OCEAN COUNTY VOTERS have several options when it comes to casting their ballots for the June 10 Primary Elections.

Early voting in Ocean County begins June 3 and continues through June 8 at 10 locations throughout the 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 9 by 3 p.m.

And of course, voters can vote the traditional way on Primary Election Day, June 10, by visiting their local polling place. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Acting Ocean County Clerk John Catalano encouraged all voters to review the sample ballots sent out from his office. This year, the Ocean County Clerk's Office will be sending out more than 400,000 sample ballots to registered voters.

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

Catalano 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 work diligently to make sure elections run smoothly in the county and that all votes are counted and are secure," said Ocean County Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione, liaison to the Ocean County Clerk's Office. "It's imperative that elections are convenient and secure for our residents."

Bacchione called voting "a fundamental right" and pledged to "take every step to ensure the integrity of every vote that is cast."

Hours for early voting are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Tuesday, June 3 to Saturday, June 7 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 8.

"Registered voters in Ocean County can cast a ballot at any of the early voting locations," Catalano 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 ballot for the town you live in."

The 10 early voting locations are:
o Berkeley Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 30 Station Road, Bayville.
o Brick Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick.
o Jackson Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson.
o Lacey Township Community Center (formerly the Knights of Columbus Building) 15 East Lacey Road, Forked River.
o Lakewood Municipal Building, Courtroom, 231 3rd St., Lakewood.
o The Upper Shores Branch of the Ocean County Library, 112 Jersey City Ave., Lavallette.
o Little Egg Harbor Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 290 Mathistown Road, Little Egg Harbor.
o Ocean County Southern Service Center, Nutrition Hall, 179 South Main Street, Manahawkin.
o Manchester Township Branch of the Ocean County Library, 21 Colonial Drive, Manchester.
o The main branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington Street, Toms River.

Those voters who prefer to vote in person on Primary Election Day will need to cast their votes at the poll location noted on their sample ballot. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Another convenient option is voting by mail. Catalano said voters can apply – by mail - for a vote by mail ballot by June 3, 2025. After that date voters must apply for a ballot in person at the Ocean County Clerk's Office, 118 Washington Street, Toms River. The final deadline to apply in person for a vote by mail ballot is June 9 at 3 p.m.

"We remind and urge all voters who have received a vote by mail ballot to return their ballot to the Board of Elections by the close of polls at 8 p.m. on Tuesday June 10," Catalano said. "Voters can return their vote by mail ballot through the United States mail (postage paid-free of charge); drop their ballot at a vote by mail drop box or deliver it to the Ocean County Board of Elections at 129 Hooper Ave. in Toms River."

A list of all drop box locations is included with each vote by mail ballot. Ballots may be deposited at any of the locations.

All vote by mail ballots must be returned or postmarked by 8 p.m., June 10, 2025.

As of May 20, the Ocean County Clerk's Office has issued 44,843 Vote by Mail Ballots to registered voters for the June 10 Primary.

"Of the total issued, 22,858 were issued to Democrats and 21,985 were issued to Republicans," Catalano said. "The number of Vote by Mail ballots returned so far to the Ocean County Board of Elections total 13,980.

Catalano noted that 2025 is a gubernatorial election along with candidates for state Assembly, county and local races on the ballot.

"As a result of a federal court decision and recent legislation this year, the Primary ballot is now a block style ballot with all candidates and the respective office listed in that block," he said.

"The sample ballot highlights the changes," Catalano said. "It is advantageous for all voters to review the sample ballot that they will receive in the mail. Voters should take time to review the new ballot style prior to casting their vote."