Editing Cliffside Park, New Jersey (section)

==Government==

===Local government===
Cliffside Park 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''], [[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 Cliffside Park 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"], p. 6. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, the [[Mayor of Cliffside Park, New Jersey|Mayor of Cliffside Park]] is [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] Thomas Calabrese, who was elected to serve a term of office ending December 31, 2027. Members of the borough council are Council President John Chmielewski (D, 2024), Peter J. Colao (D, 2025), Kenneth J. Corcoran (D, 2025), Dana Martinotti (D, 2026), Selvie Nikaj (D, 2024) and Eurice Rojas (R, 2026).<ref name=Governing>[https://www.cliffsideparknj.gov/mayor_and_council/governing_body/index.php Governing Body], Borough of Cliffside Park. Accessed April 21, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://webgen1files.revize.com/boroughcspnj/Cliffside%20Park%202023%20Adopted%20Budget.pdf 2023 Municipal Data Sheet], Borough of Cliffside Park. Accessed April 21, 2024.</ref><ref name=BergenCountyDirectory>[https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/images/About_Bergen_County/2024-county-directory.pdf#page=36 ''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 October 2019, the borough council appointed John Chmielewski to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that had been held by Donna M. Spoto until she resigned from her seat the previous month after 31 years in office in order to move out of the borough.<ref>[http://www.cliffsideparknj.gov/mayor-and-council/governing-body/chmielewski/ Councilman John Chmielewski], Borough of Cliffside Park. Accessed March 24, 2020. "John was sworn in as a councilman in October to fill the unexpired term of Donna Spoto."</ref><ref>McDonald, Terrence T. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/cliffside-park/2019/09/13/cliffside-park-nj-councilwoman-steps-down-after-31-years-office/2311998001/ "Cliffside Park councilwoman steps down after 31 years in office"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', September 13, 2019. Accessed March 24, 2020. "Donna Spoto, who may be the longest-serving councilwoman in Bergen County, stepped down from the Borough Council this week to move to Florida with her husband. Spoto, 58, a retired teacher and county worker, submitted her resignation on Tuesday. First appointed to the six-member council in 1988, she was in the middle of her 10th term in office."</ref>

In May 2015, the borough council selected Thomas Calabrese from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the vacant mayoral seat.<ref>Tat, Linh. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102849/http://www.northjersey.com/news/thomas-calabrese-named-cliffside-park-mayor-1.1325969 "Thomas Calabrese named Cliffside Park mayor"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', May 5, 2015, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of March 4, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "On Tuesday, three weeks after Gerry Calabrese's death, residents learned that they will continue to call Mr. Calabrese their mayor — Thomas Calabrese, that is. As acting mayor the past 20 months, Thomas, who was also council president, was the heir apparent to the title last held by his father, who set the record as New Jersey's longest-serving mayor."</ref> Calabrese replaced his father, [[Gerald Calabrese]], who was elected to the borough council in 1955 and had served continuously as mayor of Cliffside Park from 1965 until his death in April 2015, making him the longest-serving mayor in state history.<ref>Rosenfeld, Stacey. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160306135907/http://www.northjersey.com/news/calabrese-sworn-in-for-13th-term-as-mayor-of-cliffside-park-1.232795 "Calabrese sworn in for 13th term as mayor of Cliffside Park"], ''Cliffside Park Citizen'', January 9, 2012, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of March 6, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "Cliffside Park Mayor, Gerald 'Gerry' Calabrese, made history when he was sworn in to commence his 13th term as Mayor of the borough Jan.4. Calabrese, 86, was first elected to the Cliffside Park Borough Council in 1955 at age 30. In 1959 he became mayor and has continuously served as the borough's Chief Executive since 1965, distinguishing him as the longest-serving Mayor in the State of New Jersey."</ref> In June 2015, Peter Colao was appointed to fill the vacant council seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Calabrese before he was selected to fill the vacancy as mayor.<ref>Tat, Linh. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160530150625/http://www.northjersey.com/news/cliffside-park-tax-assessor-to-fill-calabrese-s-council-seat-1.1349843 "Cliffside Park tax assessor to fill Calabrese's council seat"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', June 5, 2015, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of March 4, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "The borough's tax assessor and chairman of its Housing Authority was appointed Wednesday to fill the council seat vacated by Thomas Calabrese last month when he became mayor. Peter Colao, whose appointment ends Dec. 31, said he plans to run in this fall's general election for a one-year unexpired term ending December 2016."</ref>

