OCEAN COUNTY – There are different ways for residents to make their vote count as far casting their ballots for the June 4 Primary Election.
Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella encouraged everyone to review the sample ballot sent out from his office to the more than 400,000 voters living in Ocean County. “Voters should carefully review their sample ballots. There is a wealth of helpful information included,” he said.
“In addition, poll workers will be available at polling places to assist voters casting their ballot,” he added, noting that the information on the sample ballots including poll locations, vote by mail drop box locations and early voting locations is also available on the Ocean County Clerk’s website at clerk.co.ocean.nj.us.
Colabella noted that 2024 is a presidential election along with candidates for U.S. Senate and Congressional seats. There are also county and local races on the ballot.
Colabella said that as a result of a federal court decision earlier this year, the Democratic Party ballot is now a block style ballot design listing all candidates and the respective office they are running for in one column.
“The sample ballot highlights the changes,” Colabella said. “While it is advantageous for all voters to review the sample ballot they received in the mail, Democratic voters should take time to review the new ballot style prior to casting their vote.”
The Republican Primary Ballot design is the same as previous elections.
Photo by Bob Vosseller
Early Voting
Early voting in Ocean County is one option and it starts on May 29 and continues through June 2 at 10 locations.
Early voting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., on May 29, 30, 31 and June 1; and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 2.
The 10 early voting locations are: Berkeley Library, 30 Station Road, Bayville; Brick Library, 301 Chambersbridge Road, Brick; Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson; Lacey Community Center Room C (formerly the Knights of Columbus Building) 15 East Lacey Road, Lacey; Lakewood Municipal Building, Courtroom, 231-3rd St., Lakewood; the Upper Shores Branch of the Ocean County Library, 112 Jersey City Ave., Lavallette; Little Egg Harbor Township Library, 290 Mathistown Road, Little Egg Harbor; Ocean County Southern Service Center, nutrition site, 179 South Main Street, Manahawkin; Manchester Library, 21 Colonial Drive, Manchester; and the main branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River.
Colabella said, “registered voters in Ocean County can cast a ballot at any of the early voting locations. For instance, if you live in Stafford Township but work in Toms River, you can cast your vote at the main branch of the Ocean County Library during early voting.”
“The voting machines are programmed to provide you with the appropriate ballots for the town you live in,” he added.
Vote On June 4
Voters can also vote the traditional way on Primary Election Day itself, June 4, by visiting their polling place.
On June 4, however, voters need to cast their votes at the poll location noted on their sample ballot. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Archive Photo: Lavallette resident Ken Trimmer drops off his ballot into the drop box in front of the Upper Shores branch of the Ocean County Library in Lavallette. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Vote By Mail
Voters can also vote by mail and the deadline to apply for and obtain a vote by mail ballot in person is June 3.
Colabella noted that voters can still apply for a vote by mail ballot but must do so in person at the Ocean County Clerk’s Office at 118 Washington Street, Toms River. The deadline to apply for a vote by mail ballot is 3 p.m. on June 3.
The Ocean County Clerk’s Office has issued as of May 28, 43,556 vote by mail ballots to registered voters for the June 4 Primary.
“Of the total issued, 22,469 were issued to Democrats and 21,087 were issued to Republicans. The number of Vote by Mail ballots returned so far to the Ocean County Board of Elections total 15,815,” Colabella said.
“We remind and urge all voters who have received a vote by mail ballot to return their voted ballot to the Board of Elections by the close of polls at 8 p.m. on Tuesday June 4,” Colabella added. “Voters can return their vote by mail ballot thru the United States mail (postage paid-free of charge); drop their ballot at a vote by mail drop box or deliver it to the Board of Elections at 129 Hooper Ave. in Toms River.”
All vote by mail ballots must be returned or postmarked by 8 p.m., June 4, 2024 to be counted.
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