If you’ve spent any time following the local political circuit in Passaic County, you know the name Alex Mendez. He’s the guy who seems to be everywhere in Paterson, whether it's at a 3rd Ward community meeting or on the front page of a legal indictment. Honestly, his career is a bit of a roller coaster. One day he’s celebrating a hard-fought election win, and the next, he’s facing a fresh set of headlines from the Attorney General's office. It’s a lot to keep track of, even for people who live right in the Silk City.
Right now, as we head into 2026, Mendez remains a central, if polarizing, figure in Paterson’s government. He still represents the 3rd Ward on the City Council. But the shadow of a long-running election fraud case continues to hang over everything he does. You can't really talk about Alex Mendez in Paterson NJ without talking about the 2020 election that changed everything.
The 2020 Election That Never Really Ended
Most people remember the May 2020 municipal election for all the wrong reasons. Because of the pandemic, it was the first time Paterson went all-in on mail-in ballots. It was supposed to be a safe way to vote, but it turned into a massive headache. Mendez was running to reclaim his seat in the 3rd Ward against long-time incumbent William McKoy.
Mendez won. Or, at least, it looked like he did at first.
Then things got weird.
Postal inspectors found hundreds of ballots stuffed into a single mailbox in Haledon. The Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) stepped in, and suddenly, the victory was on ice. A judge eventually threw out the results, and a new election had to be held that November. Mendez won that one, too, but the legal trouble was just getting started.
Why the Charges Are So Serious
It wasn't just a minor paperwork error. The state alleged a coordinated effort to tamper with the democratic process.
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- Unauthorized Possession: Investigators claimed Mendez and his team personally collected mail-in ballots, which is a big no-no under New Jersey’s Vote-By-Mail law.
- Tampering: There were allegations that ballots were inspected at campaign headquarters and, if they weren't for Mendez, they were destroyed or replaced.
- Witness Tampering: This is the part that really turned heads. Later indictments suggested that there were attempts to contact and influence witnesses after the initial charges were filed.
Mendez has consistently maintained his innocence. He often frames these legal battles as a "political witch hunt" orchestrated by his rivals, specifically pointing toward the administration of Mayor Andre Sayegh. It’s a classic Paterson standoff: the street-level populist versus the city hall establishment.
Life on the Council in 2026
Despite the indictments, Mendez hasn't gone anywhere. He’s still sitting in those Tuesday night council meetings, debating the budget and complaining about the city's crumbling infrastructure. If you watch the live streams, you’ll see him as one of the most vocal critics of the current administration.
His supporters in the 3rd Ward are incredibly loyal. To them, he’s the guy who answers his phone when their trash doesn't get picked up or when a street light goes out. That local, "boots on the ground" reputation is why he manages to win elections even while facing second-degree charges that could carry a 10-year prison sentence.
He basically operates on a split track. On one track, he’s a working legislator dealing with:
- Public Safety: Pushing for more patrols in high-crime areas of the 3rd Ward.
- Development: Arguing over how the Great Falls area should be revitalized.
- Taxes: Constantly railing against the rising cost of living for Paterson's working class.
On the other track, his legal team is constantly filing motions, delaying trials, and preparing for a day in court that has felt like it's "just around the corner" for years.
The Recent Superseding Indictment
Just when people thought the case might be cooling off, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin dropped a superseding indictment in late 2025. This wasn't just a rehash of old news. It added more specific details about the alleged conspiracy.
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The new charges also named his wife, Yohanny Mendez, and several campaign associates. This raised the stakes significantly. It’s one thing to fight a legal battle yourself; it’s another when your family is brought into the mix. The prosecution’s theory is that the campaign wasn't just disorganized—it was a "criminal enterprise" designed to steal an election.
Again, Mendez hasn't blinked. He shows up to work. He posts on social media. He attends community events. It’s a level of political resilience that you rarely see outside of New Jersey.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that Mendez has already been convicted or that he’s serving on the council "illegally." That’s not true. Under the law, he’s presumed innocent until proven guilty. There is no New Jersey law that automatically removes a council member from office just because they’ve been indicted.
Removal usually only happens if there is a conviction for a "crime of moral turpitude" or a high-level felony that relates to their office. So, until a jury says otherwise, Alex Mendez is the 3rd Ward Councilman.
The Political Fallout
The constant drama has a real impact on Paterson. The City Council is often paralyzed by infighting. When you have a Councilman—and at various points, the Council President—under indictment, it makes it harder for the city to get things done with the state or federal government.
Who wants to sign off on a multimillion-dollar grant when the person leading the meetings is facing fraud charges? It creates a "cloud," as some of his colleagues put it, over every vote the council takes.
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What's Next for Alex Mendez?
The trial date is the big question mark. We've seen years of delays, partly due to the complexity of the evidence (which includes audio recordings and hundreds of individual ballots) and partly due to the typical slow pace of the justice system.
If Mendez is cleared, he immediately becomes a front-runner for the Mayor's office in the next cycle. He’s already run for Mayor before, coming in second in 2018. His base is energized by his "fighter" persona.
However, if he is convicted, it will trigger a massive political shift in Paterson. A special election would be needed for the 3rd Ward, and the Sayegh administration would lose its most persistent thorn in the side.
Actionable Steps for Paterson Residents
If you live in Paterson or the 3rd Ward, staying informed is your only real lever of power. Here is how you can actually keep tabs on this situation without getting lost in the rumors:
- Watch the Live Streams: The Paterson City Council meetings are streamed on the city's official website and YouTube. You can see Mendez in action and decide for yourself if he's effectively representing your interests.
- Check the OPIA Updates: The NJ Attorney General’s website has a dedicated section for "Public Integrity" cases. They post the actual press releases and links to indictments there. Read the actual documents, not just the social media summaries.
- Attend Ward Meetings: Mendez frequently holds 3rd Ward meetings. These are the best places to ask him directly about his stance on local issues like property taxes and crime.
- Register to Vote: Regardless of how you feel about the legal case, the 2026 and 2027 election cycles will be pivotal for Paterson. Make sure your registration is current, especially if you have moved recently.
The story of Alex Mendez in Paterson NJ is far from over. It’s a complicated mix of local loyalty, serious legal allegations, and a fight for the future of New Jersey's third-largest city. Whether he’s a victim of a political machine or a politician who took things too far is a question that only a jury—and eventually the voters—will answer.