Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 24. Here’s when and where to vote, who’s on the ballot and where to find MercerMe’s candidate coverage.
Election Day is almost here, and Hopewell Valley voters can begin casting their ballots Saturday, Oct. 24, as New Jersey opens nine days of early in-person voting ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
From races for Congress and local governing bodies to school boards, fire commissioners and questions about the future of Hopewell Township government, voters across the Valley have a number of decisions to make.
MercerMe has published candidate questionnaires and election coverage to help residents learn about the people seeking office and the issues on the ballot. Here’s a guide to what voters need to know before heading to the polls.
When and where to vote
Early in-person voting runs from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1. Voting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
For Hopewell Valley residents, the most convenient early voting location is the Pennington Fire Department, 120 Broemel Place in Pennington.
Voters may cast their ballots at any of Mercer County’s eight early voting locations, regardless of where they live within the county.
Other early voting locations include the Mercer County Office Park in Ewing, the Mercer County Library in Lawrence, the Princeton Municipal Building and sites in East Windsor, Hamilton, Trenton and West Windsor.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Election Day, voters must use their assigned polling location rather than any early voting site.
Voters who received mail-in ballots can return them using designated secure drop boxes, including one at the Hopewell Township Administration Building, 201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, near Scotch Road. The county’s sample ballots also provide information about returning ballots by mail or directly to election officials.
What’s on the ballot?
All Hopewell Valley voters will see federal and county races, while municipal, school board and fire district contests vary depending on where they live.
Federal and county elections
Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker is seeking another six-year term, facing Republican Justin Murphy, Veronica Fernandez of the End the Corruption! ballot designation and Joanne Kuniansky of the Socialist Workers Party.
In New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, voters will choose a successor to retiring Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, who has represented the district since 2015.
Four candidates are seeking the two-year congressional term: Democrat Adam Hamawy, Republican Gregg Mele, Winston Jordan, running under the Get Money Out designation, and Green Party candidate Andres Jinete. You can learn more about them here.
The Mercer County ballot also includes contests for sheriff, surrogate and two seats on the Board of County Commissioners.
Democratic Sheriff John A. “Jack” Kemler faces Republican David Meiswinkle, while Democrat Diane Gerofsky and Republican Priscilla DeVine are running for surrogate.
For county commissioner, Democrats Nakia White Barr and Lucylle R.S. Walter face Republicans Kevin Monte de Ramos and Donald Ober. Voters may select two candidates.
Hopewell Township
Four candidates are seeking two seats on the Hopewell Township Committee.
Democrats Michael Ruger, an incumbent, and Sophie Purgavie face Republicans John Hart, a former mayor, and Steven Niederer.
The race comes as the township continues to address development, affordable housing obligations, infrastructure needs and questions about how revenue from payment in lieu of taxes agreements should be used.
MercerMe invited all four candidates to answer 12 questions about their backgrounds, priorities and positions on issues facing the township.
Read: Meet the 2026 Hopewell Township Committee candidates
Hopewell Township voters will also decide whether to establish a five-member Charter Study Commission to examine the township’s current form of government and consider possible changes.
The ballot contains two separate decisions: a yes-or-no question about creating the commission and an election to choose five commissioners from nine candidates.
A yes vote supports establishing the commission. A no vote opposes its creation. Voters may select up to five commission candidates regardless of how they vote on the question. The five candidates receiving the most votes would serve only if the commission is approved.
Establishing a commission would not itself change Hopewell Township’s form of government. The commission would study alternatives, seek public input and make recommendations.
Read: Meet the 2026 Hopewell Township Charter Study Commission candidates
Hopewell Township voters will also elect two fire commissioners from a field of three candidates: Thomas Pearse-Drance, Linda Abey and Kevin R. Baranowski.
Read: Meet the 2026 Hopewell Township Board of Fire Commissioners candidate
A separate fire district ballot question asks voters to authorize financing of up to $1,164,965 for an ambulance, self-contained breathing apparatus and related equipment. The purchases involve cost-sharing arrangements with neighboring fire districts.
Hopewell Borough
Three candidates are seeking two seats on the Hopewell Borough Council: Democrats Justine Levine and Sheri Hook and James E. Higgins, running under the Putting Hopewell First designation. Republicans did not nominate candidates for the two seats.
Read: Meet the 2026 Hopewell Borough Council candidates
Hopewell Borough voters will also elect two fire commissioners. Gregory Davies and William H. Springer Jr. are the two candidates listed on the ballot.
A separate fire district question asks voters to authorize the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus and related equipment at a total cost not exceeding $268,000.
Under the proposed cost-sharing arrangement, Hopewell Township Fire District No. 1 would cover 70% of the purchase, or $187,600. Hopewell Borough taxpayers would be responsible for the remaining 30%, up to $80,400, through taxation, existing capital funds or financing.
Pennington Borough
Two Democrats, Catherine “Kit” Chandler and John J. Valenza II, are running for two seats on the Pennington Borough Council. Republicans did not nominate candidates for either seat.
Read: Meet the 2026 Pennington Borough Council candidates
Pennington voters will also elect two fire commissioners, with Ross Dodd and Scott T. Schaub listed on the ballot.
Hopewell Valley Regional School District
Four candidates are running unopposed for four seats on the Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education.
Incumbents Pamela Lilleston and John Slotman and newcomer Luis Martinez are seeking three-year terms. William “Bill” Keithler, who was appointed to the board this fall, is running separately to complete a two-year unexpired term.
Although the races are uncontested, the candidates will help oversee district finances, growing enrollment and implementation of the $84.2 million bond referendum approved by voters last year.
MercerMe invited the candidates to answer questions about school funding, curriculum, artificial intelligence, student needs and other issues facing the district.
Read: Meet the 2026 Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education candidates
Find more election coverage
MercerMe’s election coverage includes candidate questionnaires, reporting on local races and information about issues facing Hopewell Valley voters.
For additional stories and updates, visit our Election 2026 coverage page.
Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 24, and continues through Nov. 1. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
