Primary Election 2020: Where To Vote In Howell

HOWELL, NJ - The primary election looks different this year as the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed back the date, shuttered polls and made the contest scheduled for July 7 "primarily" vote-by-mail. And that has some people nervous about their vote getting counted.

"Our goals are twofold," Gov. Phil Murphy said when he changed the primary back in May. "To maximize our democracy while minimizing the risk of illness. We want everyone to participate in a safe, fully democratic process."

Murphy also said that there will be polling places open in every municipality to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote and at least 50 percent of the normal locations per county. Read More: Vote-By-Mail In 2020: 5 Things To Know

Murphy added that voters who have not been able to seamlessly transition to a mail-in process, like those with a disability, will be kept safe when they cast their vote.

"Social distancing protocols will be enforced within these polling locations," he said.

The Process

All registered Democratic and Republican voters will automatically receive a postage paid vote-by-mail ballot while all unaffiliated and inactive voters will automatically receive a postage paid vote-by-mail application. Those ballots can be sent back by mail or dropped in one of the boxes.

Where To Vote: In-Person

• County Election Offices will be open for walk-in services and hand deliveries at 300 Halls Mill Road in Freehold
• In-person polling will take place at Howell Library, Ardena Baptist Church, Howell Municipal Building, Freewood Acres Fire House and St. William the Abbot Church
• A full list of polling facilities can be found here.

Vote-By-Mail Drop Boxes

Vote-by-Mail Drop Boxes will be installed in five locations across Monmouth County:

• Englishtown Borough Municipal Building, 15 Main St., Englishtown, NJ
• Howell Township Municipal Building, 4567 Route 9, North Howell, NJ (Rear Entrance)
• Monmouth County Sheriff’s Shore Area Communications Center, 1825 NJ-33, Neptune, NJ
• Eatontown Borough Municipal Building, 47 Broad St., Eatontown, NJ (Rear Entrance)
• Hazlet Agency – NJ Motor Vehicle Commision, 1374 Highway 36, Hazlet, NJ (Airport Plaza)

Another key change will be the voting deadline. While all the ballots must still be postmarked by the July 7 election day, Murphy said that the deadline which votes must be received by a county board of elections – to be counted as valid – will be extended from 48 hours after the polls close to seven days after the polls close.

"We expect a greater than normal vote-by-mail turnout the deadline," he said. "And we will ensure that every vote is counted."