OCEAN COUNTY – In an effort to save money and give New Jersey voters more time to weigh positions of the candidates running for governor in the November 7 General Election, official statements by Republican Kim Guadagno and Democrat Phil Murphy can now be viewed by the public on the Ocean County Clerk’s website, oceancountyclerk.com
New Jersey law allows the gubernatorial candidates to submit 500-word statements about their candidacies to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) in an effort to guide voters in the right direction. In the past, these statements were printed on the Official Voting Machine Sample Ballots and mailed to voters.
Governor Christie signed a law passed by the State Legislature on August 21 requiring the statements to be posted all 21 County Clerk websites, as well as the State Division of Elections and ELEC websites.
Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella noted that the change not only provides cost savings for the county and easier, one-click access, but allows voters to view the statements well in advance of Election Day, as opposed to seeing them on the Sample Ballot only a few days before casting their vote.
“This approach is more accessible and provides more time for voters to get to know the candidates that are running,” said Colabella.
A hard copy of the statements can still be obtained by visiting the Ocean County Clerk’s Office at 118 Washington Street in Toms River or by calling 732-929-2018.
“It’s important everyone have the opportunity to access this important information,” said Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, who serves as liaison to the Clerk’s Office.
