Editing Paramus, New Jersey (section)

==Government==

===Local government===
Paramus is governed under the [[Borough (New Jersey)|borough]] form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.<ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf ''Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601184216/https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf |date=June 1, 2023 }}, [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected [[at-large]] on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', [[Rutgers University]] [[Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy]], March 2013, p. 160.</ref> The borough form of government used by Paramus is a "[[weak mayor]] / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can [[veto]] ordinances subject to an [[veto override|override]] by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.<ref>Cerra, Michael F. [http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924045019/http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html |date=September 24, 2014 }}, [[New Jersey State League of Municipalities]]. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=6 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604040836/https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=6 |date=June 4, 2023 }}, p. 6. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, the mayor is [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Christopher DiPiazza, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Borough Council members are Ace A. Antonio (R, 2024), Robert Kaiser (R, 2024), Alfredo U. Nadera (R, 2026), Jorge E. Quintana (R, 2025), Mary Ellen Rizzo (R, 2026) and Jeanne T. Weber (R, 2025).<ref name=MayorCouncil>[https://www.paramusborough.org/292/Mayor-Council Mayor & Council], Borough of Paramus. Accessed April 21, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.paramusborough.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/448 2023 Municipal Data Sheet], Borough of Paramus. Accessed April 21, 2024.</ref><ref name=BergenCountyDirectory>[https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/images/About_Bergen_County/2024-county-directory.pdf#page=56 ''2024 County and Municipal Directory''], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]], April 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2023>[https://www.bergencountyclerk.gov/_Content/pdf/ElectionResult/District%20Canvass%20NEW.pdf Official Statement of Vote 2023 General Election - November 7, 2023 Official Results], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]], November 27, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2022>[https://www.bergencountyclerk.org/_Content/pdf/ElectionResult/Certified%20Statement%20of%20Vote%20Book%2011-21-22.pdf Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]] Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Bergen2021>[https://www.bergencountyclerk.org/_Content/pdf/ElectionResult/Statement%20of%20Vote%2011-17-21(1).pdf Bergen County Statement of Vote November 2, 2021 Official results], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]], updated November 17, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

In February 2023, the borough council appointed Al Nadera to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that became vacant when Chris DiPiazza took office as mayor.<ref>Noda, Stephanie. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/paramus/2023/02/03/paramus-swears-in-councilman-al-nadera-filipino-voice-for-diversity/69868246007/ "Paramus swears in Filipino councilman who hopes to be a voice for the borough's diversity"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930142337/https://www.northjersey.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.northjersey.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fbergen%2Fparamus%2F2023%2F02%2F03%2Fparamus-swears-in-councilman-al-nadera-filipino-voice-for-diversity%2F69868246007%2F |date=September 30, 2023 }}, ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', February 3, 2023. Accessed February 3, 2023. "'I'm very excited to work with the residents of Paramus, improve their quality of care and improve the state of the borough,' said Al Nadera, who was sworn into office on Tuesday. Nadera, a Republican, was appointed to fill the one year remaining in the term of Chris DiPiazza, who became mayor last month after winning the November election."</ref>

In October 2015, [[Moody's Investors Service]] upgraded [[general obligation bond|general obligation debt]] of the Borough of Paramus from Aa1 to Aaa, in light of the low levels of debt and the strength of the borough's financial operations, reserve levels, tax base, management practices and levels of wealth.<ref>[https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-upgrades-Paramus-NJs-GO-to-Aaa-from-Aa1--PR_336309 "Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Paramus, NJ's GO to Aaa from Aa1"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002130/https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-upgrades-Paramus-NJs-GO-to-Aaa-from-Aa1--PR_336309 |date=March 4, 2016 }}, [[Moody's Investors Service]], October 8, 2015. Accessed October 25, 2015. "Moody's Investors Service has upgraded the borough of Paramus, NJ to Aaa from Aa1.... The upgrade to Aaa rating reflects the borough's strong financial operations with healthy reserve levels, sizeable tax base, conservative management practices, strong socioeconomic wealth levels, and low debt burden."</ref>

===Federal, state and county representation===
Paramus is located in the [[New Jersey's 5th congressional district|5th Congressional District]]<ref name=PCR2012>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219202014/https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf |date=February 19, 2020 }}, [[New Jersey Redistricting Commission]], December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's [[New Jersey's 38th legislative district|38th state legislative district]].<ref name=Districts2011>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120165412/https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf |date=November 20, 2021 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>[https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf ''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105221009/https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf |date=November 5, 2019 }}, New Jersey [[League of Women Voters]]. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#38 Districts by Number for 2011–2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714024328/https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#38 |date=July 14, 2019 }}, [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

