If you have received a Vote By Mail ballot, and you have not yet returned it a few things have changed this year.

After you select your choices, and are ready to return your ballot:

• Sign the Certificate Affidavit attached to the small envelope, Print your name, address and municipality, and sign, using your normal signature. If you do not sign the affidavit, your vote will not be counted. Leave the affidavit attached to the envelope. If it becomes detached, don’t worry, just tape it back on.
• Put your ballot inside the small envelope and seal it. It’s ok to use tape if the envelope is difficult to seal.
• Put the small envelope containing your ballot inside the larger envelope that is addressed to the Board of Election and seal it. It’s ok to use tape if the envelope is difficult to seal

If you return your ballot by mail:

Your voted ballot should be mailed before election day to ensure it gets to the Board of Elections on time.  The ballot must be postmarked on or before election day. 

If you return your ballot in person:

Your ballot must be returned to the Ocean County Board of Elections Office 129 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753 (lower level) no later than the close of the polls on election day (by 8 p.m. on election night)

If someone else returns your voted ballot:

Call the Board of Elections to go over the procedure. 732-929-2167.

Some people have expressed concern that the envelopes for the Vote By Mail ballots were stuck, and became ripped when the voter tried to open them. This is not a problem. No ballot will be rejected just because it ls taped shut or the envelope is damaged. You can get a new envelope from the clerk, or you can use the envelope you were sent and tape it shut.

The most common reason for a ballot to be rejected is the voter not signing the affidavit attached to the inner envelope.