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OCEAN COUNTY VOTERS have several options when it comes to casting their ballot for the June 2 Primary Election.
Early voting in Ocean County begins May 26 and continues through May 31 at 10 locations throughout the County. Voters may also cast their ballot by mail or vote in person on Election Day, June 2, when polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The deadline to apply for and obtain a vote by mail ballot in person is June 1 by 3 p.m.
Ocean County Clerk John P. Kelly encouraged voters to review the sample ballots mailed to more than 400,000 registered voters throughout Ocean County.
"Voters should carefully review their sample ballots, as they contain important information including polling locations, early voting sites, and Vote by Mail drop box locations," Kelly said. "Poll workers will also be available to assist voters."
Additional election information is also available on the Ocean County Clerk's website at www.clerk.co.ocean.nj.us/.
"The Ocean County Clerk's Office and the Ocean County Board of Elections work diligently to ensure elections in Ocean County are secure, convenient, and run smoothly for all residents," said Ocean County Commissioner Deputy Director Jennifier Bacchione, liaison to the Ocean County Clerk's Office. "Voting is a fundamental right, and protecting the integrity of every vote cast remains a top priority."
Early voting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 26 through May 30, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 31. Registered voters may cast their ballot at any early voting location in Ocean County.
The 10 early voting locations are: Berkeley Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 30 Station Road, Bayville; Brick Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick Township; Jackson Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson Township; Lacey Township Community Center Room C (formerly the Knights of Columbus Building) 15 East Lacey Road, Lacey Township; Lakewood Municipal Building, Courtroom, 231-3rd St., Lakewood Township; the Upper Shores Branch of the Ocean County Library, 112 Jersey City Ave., Lavallette Boro; Little Egg Harbor Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 290 Mathistown Road, Little Egg Harbor Township; Ocean County Southern Service Center, nutrition hall, 179 South Main Street, Manahawkin; Manchester Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 21 Colonial Drive, Manchester Township; and the main branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River Township.
"Registered voters in Ocean County can cast a ballot at any of the early voting locations," said Kelly. "For instance, if you live in Manahawkin but work in Toms River, you can cast your vote at the main branch of the Ocean County Library during early voting.
"The voting machines are programmed to provide you with the appropriate touch screen ballots for the town you live in," he said.
On Election Day, however, voters need to cast their votes at the poll location noted on their sample ballot.
Deputy County Clerk John Catalano reminded voters that applications for Vote by Mail ballots must now be completed in person at the Ocean County Clerk's Office, 118 Washington St., Toms River, by 3 p.m. on June 1.
"As of May 14, the Ocean County Clerk's Office has issued 45,849 Vote by Mail ballots for the June 2 Primary Election," Catalano said. "Of those, 23,795 were issued to Democrats and 22,054 to Republicans, with 11,335 ballots already returned to the Ocean County Board of Elections."
Vote by Mail ballots must be returned or postmarked by 8 p.m. on June 2 to be counted. Ballots may be returned through the mail, placed in an official drop box, or hand-delivered to the Ocean County Board of Elections, 129 Hooper Ave., Toms River.
Kelly noted the 2026 Primary Election includes races for United States Senate, Congress, Ocean County Commissioner, municipal offices, and county committee seats.
"It is advantageous for all voters to review the sample ballot they received in the mail," said Kelly. "Voters should take time to review this ballot prior to casting their vote."
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