OCEAN COUNTY VOTERS have several options when it comes to casting their ballot for the June 4 Primary Election.

Early voting in Ocean County begins May 29 and continues through June 2 at 10 locations throughout Ocean County.

In addition, voters can also vote by mail. The deadline to apply for and obtain a vote by mail ballot in person is June 3.

And voters can also vote the traditional way on June 4, Primary Election Day, by visiting their polling place.

Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella encourages all voters in the County to review the sample ballot sent out from his office to the more than 400,000 voters living in Ocean County.

"Voters should carefully review their sample ballots. There is a wealth of helpful information included," Colabella said. "In addition, poll workers will be available at polling places to assist voters casting their ballot."

Colabella noted that the information on the sample ballots including poll locations, vote by mail drop box locations and early voting locations is also available on the Ocean County Clerk's website at https://www.clerk.co.ocean.nj.us/.

"The Ocean County Clerk and his staff along with the Ocean County Board of Elections works diligently to make sure elections run smoothly in the County and all votes are counted and are secure," said Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn, liaison to the Ocean County Clerk's Office. "It's imperative that elections in Ocean County and anywhere for that matter are convenient and secure for our residents.

"Voting is a fundamental right and we must take every step to insure the integrity of every vote that is cast," he said.

Hours for early voting are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., on May 29, 30, 31 and June 1, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 2.

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 Chambersbridge 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; the Upper Shores Branch of the Ocean County Library, 112 Jersey City Ave., Lavallette; Little Egg Harbor Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 290 Mathistown Road, Little Egg Harbor Township; Ocean County Southern Service Center, nutrition site, 179 South Main Street, Manahawkin; Manchester Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 21 Colonial Drive, Manchester; and the main branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River.

"Registered voters in Ocean County can cast a ballot at any of the early voting locations," Colabella said. "For instance, if you live in Stafford Township 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 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. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Colabella said that voters can still apply for a vote by mail ballot but must do so in person at the Ocean County Clerk's Office at 118 Washington St., Toms River. The deadline to apply for a vote by mail ballot is 3 p.m., June 3.

As of May 28, the Ocean County Clerk's Office has issued 43,556 Vote by Mail Ballots to registered voters for the June 4 Primary.

"Of the total issued, 22,469 were issued to Democrats and 21,087 were issued to Republicans," Colabella said. "The number of Vote by Mail ballots returned so far to the Ocean County Board of Elections total 15,815.

"We remind and urge all voters who have received a vote by mail ballot to return their voted ballot to the Board of Elections by the close of polls at 8 p.m. on Tuesday June 4," Colabella added. "Voters can return their vote by mail ballot thru the United States mail (postage paid-free of charge); drop their ballot at a vote by mail drop box or deliver it to the Board of Elections at 129 Hooper Ave. in Toms River."

All vote by mail ballots must be returned or postmarked by 8 p.m., June 4, 2024 to be counted.

Colabella noted that 2024 is a Presidential Election along with candidates for U.S. Senate and Congressional seats and County and local races on the ballot.

Colabella said that as a result of a federal court decision earlier this year, the Democratic Party ballot is now a block style ballot design listing all candidates and the respective office they are running for in one column.

"The sample ballot highlights the changes," Colabella said. "While it is advantageous for all voters to review the sample ballot they received in the mail, Democratic voters should take time to review the new ballot style prior to casting their vote."

Republican Primary Ballot design is the same as previous elections.