RUNNING: Hopatcong at the Polls

Update 12:52 p.m.

Vince Nardone has lived in Hopatcong for three years. The former Maplewood resident said he voted for most of the independents he could find on Tuesday's ballot. "When an independant came up, I went with them," he said. "The two-party system really isn't working in this country." He said, however, he did go with all Republicans for the borough elections. Nardone said he didn't know about the that grew over the weekend. Nardone said he wouldn't regret voting for independents if they don't win. "I don't know if they can pull it off, but if they see the votes as encouragement, it's not really a lost vote," he said.

That brings me to you: How are you voting today? And what issues are on your mind when you enter the booth?

Also, what have you seen out there? Had the process gone smoothily? Anything unexpected?

Tell us in the comments.

Update 12:31 p.m.

Just spoke with 11-year Hopatcong resident Monika Morin outside the senior center.

Morin said she's a Republican and voted down the party line in the borough. And she said she did pretty much the same for the legislative elections, except for one part: Morin said she voted for Rose Ann Salanitri, a District 24 assembly candidate and tea party supporter.

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Hey, everyone. It's a little after noon and I'm at the Hopatcong Senior Citizen Center talking to voters about their decisions. It's been sort of slow at the center throughout the morning, poll worker Frank Parrillo said. "I expect it to pick up as people come home from work," he said. Parrillo, however, was a little surprised by the lack of activity considering the weather's warm and sunny.

A few minutes ago, 43-year Hopatcong resident Roy McQueen made his vote. A retired courier, McQueen said he voted mostly Republican. He said he's known Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose personally for years. Both Oroho and McHose are up for re-election.

As for borough elections, McQueen said he went with Sylvia Petillo for mayor. "I think she did a good job," McQueen said. "There was a lot of controversy. I'm the person who thinks an elected official is voted to lead. And if you don't lead, you should get out." He added: "She didn't have very much to work with. She was forthright and honest. I didn't like all of the polices that she put through. But she leads. And that's what a leader does—leads."

We're still here talking to voters. If you want to talk, feel free to swing by.