Back in 2020, the Paterson City Council devolved into disarray after state officials
unearthed mail-in ballot irregularities.
Former Paterson City
Council President Alex Mendez, Councilman Michael Jackson, and other top city officials were hit with charges of election fraud, public records tampering, forgery and more.
Officials later revealed that some 3,190 out of 16,747 ballots cast — 20% — had to be tossed because they were disqualified. A judge then ordered a new election in November 2020, which Mendez won.