Primary Election Day 2021 In Hopatcong: When, Where To Vote

NORTH JERSEY — The New Jersey Primary Election for 2021 is set for June 8 and although it will be primarily a vote in-person, there are still several options to make sure your vote is counted.

In our area that includes voting at a polling location, using a secure drop box, mailing your ballot back or hand delivering it to your local board of elections.
“We want to be sure voters know the resources available to them as well as the key deadlines ahead of the upcoming elections,” said New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “From information on how to vote in person, where to find secure ballot drop box locations or how to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot, we’re making it as easy as possible for voters to exercise their right to participate in this important process.”

The Rundown

• Election date: June 8
• Check if you are registered to vote.
• Where can I drop off my ballot?
• Track my mail-in ballot.
• Where can I vote in person?

What And Who Are On The Ballot?

• Gubernatorial Race: Current Governor Phil Murphy is running unopposed for the nomination of the Democratic Party.

Here's who is on the Republican ballot:

• Jack Ciattarelli, a former 16th Legislative District Assemblyman from 2011 to 2018 and Hillsborough resident. He previously ran for governor in 2017, coming in second in the primaries behind then-Republican nominee Kim Guadagno. Ciattarelli's platform is centered on relaxing pandemic-related restrictions and reinvigorating the New Jersey economy in the wake of the health crisis. He's already gained backing from U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew as well as multiple county chairs (including those in Bergen, Atlantic, Somerset, Essex, Salem and more) and has pivoted his focus to attacking Murphy. Read more: NJ Gov Candidate Calls For Gathering Limit, Face Mask Lift By May

• Brian D. Levine, a former Somerset freeholder and Franklin Township mayor. He held the mayoral post for 10 years until 2014, when he then ran for freeholder. He lost his bid for a third term in 2020. According to NJ 101.5, he's self-described as fiscally conservative but not ideologically, maintaining that his occupational background as a CPA would benefit New Jersey's economic compass.

• Hirsh V. Singh, a perennial candidate who has announced bids to run for governor in 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018 and the U.S. Senate in 2020. He is a businessman with a background in engineering who runs his family's security firm. Born in Atlantic City, Singh lives in Linwood and graduated from NJIT. He is trying to paint himself as the more pro-Trump Republican and Ciattarelli as too moderate.

• Philip Rizzo, a Harding Township resident, real estate developer and pastor of the conservative City Baptist church in North Bergen. He's an avowed supporter of former President Trump, takes a pro-life stance and has never run for political office.

Ciattarelli and Murphy are the only candidates to qualify for public funds, which caps candidates at spending $7.3 million during the primary election

• Senate Races: While there are no candidates who filed petitions for a Legislative Dist. 24 Senate spot in the Democratic primary, Republican incumbent Sen. Steven Oroho faces a challenger this round, with newcomer Daniel Cruz also on the Republican ballot.
• Assembly Races: Incumbent Republican Assemblymen F. Parker Space and Harold "Hal" Wirths, are unopposed in the primary for their seats in the 24th Legislative Dist. However, a lone candidate on the Democrat's primary ticket, Scott P. Fadden, will run against them in November.
• Locally in Hopatcong: Republican incumbents Hopatcong Borough Councilwoman Dawn Roberts and Councilman Ryan Smith run unopposed in the primary in an uncontested race. In November, they will run against Mara Modes - the only Democrat on the party's primary ballot - who had attempted to unseat Councilman Richard Schindelar or Councilman John Young in the 2020 General Election.

Where Can I Vote?

Registered voters can vote in person at their local polling place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 8.
Voters should know to:

• Find their current polling location using Vote.NJ.Gov’s polling location tool and decide whether they will vote in person or request a vote-by-mail ballot.

Returning a vote-by-mail ballot is once again as easy as VOTE, SIGN, SEAL, RETURN. Return options include:

• Go to the Vote By Mail page on Vote.NJ.Gov to download and print an application for vote-by-mail ballot. Then, mail or deliver the completed application to the appropriate local County Clerk. To be sent a ballot by mail for the June 8 primary election, the application must be received by June 1.

• Apply in person at a voter’s local County Clerk by 3 p.m. on June 7 for the June 8 primary election. Find the contact details at Vote.NJ.Gov.

Returning a vote-by-mail ballot is once again as easy as VOTE, SIGN, SEAL, RETURN. Return options include:

• Mail: It must be postmarked on or before 8:00 p.m. on June 8 and received by June 14.

• Secure Ballot Drop Box: Place it in one of their county’s secure ballot drop boxes in use by 8 p.m. June 8 for the primary election. Drop box locations can be found at Vote.NJ.Gov.

• Board of Elections Office: Deliver in person to the county Board of Elections by 8:00 p.m. June 8 for the primary election.
• NOTE: Vote-by-mail ballots CANNOT be returned to polling places for this election.

For more details on the June 8 primary election, visit Vote.NJ.Gov.