniga, a Camas City Councilor and former prosecutor, is committed to revitalizing the economy, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and enhancing public safety. She advocates for policies that support local businesses, attract new investments, and create job opportunities. Zuniga also prioritizes the protection of human life, with exceptions, and seeks to end late-term abortions occurring outside the confines of c

Priorities: Ensuring fiscal responsibility and opposing reckless government spending · Enhancing public safety and fully funding law enforcement

Marko Kopic is a real estate investor and developer based in Passaic County. Born into a Croatian family, Kopic built his wealth from the ground up, owning over eighty properties in the Paterson area by the age of twenty-two. He has also engaged with local government, appearing before the City of Passaic Zoning Board for property development approvals.

Juan Arroyo was a candidate for at-large representative on the Passaic Public Schools Board of Education in New Jersey. He ran in the general election held on April 19, 2016, but was defeated.