2016 Toms River Election Guide: Where To Vote, Candidates, And More

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The 2016 election is almost here. With 24/7 coverage of the presidential race, it's easy to forget there are other races that you, as a voter, have a say in.

In the Toms River area this year, there are elections for both municipal races and seats on the Toms River Regional Board of Education.

In Beachwood, there is one three-year term on the regional school board, with three candidates: Daniel Leonard, Leslie G. Brown and Alexander Mizenko. Gloria McCormack, who served the most recent term, is not seeking re-election. Beachwood also has two, three-year council terms up for grabs with two Republican candidates, Edward A. Zacar and Gerald LaCrosse, running unopposed.

In Pine Beach, there are two, three-year terms on the council with three candidates seeking them: Republicans Barry Wieck and Raymond Newman, and Democrat Kyle Minichino. There are two candidates for the Toms River Regional school board seat representing Pine Beach: Russell Corby, who has been serving out the unexpired term of Walter Ramsay, and Jennifer Etzkorn.

South Toms River has four candidates seeking two, three-year terms on the Borough Council. Republicans Tanya Mosley and William Gleason are opposed by Democrats Gregory Handshy and Ernest Reevey.

In Toms River Township, the one-year unexpired term of Brian Kubiel representing Ward 2 on the Toms River council is contested by Republican Kevin Geoghegan, who was appointed for this year, and Democrat Daniel Rodrick. There are two, three-year seats on the Toms River Regional Board of Education that are being contested, with four candidates seeking those seats. Incumbent Ginny Rhine; Al Caporaso; Janet Bell, and Alfred Schwartz all are seeking the seats.

The campaigns for the Toms River school board seats have been ugly, with candidates for seats attacking candidates for seats in other towns through campaign mailers, social media and even at Board of Education meetings.

At the Ocean County level, longtime incumbent Freeholder John P. "Jack" Kelly and Virginia E. Haines, who was appointed earlier this year to finish the term of Freeholder James Lacey, who resigned in January, are the Republican candidates. They are being challenged by Democrats Ed Wolff and Michael B. Cooke, and John J. Novak, who represents the Great Opportunity Party.

In the race for Ocean County Sheriff, incumbent Michael Mastronardy, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Sal Ottaviano, and Michael G. Osborn, who is running under the "Honor, Integrity, Pride" banner.

Toms River voters also are being asked to vote on a House of Representatives race, where Republican Tom MacArthur, the incumbent, is being challenged by Democrat Frederick John LaVergne and by Lawrence W. Berlinski Jr., who represents the Constitution Party.

In addition, there are two ballot questions. The first asks voters to approve a constitutional amendment to permit casinos to be built outside of Atlantic City. The second asks voters to approve a constitutional amendment to dedicate money from the tax on diesel fuel to the Transportation Trust Fund.

The Ballotpedia website has additional information on the casinos question; click here.

The Ballotpedia site also has additional information on the gas tax question, which has become the subject of vocal opposition that includes Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. Read more here.

If you have not seen your sample ballot, click here.

If you are not sure what voting district you belong to — Toms River has 63 — you can call the Ocean County Board of Elections at (732) 929-2153.

The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

If you have any issues with being permitted to vote, or have concerns about voter fraud, you can call the offices of U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said his office will receive and respond to reports of election irregularities, voter intimidation or any other activities that would interfere with a citizen’s right to vote on Nov. 8.

The Election Day Hotline – 888-636-6596 – will be active Nov. 7 through Nov. 9 and will be staffed live on Election day in English and in Spanish, Fishman said.

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