{{NJ Congress 05}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 38}}

{{NJ Bergen County Freeholders}}

===Politics===
{{PresHead|place=Paramus|source=<br>2024<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2024/2024-official-general-results-president-bergen.pdf Presidential November 5, 2024 General Election Results Bergen County], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref> 2020<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2020/2020-official-general-results-president-bergen.pdf Presidential November 8, 2016 General Election Results Bergen County], [[New Jersey Department of State]], published December 18, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2025. Note that these are the correct results for the 2020 general election.</ref> 2016<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2016/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf Presidential November 8, 2016 General Election Results Bergen County], [[New Jersey Department of State]], updated December 14, 2016. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref> 2012<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2012/2012-presidential-bergen.pdf Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results], [[New Jersey Department of State]], updated March 15, 2013. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref> 2008<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2008/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results Bergen County], [[New Jersey Department of State]], updated December 23, 2008. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref> 2004<ref>[https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2004/2004-presidential_bergen_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election Bergen County], [[New Jersey Department of State]], updated December 13, 2004. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|8,213|5,976|409|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|8,034|7,870|152|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,565|6,312|333|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|6,123|5,907|105|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|6,885|6,386|106|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|6,868|6,103|87|New Jersey}}
|}
As of March 2011, there were a total of 16,874 registered voters in Paramus, of which 4,454 (26.4% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 3,474 (20.6% vs. 21.1%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 8,938 (53.0% vs. 47.1%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were 8 voters registered as [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarians]] or [[Green Party (United States)|Greens]].<ref name=VoterRegistration>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-bergen-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary – Bergen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925142003/https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-bergen-co-summary-report.pdf |date=September 25, 2018 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 12, 2013.</ref> Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 64.1% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 81.6% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTP7.ST16?slice=GEO~0400000US34 GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 – State – County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212202223/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTP7.ST16?slice=GEO~0400000US34 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 12, 2013.</ref>

In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2016|2016 presidential election]], Republican [[Donald Trump]] received 6,565 votes (49.5% vs. 41.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[Hillary Clinton]] with 6,312 votes (47.6% vs. 54.2%) and other candidates with 389 votes (2.9% vs. 4.6%), among the 13,434 ballots cast by the borough's 18,526 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.5% (vs. 72.5% in Bergen County).<ref>[http://www.bergencountyclerk.org/_Content/pdf/elections/BC-Statement-of-Vote-Book-11-08-2016.pdf Presidential November 8, 2016 General Election Results - Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104015144/https://www.bergencountyclerk.org/_Content/pdf/elections/BC-Statement-of-Vote-Book-11-08-2016.pdf |date=November 4, 2020 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, November 8, 2016. Accessed May 24, 2020.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Republican [[Mitt Romney]] received 6,123 votes here (50.0% vs. 43.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[Barack Obama]] with 5,907 votes (48.3% vs. 54.8%) and other candidates with 105 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 12,234 ballots cast by the borough's 17,617 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.4% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).<ref>[http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-presidential-bergen.pdf Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results – Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207211248/http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-presidential-bergen.pdf |date=December 7, 2013 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 14, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-bergen.pdf Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results – Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207211038/http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-bergen.pdf |date=December 7, 2013 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 14, 2013.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Republican [[John McCain]] received 6,885 votes here (51.1% vs. 44.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 6,386 votes (47.4% vs. 53.9%) and other candidates with 106 votes (0.8% vs. 0.8%), among the 13,470 ballots cast by the borough's 17,747 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.9% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927042803/https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf |date=September 27, 2018 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 12, 2013.</ref><ref name=Results2008>[http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/smaps/2008/electionresults2008/att/North_Jersey_election_results_69.html 2008 General Election Results for Paramus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005151807/http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/smaps/2008/electionresults2008/att/North_Jersey_election_results_69.html |date=October 5, 2011 }}, ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]''. Accessed August 22, 2011.</ref> In the [[2004 United States presidential election|2004 presidential election]], Republican [[George W. Bush]] received 6,868 votes here (52.3% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[John Kerry]] with 6,103 votes (46.5% vs. 51.7%) and other candidates with 87 votes (0.7% vs. 0.7%), among the 13,123 ballots cast by the borough's 17,206 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.3% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_bergen_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927043212/https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_bergen_co_2004.pdf |date=September 27, 2018 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 12, 2013.</ref>

In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013 gubernatorial election]], Republican [[Chris Christie]] received 64.4% of the vote (4,888 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] with 34.8% (2,641 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (60 votes), among the 7,809 ballots cast by the borough's 17,083 registered voters (220 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.7%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-bergen.pdf |title=Governor – Bergen County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128123050/https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-bergen.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-bergen.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast – November 5, 2013 – General Election Results – Bergen County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128123019/https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-bergen.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009 gubernatorial election]], Republican Chris Christie received 4,298 votes here (49.7% vs. 45.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] with 3,857 votes (44.6% vs. 48.0%), Independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 376 votes (4.3% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 32 votes (0.4% vs. 0.5%), among the 8,656 ballots cast by the borough's 17,354 registered voters, yielding a 49.9% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-bergen.pdf 2009 Governor: Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207010131/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-bergen.pdf |date=December 7, 2013 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 12, 2013.</ref>