NJ Coronavirus: Alternative Voting Suggested In Burlington County

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Burlington County officials are reminding residents about an alternative method of voting in the June 2 primary elections as new coronavirus has begun to result in the cancellations of sporting events, concerts, and other mass gatherings throughout the country.

"Voting by mail ensures all residents can vote without traveling to a polling location in a safe and secure way," Schwartz said. "This will allow the election process to continue without interruption."

This is done in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to minimize direct contact with other people and reduce the crowd size at polling locations, officials said. Those guidelines can be seen on the CDC's website.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

"I have always been an advocate for vote by mail, but now it is even more important due to the recent public health concerns," Schwartz said.

For more information on voting by mail in Burlington County, email countyclerk@co.burlington.nj.us or visit the county's website.

The website has vote by mail applications, which can also be obtained by calling the county clerk's office at 609-265-5229.

The New Jersey Department of Health has partnered with the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System to open and operate a call center (1-800-222-1222) for public use regarding questions, concerns, and other information related to coronavirus spread in New Jersey. More information is also available on the state's coronavirus webpage.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

The deadline to file petitions to run in the primaries is March 30, while the deadline for third-party candidates to file petitions to run in the general election is June 2. The deadline to register to vote is May 12. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 3 p.m. on June 1, and the deadline to return an absentee ballot is 8 p.m. on June 2. Election Day is Nov. 3.

For more on how to register and how to find your polling location, visit the state's website.