===Federal, state, and county representation===
Cliffside Park is located in the 9th 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], [[New Jersey Redistricting Commission]], December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 36th 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], [[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''], New Jersey [[League of Women Voters]]. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#36 Districts by Number for 2011-2020], [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

{{NJ Congress 09}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 36}}

{{NJ Bergen County Freeholders}}

===Politics===
As of March 2011, there were a total of 11,107 registered voters in Cliffside Park, of which 4,749 (42.8% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 1,166 (10.5% vs. 21.1%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 5,185 (46.7% vs. 47.1%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were 7 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], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 3, 2013.</ref> Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 47.1% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 56.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>[https://www.census.gov GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 3, 2013.</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Presidential Elections Results
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2024 United States presidential election in New Jersey|2024]]<ref name="2024Elections">{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2024/2024-official-general-results-president-bergen.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 5, 2024 - Bergen County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=January 3, 2025}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|46.3% ''4,149''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.1%''' ''4,495''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |3.6% ''262''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2020|2020]]<ref name="2020Elections">{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2020/2020-official-general-results-president-bergen.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 3, 2020 - Bergen County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=January 3, 2023}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.7% ''3,992''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''60.4%'''  ''6,217''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.9% ''90''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2016|2016]]<ref name="2016Elections">{{cite web|url=http://nj.gov/state/elections/2016-results/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 8, 2016 - Bergen County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=January 3, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.3% ''3,119''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''61.9%'''  ''5,474''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |2.9% ''254''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012]]<ref name="2012Elections">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-bergen.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Bergen County|date=March 15, 2013|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 23, 2014}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.4% ''2,627''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''66.7%'''  ''5,410''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.9% ''73''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008]]<ref name="state.nj.us">[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.rev.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 21, 2012.</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|36.2% ''3,095''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''62.5%'''  ''5,348''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |1.3% ''116''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004]]<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">[https://www.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]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 21, 2012.</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.9% ''3,232''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''60.4%'''  ''5,024''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.7% ''62''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2000|2000]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014>[http://www.bergencountyclerk.org/web_content/pdf/elections/historical/General-1959-2014.zip General Election Results 1959 to 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104074920/http://www.bergencountyclerk.org/web_content/pdf/elections/historical/General-1959-2014.zip |date=January 4, 2018 }}, Bergen County Clerk. Accessed February 10, 2018.</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|29.5% ''2,313''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''67.9%'''  ''5,333''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |2.6% ''204''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1996|1996]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|27.4% ''2,172''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''65.0%'''  ''5,151''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |7.6% ''602''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1992|1992]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.4% ''3,042''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''52.9%'''  ''4,548''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |11.7% ''1,004''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1988|1988]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.9%''' ''4,575''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|48.7%  ''4,382''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.4% ''33''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1984|1984]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.3%''' ''5,776''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.4%  ''4,097''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.3% ''27''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1980|1980]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52.5%''' ''5,223''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.3%  ''3,808''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |9.2% ''915''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1976|1976]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.2%''' ''5,006''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|48.5%  ''4,834''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |1.3% ''128''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1972|1972]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''64.5%''' ''5,910''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.8%  ''3,186''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.7% ''63''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1968|1968]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52.7%''' ''4,414''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.7%  ''3,407''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |6.6% ''551''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1964|1964]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.3% ''3,059''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''64.4%'''  ''5,582''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.3% ''23''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1960|1960]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''53.8%''' ''5,137''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|46.0%  ''4,394''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.2% ''18''
|}

