Oakland Election Drama: Judge Orders Special Election After Council Race Ends in Historic Tie
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Oakland NJ, in a rare turn of events that has captivated Bergen County, the battle for an Oakland Borough Council seat is heading back to the ballot box. Following a high-stakes legal battle over contested mail-in ballots, a Superior Court judge has officially ruled that the election remains a dead heat.
The decision follows months of recounts and legal challenges that left both candidates—Independent challenger Matthew Dumpert and Republican incumbent Kevin Slasinski—locked at exactly 2,515 votes each.
The Judge’s Ruling: A Stalemate in Court
On January 22, 2026, Judge Kelly Conlon issued a ruling after a week of intense testimony. Both campaigns had alleged that specific vote-by-mail ballots were defective and should be discounted.
However, the legal maneuvering cancelled itself out. According to Slasinski’s attorney, Charles Rabolli, the judge added one valid ballot for Dumpert but disqualified one “illegal” vote for him, maintaining the exact tie that existed after the December recount.
“As petitioner Matthew Dumpert and respondent Kevin Slasinski remain tied, a special election shall be set,” Judge Conlon’s order stated.
Timeline of the Oakland Tally
The journey to this tie has been a rollercoaster for the borough:
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November 2025: Initial results show Independent challengers leading the GOP incumbents.
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Nov. 14, 2025: A county update declares a tie at 2,516 votes.
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Dec. 10, 2025: A formal recount lowers the total but keeps the tie at 2,515 votes.
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Jan. 22, 2026: Court maintains the tie and orders a new election.
What Happens Next?
If neither candidate files an appeal by the Tuesday deadline, Oakland residents will head back to the polls shortly.
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Special Election Date: To be determined by the Bergen County Board of Elections, likely within the next 45 to 50 days.
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Current Council Status: While this seat remains in limbo, Dumpert’s running mate, William Eilert, has already been sworn in after topping the November vote.
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The Stakes: The outcome will determine whether the council maintains its traditional GOP majority or shifts toward an Independent-backed presence.
The “Tie” That Stunned the GOP
Oakland has long been a Republican stronghold, but the 2025 election proved that Independent challengers are gaining significant ground. The narrow margins have put every single vote under the microscope, proving the old adage that “every vote counts” is a literal reality in Bergen County.
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