Primary 2020: Where To Vote, Who Is On The Ballot In Hopatcong

HOPATCONG, NJ - The primary election looks different this year as the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed back the date, shuttered polls and made Tuesday's contest "primarily" vote-by-mail.

Locally Republicans Richard Schindelar and John Young have filed on one ticket and are facing a ticket of Heather Fiore and Patricia DelDolce.

Democrat Mara Modes has filed to secure her party's nomination in July.

The results are expected to be delayed as the deadline for the County Clerk has been extended by a week. And the vote-by-mail option has many concerned about making sure their vote counts.

But for those voters who have concerns, they can track their vote from drop box or mail-box, straight to their County Clerk's Office. Those interested can do so by creating a personalized voter account online.

"Our goals are twofold," Gov. Phil Murphy said when he changed the primary back in May. "To maximize our democracy while minimizing the risk of illness. We want everyone to participate in a safe, fully democratic process."

Murphy also said that there will be polling places open in every municipality to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote and at least 50 percent of the normal locations per county.

Murphy added that voters who have not been able to seamlessly transition to a mail-in process, like those with a disability, will be kept safe when they cast their vote.

"Social distancing protocols will be enforced within these polling locations," he said.

The Process

All registered Democratic and Republican voters will automatically receive a postage paid vote-by-mail ballot while all unaffiliated and inactive voters will automatically receive a postage paid vote-by-mail application. Those ballots can be sent back by mail or dropped in one of the boxes.

Where To Vote: In-Person

• Hopatcong residents can vote at Hopatcong #2 Firehouse at 440 Maxim Drive and at Hopatcong #3 Firehouse at 43 Hopatchung Road.

Vote-By-Mail Drop Boxes

• Vernon Township Municipal Building
• Hardyston Township Municipal Building
• Sparta Township Municipal Building
• Hopatcong Borough Municipal Building
• Newton Town Municipal Building

The drop boxes will be monitored, security camera surveillance, and will have daily pickups by the County Board of Elections

Another key change will be the voting deadline. While all the ballots must still be postmarked by the July 7 election day, Murphy said that the deadline which votes must be received by a county board of elections – to be counted as valid – will be extended from 48 hours after the polls close to seven days after the polls close.

"We expect a greater than normal vote-by-mail turnout the deadline," he said. "And we will ensure that every vote is counted."

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