County Clerk Offers Extended Hours For Voters Starting This Week

TOMS RIVER, NJ - If you can't make it to the polls on Election Day, the Ocean County Clerk's Office and the Board of Elections are offering several earlier options.

THE Ocean County Clerk's Office and the Board of Elections will be open for voters to obtain and cast ballots starting on Oct. 31 through the rest of this week and over next weekend.

“It’s important every registered voter have the opportunity to cast a ballot during the general election,” said Scott M. Colabella, Ocean County Clerk. “We anticipate that by extending hours at our different sites it will allow some people to vote who might not have been able.”

Voters can obtain and cast ballots from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4 and Sunday, Nov. 5 in the basement of Ocean County Board of Elections at 129 Hooper Avenue in Toms River. Free parking is available at the Ocean County parking garage.

“By providing weekend hours we can reach those voters who may have to work on Election Day and may not be in the area,” Colabella said. “We have offered this service for several years now and it has worked out well.”

Southern Ocean County registered voters can go to the Ocean County Southern Service Center at 179 South Main St., Manahawkin from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 3.

Voters can also go to the Ocean County Clerk’s Office at the Ocean County Courthouse, 118 Washington St., Toms River, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 3. The Courthouse will also be open for in-person ballots from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7.

The deadline for all applications for vote by mail ballots is Tuesday, Oct. 31. After that, voters must apply in person to obtain a ballot. The deadline for obtaining a ballot in person is 3 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6. And, after 3 p.m. on Nov. 6, voters must obtain a court order from a Superior Court judge allowing them to apply for a ballot.

There are over 400,000 registered voters in Ocean County, which includes 130,748 Republicans; 84,956 Democrats and 184,394 undeclared voters.

A copy of the sample ballot and polling location addresses for all 33 municipalities is also available at www.oceancountyclerk.com, the County Clerk’s web site or voters can visit www.facebook.com/oceancountyclerk the County Clerk’s Facebook page.

For more on voting in person, contact the County Clerk’s Office at (732) 929-2018 or (732) 929-2153.

Photo: Patch file photo