Monmouth County Clerk Answers ALL Your Questions On How To Vote

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The following is a letter from Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, advising residents on everything they need to know about how to vote this fall.

Due to Gov. Murphy making New Jersey vote by mail this fall, it was her responsibility to mail out 450,000 mail-in ballot packets to all registered voters across Monmouth County.

“This is the first time in our state’s history that a general election will be conducted primarily by mail,” said Clerk Hanlon. “During a typical election in Monmouth County, a small percentage of voters have cast their votes by mail-in ballots. This year, due to the recent state mandate regarding universal mailing of ballots to all active registered voters, more than 450,000 ballots are being mailed out, and the vast majority of voters will cast their votes by mail.”

These ballot boxes have been put up in 17 locations across Monmouth County (see the list of all 17 locations here: https://www.monmouthcountyvote...). They are bolted to the ground and, in most towns, under police surveillance or security cameras.

Employees with the Monmouth County Board of Elections will be collecting the ballots from the boxes every single day until 8 p.m. on November 3.

It is looking like using a ballot drop box will be one of the best ways to hand in your vote this fall: The ballots are collected daily and taken straight to the Board of Elections headquarters in Freehold. Your regular polling place will be open Nov. 3 but voting machines will only be open to disabled voters at the polls. If you don't have a proven disability, you can vote at the polls using a paper provisional ballot only. Additionally, paper provisional ballots will be counted by each county's Board of Elections only after all mail-in ballots are counted.

From the clerk:

Dear Residents:

Recently, Governor Murphy signed a law changing the election process for the November 3, 2020 general election:

1. The election will now be conducted primarily by mail-in ballots. Ballots are being mailed to active Monmouth County voters with a postage paid return envelope.

2. There will be limited in-person polling locations open on Election Day. Voters who go to the polls will vote on provisional paper ballots.

3. There will be no voting machines, except for disabled voters. These voters can contact my office at 732-431-7790 for an accessible paper ballot.

4. Any voter who does not receive a mail-in ballot by October 13, or who misplaces or damages the ballot, can call 732-431-7790 or visit us in person at 300 Halls Mill Road, Freehold.

County Election Officials are encouraging voters to return their completed mail-in ballot early either by USPS mail, secure drop box, in-person at the Board of Elections, 300 Halls Mill Road Freehold, or by dropping off at their polling place on Election Day.

Per State law, provisional ballots cast at the polls will be reviewed and counted after all mail-in ballots are counted. Therefore, voters who go to the polls are advised to bring and drop off their mail-in ballot. A voter may only bring his or her own mail-in ballot to a polling location.

For more information, visit MonmouthCountyVotes.com or download the County Clerk’s mobile elections app, Monmouth Votes.

Sincerely,

Christine Giordano Hanlon

Monmouth County Clerk

33 Mechanic St

Freehold, NJ

732-431-7324