A voter ballot drop box is now in place by the front door of the Montgomery Township municipal building at 2261 Rt. 206, Belle Mead. It is bolted in place and protected by security cameras. This is an alternative means for voters to return ballots, rather than by mail. Every active registered voter should have received or will soon be receiving a vote-by-mail ballot by mail. (Check your active voter registration status at: https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/registration-check Voter registration to vote in the November 3^rd general election ends Oct. 13^th.)

2020 BALLOT BOX LOCATIONS IN SOMERSET COUNTY

The Somerset County Clerk has created an online step-by-step photo tutorial on how to cast a vote. Go to: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/elected-officials/county-clerk/election-division/2020-general/voting-steps#ad-image-0

For a video tutorial in both English and Spanish, go to: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/2020general and click on the right tab, labeled: “VIDEO TUTORIALS”.

Interested in attending, or cannot attend but have questions you would like answered? Register at tinyurl.com/montyvirtualqanda. The Monty for Justice team will send all registered attendees Zoom credentials in advance of the event. 

Monty for Justice is a grassroots organization led primarily by Montgomery students and alumni dedicated to fighting for social justice through education and community outreach. To learn more about Monty for Justice visit us at montyforjustice.org or find us on Instagram @monty4justice. 

Is there a friend, neighbor, or family member you’ve been thinking about but haven’t had time to call lately? Is there someone who you feel comfortable speaking with – to share a good laugh or even a good cry? Check in. Reconnect. It’s good for them and it’s good for you. Find ways to stay involved in your local community. Community Initiatives are found on MontgomeryTogether.us.

Good self-care is important. Be a good caretaker to yourself by asking the following questions: Am I eating well? What can I do to sleep more soundly and be better rested? Do I find ways to get enough exercise / re-energize? Exercise releases endorphins which have a positive effect upon mood and thought patterns. Make a regular habit of doing one new activity that you find refreshing.

While good routines are essential, it is also important to get away from them occasionally and take a mental health break. Even if it’s just a stop for a coffee/tea/smoothie or an hour walk or bike ride in a park, make time to treat yourself and de-stress. Bonus: Research is confirming that the sights, sounds, and smells of a forest have a healing effect upon people.

Do not try to power through and go it alone if you find you are struggling with negative thoughts or behaviors. There are resources available to help. Reach out, especially when you don’t feel like it. Talk to a friend or family member or your doctor about how you are feeling. Just that conversation may take a burden off of your shoulders. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. (Linked from NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness). There are many community support groups and professional mental health care resources available locally to help. There is even a Crisis Text Line (text NAMI to 741-741). Take care of yourself and look out for one another! See the helplines list on MontgomeryTogether.us at:

Note: There have been four (4) new cases in Montgomery/Rocky Hill since our last report Wednesday, 9-23-20.

NJ cases: 202,100

Somerset County deaths: 573

- 165 presumed recovered^a

^a “Presumed recovered” means 30 days have elapsed since individual’s diagnosis and the person is not hospitalized.

For further statistics, go to the Health Dept.’s COVID-19 portal: https://health.montgomery.nj.us/covid19/,  State of NJ DOH’s COVID-19 Case Chart , and https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

*****DISCLAIMER***** Reported numbers on this page may not match the figures provided on the Somerset County page. This is due to differences in reporting times.

Testing Site info found at: https://health.montgomery.nj.us/covid-testing/

More news at https://twp.montgomery.nj.us/news-events/