Basking Ridge Primary Election 2020: Who's Running, How To Vote

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Tuesday's Primary Election in Basking Ridge includes voting for two uncontested Township Committee seats for 2020.

There are two Democratic candidates and two Republican candidates running for the two open seats on the Township Committee.

James Baldassare, 51, is one of two Republican candidates running. Incumbent Mayor Baldassare has more than 30 years experience in the contract surety industry from both surety company and agency perspectives. As an executive his responsibilities include underwriting and managing surety programs, managing a team of professionals, performing extensive financial, project and management analyses, as well as expanding and growing business opportunities. Read More: Basking Ridge Primary Election Profile: James Baldassare

Dr. Sophia Chadda, 49, is one of two Democratic candidates running. Chadda has worked as a board-certified periodontist for the past 20 years. Her family includes her husband, Dr. Konstantine Trichas, and three children. Chadda has attended Columbia University, SUNY Buffalo Dental School, and Rutgers Dental School. Read More: Basking Ridge Primary Election Profile: Sophia Chadda

Kate Grochala is one of two Republican candidates running. Grochala is an attorney who has served as Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Denise Coyle where she dealt with constituent issues on a daily basis. As a result, she learned how to navigate the Trenton bureaucracy. Her responsibilities included working on proposed legislation, managing the legislative district office, preparing and presenting public presentations on behalf of Coyle, performing legal research and drafting position papers. She is also well acquainted with the affordable housing challenge facing municipalities all across New Jersey. Read More: Basking Ridge Primary Election Profile: Kate Grochala

Jon Sandler, 40, is one of two Democratic candidates running. Sandler has worked as an attorney for the past 14 years. His family includes his wife, Kelly, who works an Assistant Prosecutor in the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, and two daughters Avery, 10, and Finley, 8. Read More: Basking Ridge Primary Election Profile: Jon Sandler

If you are planning to vote in the primary, here's what you need to know about the process:

Where To Vote: In-Person

Polling locations have been decreased by fifty percent; and, therefore, election districts have been consolidated. They will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Bernards Township Community Center Garage, 289 South Maple Ave. (Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 17)
• Fellowship Deaconry, 3575 Valley Rd. (Districts 4, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18-24)

Mailing Ballots

If you received a mail-in ballot because you are a registered Republican or a registered Democrat, here are the ways you can submit your vote:

• Mail it back, following the instructions on the ballot. It must be postmarked no later than 8 p.m. on July 7, 2020, to be counted in the election.
• Deliver your completed ballot in person to the Board of Elections in your county.
• In Mercer County, the Board of Elections is located at 640 South Broad Street in Trenton.

Vote-By-Mail Drop Boxes

You can also drop your completed ballot off in a secure ballot drop box. The drop boxes are under surveillance 24 hours a day, seven days a week and ballots will be picked up daily.

In Somerset County, drop boxes can be found in these locations:

• Bernards Township Municipal Building, 1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge;
• Bridgewater Township Municipal Building, 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater;
• Somerset County Administration Building, 20 Grove Street, Somerville;
• Hillsborough Municipal Building, 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough;
• Franklin Municipal Building, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset.

The deadline for dropping your ballot off in the drop boxes is 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

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