A brick municipal township building with white columns, a clock cupola, and an American flag on a landscaped lawn.

Independent · Nonpartisan · Student-run

Across the Ballot

Helping Hillsborough Voters Make Informed Decisions

Across the Ballot is an independent student civic education project dedicated to helping Hillsborough residents learn about candidates and local issues through factual, balanced, and accessible information.

Covering the 2026 Hillsborough Township Committee Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Meet the Candidates Compare the Candidates Read the Interviews

Countdown to Election Day

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Tuesday, November 3, 2026 · Polls 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. · Confirm dates with the New Jersey Division of Elections.

Start here

Everything on this site is organized so a Hillsborough resident can answer one question at a time.

Meet the CandidatesFour profiles with identical structure: background, service, and platform.Open Candidate InterviewsThe same ten questions sent to every candidate, published as received.Open Candidate ComparisonSide-by-side positions across twelve township issues.Open Election IssuesPlain-language explainers on taxes, development, safety, and more.Open Voting InformationDates, deadlines, and how to check your registration and polling place.Open Election TimelineFrom candidate announcements through certification of results.Open Election NewsDated, sourced updates on the race and township election coverage.Open About the CreatorWho runs Across the Ballot and the editorial standards behind it.Open

Who is running

Four candidates are seeking seats on the Hillsborough Township Committee. Profiles are listed alphabetically by last name and use identical formatting.

Samantha Hand

Corporate Executive

DemocratIncumbentInterview Response Received

Samantha Hand was first elected to the Hillsborough Township Committee in 2023. She is a corporate executive with leadership and management experience and has been involved in Hillsborough community organizations for more than a decade.

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Rob Movshin

Operations and logistics executive

RepublicanNew candidateNo Response Received

Rob Movshin is a longtime Hillsborough resident, operations executive, and retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and New Jersey Army National Guard. He served nearly three decades in the military and earned a Bronze Star.

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Catherine Payne

Operations and project management professional

RepublicanIncumbentNo Response Received

Catherine Payne currently serves on the Hillsborough Township Committee and as Mayor. She is an operations and project management professional with experience leading complex initiatives and improving organizational efficiency.

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Meghann Valeo

Licensed Professional Engineer — Civil Engineering

DemocratNew candidateInterview Response Received

Meghann Valeo is a United States Army veteran, licensed Professional Engineer, and longtime Hillsborough community volunteer. She served as a Military Police Platoon Leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom and received a Bronze Star Medal.

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Interview participation status

Every candidate received the same ten questions. Status is reported factually; no inference should be drawn from a non-response.

Samantha Hand
Interview Response Received
Rob Movshin
No Response Received
Catherine Payne
No Response Received
Meghann Valeo
Interview Response Received

Why local elections matter

Decisions made by a township governing body can affect everyday life in ways that are easy to overlook. This section is educational and does not advocate for any position.

Property taxes

Roads

Parks

Public safety

Township budget

Recreation

Community planning

Development

Infrastructure

Local services

Local government decisions are typically made in public meetings, documented in agendas, minutes, and adopted ordinances. Learning how the Township Committee works makes it easier to follow those decisions before they are finalized.