Elections 2016: What's On The Ballot, Where Do I Vote In Ocean City?

Ocean City, NJ -- For the first time since 1976, voters will be asked to vote on gambling in New Jersey when they head to the polls on Tuesday.

One of two ballot questions asks voters to decide whether two casinos should open at least 72 miles north of Atlantic City.

However, nj.com reports the ultimate question may not be whether to open the casinos, but just how much the proposal loses by.

Opponents say that approving the measure amounts to the final nail in the coffin for Atlantic City, which has seen five casinos close since 2014.

Earlier this year, Fitch Ratings predicted up to half of Atlantic City’s remaining casinos could close if new casinos opened up north, according to the report.

There are also concerns that the question doesn’t specify exactly where the casinos would be built or how much they would pay in taxes, according to the report.

However, the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford and a location in Jersey City across the Hudson River from Manhattan are the likely targets, according to ABC News.

Analysts tell ABC News they expect the casinos to bring in a range of possible revenues, from $500 million to over $1 billion. State Sen. President Stephen Sweeney said each casino would likely cost $1 billion to build, and the tax rate must be lower than a proposed number of 55 percent to give them a chance to succeed.

A recent Fairleigh Dickinson poll shows 70 percent of voters oppose the idea, leading a group in favor of the new casinos to end their ad campaign earlier this fall, according to nj.com.

The goal of the referendum is to recover revenue that is leaving the state for Pennsylvania and New York, and put it into Atlantic City and the horse racing industry, as well as programs for seniors and the disabled.

However, one recovering gambling addict told the Asbury Park Press he’s concerned that the public discourse has revolved completely around revenue and has not touched on the human aspect of addiction.

The Bergen County resident told the newspaper he isn’t necessarily waging a crusade against the referendum and he doesn’t begrudge those who enjoy gambling. However, he said he will have to change his daily routine to resist temptation to engage in activity that spiraled out of control when he was in his 20’s, and ended with him behind bars.

Voters first voted to allow casinos in Atlantic City in 1976.

It is one of two questions that will appear on the ballot statewide.

The other asks residents whether they believe revenue generated by the 23 cent gas tax increase should be dedicated for Transportation Trust Fund.

This question has generated much debate in the Governor’s Office, with Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno suggesting a “no” vote would repeal the tax altogether, and spokespeople for Gov. Chris Christie saying that is not the case; it would only send legislators back to the drawing board as far as how to spend the revenue generated.

Here are some reasons to vote “no.”

Here are some reasons to vote “yes.”

And then there’s the Presidential Election between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump.

Don’t forget about those local races, though.

In Ocean City, Board of Education members Greg Whelan and Tiffany Prettyman and newcomer Dale F. Braun Jr. will run unopposed for three open, three-year seats on the board.

Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2) will be challenged for his seat by Democrat David Cole, Ocean City resident Steven Fenichel, Libertarian John Ordille, Eric Beechwood and Gabriel Brian Franco.

The Second Congressional District covers all of Atlantic, Cumberland, Cape May and Salem counties, and parts of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Ocean counties.

Cape May County Freeholder Gerald M. Thornton and Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, both Republicans, are up for re-election, and will be challenged by Democrats Daniel Kurkowski and John Amenhauser.

About 350 Deputy Attorneys General (DAsG) will be assigned throughout the state on Election Day to help ensure a fair and smooth-running election, and to assist county election officials in resolving voting-related legal issues, according to Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino.

DAsG from the Division of Law will be stationed in each of the state’s 21 counties to handle any court applications, and to provide timely legal advice to County Superintendents of Election and Boards of Election on emergent, voting-related matters.

The DAsG will be on duty from the time the polls open until they close.

Polls are open 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

Below is the list of voting locations in Ocean City:

First Ward:
1-1: Ocean City Yacht Club, Bay Road
1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5: St. Frances Cabrini Church, 114 Atlantic Avenue

Second Ward:
2-1, 2-5: 8th Street Recreation Center, 8th Street and Haven Avenue
2-2, 2-3, 2-4: Civic Center, 901 6th Street (parking on 5th Street)

Third Ward:
3-1: Wesley Manor, 2201 Bay Avenue
3-2, 3-3, 3-4: Ocean City Library, 1735 Simpson Avenue
3-5: The Atrium of the Ocean City Library, 1735 Simpson Avenue (use front entrance on Simpson Avenue)

Fourth Ward:
4-1, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5: Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish Hall, 40th and Central Avenue
4-2: American Legion Post 524, 3304 Bay Avenue

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