In recent years, Cliffside Park has leaned strongly toward the Democratic Party. In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2016|2016 presidential election]], Democrat [[Hillary Clinton]] received 5,474 votes (61.1% vs. 54.2% countywide), ahead of Republican [[Donald Trump]] with 3,119 votes (34.8% vs. 41.1% countywide) and other candidates with 221 votes (2.5% vs. 3.0% countywide), among the 8,953 ballots cast by the borough's 12,979 registered voters for a turnout of 68.9% (vs. 73% in Bergen County).<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/2016-results/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf Presidential November 8, 2016 General Election Results Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107140253/http://www.njelections.org/2016-results/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf |date=January 7, 2017 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]], December 14, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Democrat [[Barack Obama]] received 5,410 votes (66.0% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican [[Mitt Romney]] with 2,627 votes (32.0% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 64 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 8,203 ballots cast by the borough's 11,870 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.1% (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/20180926204006/http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-presidential-bergen.pdf |date=September 26, 2018 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 4, 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/20180926203505/http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-bergen.pdf |date=September 26, 2018 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Democrat Barack Obama received 5,348 votes (61.9% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of Republican [[John McCain]] with 3,095 votes (35.8% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates with 88 votes (1.0% vs. 0.8%), among the 8,636 ballots cast by the borough's 11,775 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.3% (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], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref><ref name=Results2008>[http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/smaps/2008/electionresults2008/att/North_Jersey_election_results_29.html 2008 General Election Results for Cliffside Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714195311/http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/smaps/2008/electionresults2008/att/North_Jersey_election_results_29.html |date=July 14, 2011 }}, ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]''. Accessed November 7, 2008.</ref>

In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013 gubernatorial election]], Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] received 52.0% of the vote (2,298 cast), ahead of Republican [[Chris Christie]] with 47.0% (2,077 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (47 votes), among the 4,639 ballots cast by the borough's 11,249 registered voters (217 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.2%.<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}}</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}}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009 gubernatorial election]], Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] received 3,305 ballots cast (59.8% vs. 48.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 1,914 votes (34.6% vs. 45.8%), independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 202 votes (3.7% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 24 votes (0.4% vs. 0.5%), among the 5,529 ballots cast by the borough's 11,381 registered voters, yielding a 48.6% 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/20181128164457/https://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-bergen.pdf |date=November 28, 2018 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref>

====Local elections====
In the 2010 General Election, Democratic incumbents Thomas Calabrese (3,167 votes) and Kenneth Corcoran (3,111 votes) were re-elected to three-year terms of office after being challenged by Republican Party candidates Eric Soto (1,835 votes) and Michelle Talamo (1,836 votes).<ref>Staff. [http://www.northjersey.com/news/106579098_Democrats_retain_council_seatsBy_Robin_DeCicco.html "Candidates thankful for support"], ''Cliffside Park Citizen'', November 12, 2010. Accessed June 23, 2011.</ref>

In the 2009 General Election, Democratic incumbents Bernard J. Fontana (2,943 votes) and Donna M. Spoto (2,983 votes) were re-elected over Republican Party candidates John Mitchell (2,040 votes) and Eric Soto (2,004 votes).<ref>Amos, Darius. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305072055/http://www.northjersey.com/story-archives/election-2009-cliffside-park-1.1238599 "Election 2009: Cliffside Park"], ''Cliffside Park Citizen'', November 3, 2009, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of March 5, 2016. Accessed September 10, 2017. "The two incumbents outgained their GOP challengers at the polls, as each Democrat tallied more than 900 more votes than their opponents. Spoto received 2,983 votes, and Fontana got 2,943. Republicans John Mitchell picked up 2,040 votes, while slate running mate Eric Soto received 2,004 votes."</ref>

