Primary Day 2017: Brando, Ebert Face Off In Brick GOP Mayoral Race

BRICK, NJ — Tuesday is Primary Day across New Jersey, and while the gubernatorial primaries will be the biggest draw in most areas, in Brick, there are local races likely to draw voters to the polls.

There is a contested primary in the mayoral race, with Domenick Brando and Martin Ebert both seeking the Republican nomination. There also is a contested Republican primary in the Ocean County freeholder race, where Jenny Heinz, representing the Ocean County Conservative Republicans, is challenging longtime incumbent Joseph H. Vicari.

Brando, a former Brick Township councilman, was named the township Republican Club's choice for the candidate to oppose incumbent Mayor John G. Ducey in the November 2017 election.

Brando, a retired police officer who has lived in Brick since 1995, was defeated in the 2013 council election. He and his council running mates are focused on reducing property taxes and attacking the heroin crisis in town, their campaign has said.

Ebert, who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Township Council in 2015, announced his plan to challenge Brando in mid-April. Ebert, who has lived in Brick for more than 30 years, said he decided to run because "conservative Republicans and President Trump supporters need a voice in this town and I intend to be that voice."

The polls open Tuesday at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. New Jersey is a closed primary state, meaning you must declare a party affiliation to vote in a primary. If you are an undeclared voter, you can vote in a primary but you must choose at the voting booth; the machines are set up to permit voting only in one party's primary races, Ocean County election officials said.

Those wishing to vote early have until 3 p.m. Monday (today) to obtain a ballot from the Ocean County Clerk's office. You must apply in person for the ballot at the clerk's election office in Room 107 at the Ocean County Courthouse, 118 Washington St., Toms River.

After 3 p.m. Monday, voters must obtain a court order from a judge allowing them to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot. Voters in New Jersey do not have to give a reason for seeking a vote-by-mail ballot. Anyone needing further information can call the county clerk's election office at 732-929-2153.

If you did not receive a sample ballot, copies of the official sample ballot and polling location addresses for all 33 municipalities are also available at www.oceancountyclerk.com, the County Clerk's web site, or voters can visit the County Clerk’s Facebook page.

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