Burlington County elections officials are advising registered voters who requested a vote-by-mail (VBM) ballot for the upcoming primary election on June 2 to be on the lookout for their ballots.
More than 40,000 VBM ballots were sent to county voters registered with either the Republican or Democratic parties. Voters can cast their ballots in multiple ways, including by mail, drop box or by bringing them directly to the county elections office.
No postage is necessary to return a VBM ballot by mail in the county.
“Voting by mail is a simple and easy way for voters to cast their ballot when it is most convenient for them and their schedule,” explained county Clerk Joanne Schwartz. “It’s an easy and secure way to exercise this important right, and it’s not too late to request a VBM ballot.”
Registered Republicans and Democrats who want to vote with a VBM ballot can still request one from the clerk’s office. Tuesday, May 26, is the deadline to receive one in the mail. After May 26, and until 3 p.m. on Monday, June 1, VBM applications must be requested in person at the clerk’s office, 50 Rancocas Road in Mount Holly, or at the county elections office, 301 Harper Drive in Moorestown.
Voters can request a VBM ballot online with New Jersey’s new online application system. To make a request, go to https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/mib-request. A valid driver’s license or non-driver identification card issued by the state Motor Vehicle Commission or a Social Security number is required.
A paper ballot request form can be found at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/996/Vote-by-Mail-Information.
Completed VBM ballots can be placed in any of the 29 secure drop boxes located throughout the country. A list is available at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/2102/Secure-Ballot-Drop-Boxes.
Voters may also hand deliver VBM ballots directly to the elections office or mail them via the U.S. Postal Service. All completed VBM ballots must be postmarked, placed in a secure drop box or hand delivered to the election board before polls close at 8 p.m. on June 2.
While only declared Republicans and Democrats can cast ballots in the primary election, unaffiliated voters can participate by declaring a party affiliation with either party. Declaration forms are available from the county Superintendent of Elections or online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/556/Forms-Documents.
Completed forms should be returned to the election office in Moorestown. Voters can also use the online voter registration application at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/register to update their party affiliation.
Unaffiliated voters have until Tuesday, May 26 to declare a party affiliation to receive a VBM ballot in the mail. Unaffiliated voters who miss that deadline can still vote in person during the early-voting period, from that date through Sunday, May 31, or on primary election day on June 2.
Those unaffiliated voters will be required to change their party affiliations to either Democrat or Republican before casting their ballot.
Voters with questions about the election or voting process can call the Burlington County Elections hotline at (609) 265-VOTE (8683).
