Middlesex County taking measures to ensure Primary Election

maintains health and safety of voters and poll workers

Voters have several ways to exercise right to vote in Primary,

including via mail, drop-off locations, and in-person provisional ballots

*Photo Attached*

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of the New Jersey State Primary Election, with Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 144 declaring that the election be held mainly via Vote By Mail. Despite the pandemic, Middlesex County is ensuring voters still have a safe and secure way to exercise their right to vote in this year’s primary, beginning with the mailing of the Vote By Mail ballots in June with almost 100 percent distribution by June 15.

“During this election season, ensuring the health and safety of our residents and workers is a top priority for us, second only to our mission of ensuring our voters have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. The County has been working diligently with partners at the state and the United States Postal service to design and distribute these ballots to residents, and the County encourages every resident to complete their mail-in ballots and submit those ballots via one of the many avenues provided,” said Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios.

“Middlesex County has been a leader in Vote by Mail for many years, providing the postage for the application and the ballot at no cost to our residents. Before the governor declared the Primary Election to be held mainly via Vote By Mail ballots, the County encouraged voters to utilize the program, mailing applications and launching a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate voters on Vote By Mail.  I am honored to be part of a County that puts its residents’ right to vote and health and safety above all else,” said Middlesex County Clerk Elaine Flynn.

HOW TO VOTE IN THE JULY 7 PRIMARY

Instructions for how to complete the Vote By Mail ballot are included on the ballot received in the mail or found in this instructional video. Most voters have several ways to vote in this election, all via paper ballots, which include:

• Voters may mail the ballots via the United States Postal Service at any time before July 7 (ballots must be postmarked before July 7). Postage is included at no cost to residents.
• Voters may place the ballot in one of the drop boxes located throughout the County until Tuesday, July 7 at 8 pm. A list of the current drop box locations can be found on the County website at: http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/vote2020
• Voters may drop the ballot off at the Middlesex County Board of Elections located at 11 Kennedy Blvd, East Brunswick until Tuesday, July 7 at 8 pm.
• Voters may vote in person via a provisional, paper ballot only. A limited number of machines will be available only for voters with a disability.
• Only voters with a disability may vote on a voting machine at limited locations. If you are a disabled voter and need access to an ADA device to vote on July 7, please call the Middlesex County Board of Elections at 732-745-3471.
• Voters may not drop off a Vote By Mail ballot at a polling location.

If your Vote By Mail ballot is lost, damaged or you do not believe you received it, you may request a duplicate. Please fill out the replacement ballot form on the middlesexcountynj.gov/vote2020 website and submit it to the County Clerk’s Office by mail.

The County Clerk’s Office will have extended hours of operations from 8:30 am to 7 pm on Thursday, July 2 and Monday, July 6 for any voter who would like to request a vote by mail ballot in person.

If you have any questions regarding applications or the sending of mail-in ballots for the July 7, 2020 Primary Election, please call the Elections Division at 732-745-4202. For all other questions, please call the Board of Elections at 732-745-3471.

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