==== List of mayors ====
Cliffside Park was formed in 1895 and has the [[Borough (New Jersey)|borough]] form of New Jersey municipal government. It has had numerous mayors, a number of whom served non-consecutive terms. [[Gerald Calabrese]] was longest serving mayor (50 years) in New Jersey at the time of his death.<ref name="CPchrono">{{Citation|last=Matthias|first=Lawrence|title=A Chronological and Picturesque History of Cliffside Park|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PFIfFpSkZ48C&q=A+Chronological+and+Picturesque+History+of+Cliffside+Park|year=2008|publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=9780557015269}}</ref> The following is a list of previous mayors:

*Thomas Calabrese (D) 2015 acting, 2016 to present<ref>Pugliese, Nicholas. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2016/01/05/a-son-of-gerry-calabrese-begins-full-term-as-cliffside-park-mayor/94233018/ "A son of Gerry Calabrese begins full term as Cliffside Park mayor"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', January 5, 2016. Accessed April 24, 2022. "The Calabrese dynasty was extended Tuesday as Thomas Calabrese was sworn in by Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop for his first full term as mayor, a role that he held in an acting capacity for 20 months before he was appointed to the position in May. His predecessor and father, Gerald 'Gerry' Calabrese, was a powerhouse in Bergen County politics and the state’s longest-serving mayor. He died in April after 51 years in office."</ref>
*[[Gerald Calabrese]] (D) (1961–1963, 1965 to 2015) the longest-serving mayor in [[New Jersey]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Longtime Cliffside Park mayor dies at age 90|url=http://newjersey.news12.com/story/34870452/longtime-cliffside-park-mayor-dies-at-age-90|website=newjersey.news12.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 13, 2015|title=Gerald Calabrese: New Jersey's longest serving mayor has died| website=[[The New York Observer]] |url=https://observer.com/2015/04/gerald-calabrese-new-jerseys-longest-serving-mayor-has-died/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mayor Gerald A. Calabrese – Borough of Cliffside Park|url=http://www.cliffsideparknj.gov/mayor-and-council/governing-body/mayor/}}</ref>
*James F Madden (1963–1965)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=James Madden Obituary - NJ &#124; The Record/Herald News| website=[[Legacy.com]] |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/northjersey/obituary.aspx?n=james-f-madden&pid=1832261}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Congress|first=United States|date=May 26, 2012|title=Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rjJTM39uo2UC&q=Cliffside+Park+mayor&pg=PA894|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|via=Google Books}}</ref>
*Frederick F. Dyer (R) (1958 to 1959)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>{{cite news|date=August 23, 1997|title=Frederick Dyer|newspaper=[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22403961.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2011-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415112816/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22403961.html|archive-date=April 15, 2016|quote=Frederick F. Dyer, a former Republican mayor of Cliffside Park who was dedicated to the Scouting movement, died Thursday at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck. He was 86. Mr. Dyer became the borough's mayor in 1958 after six years as a councilman. He declined to run for the office again, making way for a race won by Gerald Calabrese, who has been mayor for 34 of the past 37 ...}}</ref>
*Francis J. Murphy (1954–1957)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Francis Murphy Obituary - NJ &#124; The Record/Herald News| website=[[Legacy.com]] |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/northjersey/obituary.aspx?n=francis-joseph-murphy&pid=505509}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Means|first=United States Congress House Committee on Ways and|date=June 4, 1955|title=Trade Agreements Extension: Hearings Before the Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Eighty-fourth Congress, First Session, on H.R. 1, a Bill to Extend the Authority of the President to Enter Into Trade Agreements Under Section 350 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as Amended, and for Other Purposes ...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OpEsAAAAMAAJ&q=cliffside+park+embroidery&pg=PA1841|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|via=Google Books}}</ref>
