Brick 2016 Election Guide: Where To Vote, Candidates, And More

BRICK, NJ — The 2016 election is almost here. With 24/7 coverage of the presidential race, it's easy to forget there are other races that you, as a voter, have a say in.

In Brick Township this year, none of the council seats are up for grabs, however, there are two seats on the Board of Education that are being contested. Incumbent Karyn Cusanelli and George White, who was elected last fall to fill the unexpired term of John Talty, are not seeking re-election.

There are six candidates for the two, three-year terms. In alphabetical order, they are Walt Campbell, Madeline Colagiovianni-Iannarone, Victor Finamore, Melita Gagliardi, Daisy Haffner and John O'Rourke.

Finamore and O'Rourke are running together under the "Brick Students First" banner. Haffner and Gagliardi are running mates under the banner of "New Voices For Brick." Campbell and Colagiovanni-Iannarone are both running solo campaigns.

At the Ocean County level, longtime incumbent Freeholder John P. "Jack" Kelly and Virginia E. Haines, who was appointed earlier this year to finish the term of Freeholder James Lacey, who resigned in January, are the Republican candidates. They are being challenged by Democrats Ed Wolff and Michael B. Cooke, and John J. Novak, who represents the Great Opportunity Party.

In the race for Ocean County Sheriff, incumbent Michael Mastronardy, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Sal Ottaviano, and Michael G. Osborn, who is running under the "Honor, Integrity, Pride" banner.

Brick voters also are being asked to vote on a House of Representatives race, where Republican Tom MacArthur, the incumbent, is being challenged by Democrat Frederick John LaVergne and by Lawrence W. Berlinski Jr., who represents the Constitution Party.

In addition, there are two ballot questions. The first asks voters to approve a constitutional amendment to permit casinos to be built outside of Atlantic City. The second asks voters to approve a constitutional amendment to dedicate money from the tax on diesel fuel to the Transportation Trust Fund.

The Ballotpedia website has additional information on the casinos question; click here.

The Ballotpedia site also has additional information on the gas tax question, which has become the subject of vocal opposition that includes Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. Read more here.

If you have not seen your sample ballot, click here.

If you are not sure what voting district you belong to — Brick has 57 — you can call the Ocean County Board of Elections at (732) 929-2153.

The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

If you have any issues with being permitted to vote, or have concerns about voter fraud, you can call the offices of U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said his office will receive and respond to reports of election irregularities, voter intimidation or any other activities that would interfere with a citizen’s right to vote on Nov. 8.

The Election Day Hotline – 888-636-6596 – will be active Nov. 7 through Nov. 9 and will be staffed live on Election day in English and in Spanish, Fishman said.

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