Politics & Government
Belleville Mayor, Council Election Is Tuesday: 2026 Voter Guide
Michael Melham and Frank Vélez are running for mayor. Council candidates are Naomy DePeña, Yolanda Luna, Danyale Wells, Michelle Rodríguez.

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Decision time has arrived in Belleville.
The town’s nonpartisan municipal election will take place on Tuesday, May 12. Belleville voters will choose a mayor and two at-large township council members. Terms last for four years.
The town’s current mayor, Michael Melham, is running for re-election. He faces a challenge from Frank Vélez, a town council member.
Find out what's happening in Belleville-Nutleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Melham is running on the “Better Belleville” slate alongside two town council candidates: Deputy Mayor Naomy DePeña and Yolanda Luna, a community volunteer and former PTA and HSA leader. View their campaign platform and backgrounds here.
Vélez is running on the “We Are Belleville” slate alongside town council candidates Danyale Wells, a financial manager and parent organization leader, and Michelle Rodríguez, an educator and ESL professional. View their campaign platform and backgrounds here.
Find out what's happening in Belleville-Nutleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Candidates don’t declare political parties in nonpartisan elections.
Find local polling places, see if you’re registered, and learn more about voting in New Jersey here. See sample ballots from the Essex County Clerk’s Office here.
>> Related: Watch Belleville Mayor Debate Between Melham, Vélez

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.