*Edward Ulrich (R) (1952–1959)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=February 2, 1953|title=The Record of Hackensack|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/489783285/|website=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
*William T. Michaelson (1950 to 1951)<ref name="CPchrono" /> He was indicted in 1951, and again in 1953, on charges of failure to enforce gambling laws, but the charges were dropped in 1955.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
*[[Joseph C. Woodcock]] (1939–1943)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>{{cite web|date=April 10, 1966|title=JOSEPH C. WOODCOCK|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/04/10/archives/joseph-c-woodcock.html|access-date=May 21, 2020|work=The New York Times}}</ref>
*Thomas A. Fox (1934–1939)<ref name="CPchrono" /> Died in office in his third term.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 2, 1939|title=Thomas J. Fox; Mayor of Cliffside Park for Last Six Years Dies at 45|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1939/06/02/93923082.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|access-date=2020-05-20|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
*Frank A. Meyer (1931–1934)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>{{Cite news|title=Increased Population and Home Building Predicted for 1932 by Bergen County Mayors; Increased Population and Home Building Predicted for 1932 by Bergen County Mayors Teaneck Expects Great Benefits. Rutherford's Mayor Optimistic| work=The New York Times |url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/10/25/113343832.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false}}</ref>
*[[Joseph W. Marini]] (R) (1924–1929, 1944–1947),<ref name="CPchrono" /> twice defeated [[Edward Aloysius Kenney]], an unsuccessful candidate who ran as an independent in 1921, as a Republican in 1923, and as a Democrat in 1927. (Kenney later defeated Marini in a race for the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 24, 1934|title=Official Congressional Directory|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w3KJuNEcThYC&q=Joseph+W.+Marini+cliffside+mayor&pg=PA69|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office}}</ref>) Became [[New Jersey Superior Court]] judge.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 15, 2009|title=The time the Chamber of Commerce trip to Washington killed a Congressman| website=[[The New York Observer]] |url=https://observer.com/2009/12/the-time-the-chamber-of-commerce-trip-to-washington-killed-a-congressman/}}</ref> [[New Jersey Assembly]] 1944-1945
*John C. Cadien (1918–1924)<ref name="CPchrono" /> Instrumental in the establishment of Cliffside Park Public Library<ref>{{Cite web|title=About – History|url=https://cliffsideparklibrary.org/about/|access-date=2020-05-20|publisher=Cliffside Park Public Library}}</ref>
*S. Wood McClave (1910–1914)<ref name="CPchrono" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=May 16, 2020|title=Charlotte McClave Shelley, part of legendary Cliffside Park political family, dies at 100|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/in-memoriam/charlotte-mcclave-shelley-part-of-legendary-cliffside-park-family-dies-at-100/|website=New Jersey Globe}}</ref>
*John E. Ferdinand (1904–1906)<ref name="CPchrono" />
*August Neuman (1895–1904, 1906–1910, 1914–1918)<ref name="CPchrono" /> An investor in [[Palisades Amusement Park]], he was the first mayor of the borough.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Gargiulo|first=Vince|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dmZjDsgUq9cC&q=palisades+amusement+park++acadia+mayor|title=Palisades Amusement Park: A Century of Fond Memories|date=July 1, 2006|publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=9781411661882|via=Google Books}}</ref> He asked the wife of [[Gaetano Bresci]] to move out of the town after her husband assassinated [[Umberto I of Italy]].<ref>{{cite news|date=1901|title=Mrs. Bresci Asked to Leave. Mayor of Cliffside Park, N.J., Has invited Her to Move Away to Prevent Future Trouble.|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10B11F73C5415738DDDA10994D1405B818CF1D3|access-date=2011-10-19|quote=Mayor Neuman of Cliffside Park, Bergen County, N.J., ...}}</ref> Served as [[postmaster]] 1895–1914.<ref name="CPchrono" /> He was briefly shunned by townsfolk after a forgery of his signature.<ref>{{cite news|date=April 29, 1906|title=Barber Wouldn't Shave Him|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/04/29/101776823.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0|access-date=2020-05-20}}</ref>