TOMS RIVER — With the General Election approaching November 4, Ocean County officials are reminding residents they have multiple ways to cast their ballots — including in-person, by mail, or at one of 10 early voting locations opening October 25.
“Early voting allows you to vote at a location that might be convenient for your work or your home,” said John P. Kelly, director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. “It’s also a great way to cast a ballot if you’ll be away on Election Day.”
Early voting will run from October 25 through November 2, with hours set for Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters can choose any of the 10 early voting sites, which include several Ocean County Library branches and municipal buildings.
“It doesn’t matter which site you choose,” said Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione, liaison to the Ocean County Clerk. “Each location is equipped with ballots for all 33 municipalities and secure, state-of-the-art voting machines.”
Acting Ocean County Clerk John Catalano encouraged voters to visit www.oceancountyclerk.com for sample ballots, early voting details, and Vote-by-Mail information. More than 455,000 sample ballots are being mailed to registered voters, he said.
Catalano noted that the November ballot will include races for Governor and Lt. Governor, General Assembly, Ocean County Sheriff, Clerk, and Commissioners, as well as numerous local, school board, and fire district contests.
As of October 17, the County Clerk’s Office had issued more than 62,000 Vote-by-Mail ballots, with 36 percent already returned. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail is October 28, while in-person applications will be accepted at the Clerk’s Office until 3 p.m. on November 3.
Twenty secure drop boxes are located across the county, including library branches in Barnegat, Brick, Toms River, and Lavallette. All are under video surveillance on county property, Bacchione said. Ballots must be dropped off by 8 p.m. on November 4.
Voters may also deliver completed ballots directly to the Ocean County Board of Elections Office at 129 Hooper Avenue in Toms River until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Polls will be open on Election Day, November 4, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“We encourage all residents to take advantage of the voting method that works best for them — and to get out and vote,” Kelly said.
