New Jersey to Permit Electronic Voting
Displaced voters can submit ballots by fax or e-mail.
The New Jersey Department of State issued a directive on Saturday ordering county elections officials to permit New Jersey registered voters displaced by Hurricane Sandy to vote electronically.
The directive also is intended to assist displaced first responders, whose emergency recovery efforts away from home would otherwise make voting a challenge, according to a Saturday afternoon press release.
“This has been an extraordinary storm that has created unthinkable destruction across our state and we know many people have questions about how and where to cast their vote in Tuesday’s election," said New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.
"To help alleviate pressure on polling places, we encourage voters to either use electronic voting or the extended hours at county offices to cast their vote,” Guadagno said in the release. “Despite the widespread damage Hurricane Sandy has caused, New Jersey is committed to working through the enormous obstacles before us to hold an open and transparent election befitting our state and the resiliency of its citizens.”
To vote electronically, displaced voters may submit a mail-in ballot application either by e-mail or fax to their county clerk. Once an application is approved, the clerk will electronically send a ballot to the voter by either fax or e-mail in accordance to the voter’s preference. Voters must return their electronic ballot either by fax or email no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Voters can download a mail-in ballot application for their county by visiting http://nj.gov/state/elections/voting-information-vote-by-mail.html. A list of county clerk websites, phone numbers and fax numbers are available by visiting http://nj.gov/state/elections/voting-information-local-officials.html.
Separate directives issued today enable displaced voters and first responders to vote by provisional ballot at a polling place in a county other than the voter’s county of registration. The deadline for county clerks to receive mail-in ballots has been extended to Nov. 19 for any ballot postmarked on or before November 5, 2012. Mail-in ballots post marked later than November 5 will not be accepted.
County elections officials have also been directed to print a sufficient number of provisional and emergency ballots to accommodate voters.
Voters are encouraged to take advantage of extended office hours at county elections offices to cast their vote early and in-person. Registered voters can obtain and cast their ballot in-person at their county elections office up until 3 p.m. on Tuesday. County election offices are to remain open, at a minimum, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. throughout the weekend, until November 5.
Voters who have a mail-in ballot and choose to deliver their ballot to the county elections office in person must present their completed ballot to their county elections office no later than the close of polls on Tuesday.
Information is also available by calling 1-877-NJVOTER.
B@B
8:16 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Have the voting machines been inspected? Can we count on them to accurately record our votes?
Frederick John LaVergne for Congress
6:47 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
B@B - the ballots themselves have errors - the Republican machine made sure our "bracket", which was duly qualified for and assented to by the courts, was broken up and scattered - independents in the Democratic-Republican Party were to have had their own column. After Len and I crushed our opponents in the first debates, we were shut out of the subsequent ones. The R's, by the way, did NOT qualify for a ballot line in NJ - see Docket # 12 -32977 in Federal Third District. They know, didn't even fight us, and are rushing to get out paper ballots and early voting before Monday's order compels them to change the machines...they are also lobbying very hard to further delay the decision so it does not affect this election. The documents from court, including the 3 page brief from the State asserting that "privilege", which the FEDS already said was unconstitutional, is still going to be applied regardless of what the court says is right...Justice delayed is justice denied. They're hiding BEHIND the storm...
Elle Burke
8:33 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
If you don't have power, how exactly are you supposed to (1) download a ballot, (2) print it and then (3) fax or e-mail it to the county clerk? Ridiculous. How about restoring power instead?
Truexguy
8:53 am on Monday, November 5, 2012
Unless your one of the stupid ones, you evacuated to a place that has power. But then if you didn't evacuate you wouldn't know your'e stupid. Maybe I'm stupid. Sense you just posted a commentyou must have electric and internet. So wasn't that stupid to just post that
Elle Burke
11:45 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Maybe when you learn to spell you can justify calling other people stupid. I didn't say I didn't have power - although my home still doesn't; I'm staying with relatives. I made the point that if someone doesn't have power, they can't vote the way our government is suggested. It would help if you actually read the comment properly before you spouted off.
Rebecca Peterson Burns
8:17 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Elle, thank you for the comment on behalf of those that are not fortunate to have power.
Cosmicinnj
9:36 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
With a county clerk like Elieen Flynn, it doesn't matter who you vote for she'll make sure the Dem's that assured her daughters nomination and confirmation as a Superior Court Judge in Middlesex County gets the vote.
Chief Wahoo
9:09 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
There is no difference if Obama or Romney wins. Worry about getting power back on. You stupid fools !!
Kate Bigam
1:12 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
You're right! One week is way more important than four years! (Please note my sarcasm.)
ASimon
11:07 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2012
Exactly right Elie Burke. This rates right up there with JCPL giving info out only via its useless website. And you can also vote early if you are willing to use up your precious gasoline driving to Freehold. The disregard and disdain for the public is apparent at every level.
Katy
1:19 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Have been watching response to this horrible disaster. So many wonderful people doing what they can to lift humanity up in this mess...the elderly lady in NYC highrise apt who is carrying buckets of water up 12 flights from hydrant on street to her older neighbors who are scared and barricaded in their apts so that they can flush toilets and wash up. the people who are fixing meals for the same people and leaving outside their doors. Or the utility caravans from my state (and others) parked @ Quaker Bridge Mall who came to help. Or to our daughter who has gone to them with coffee and doughnuts to say "thank you" then returned home to collect her childrens outgrown clothes and baby equipment to relieve an immediate need. I think that there are so many "angels" out there trying to help . Their solutions may not be perfect but come with good intentions just like your civic leaders. I hope that you find a way to vote and if you have a better way for JCPL info sharing,you will share it with them.Also if you are very stressed,sometimes helping even in a small way can help one feel more in control....not to mention GOOD. Good luck and prayers to all.
ASimon
12:35 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
There seem to be a cadre of trolls here who choose to comment on other people's comments rather than on the article itself. Elie Burke makes the valid point that it is idiotic to refer a population without power to this type of assistance. Truexguy should hook up with some of the other smarmy sanctimonious commenters on this site and stop harassing those who are actually commenting on the articles.
thomas coyne
7:31 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
perhaps if all of whiners would stop and think of how you could better whatever situation you are in, instead of whining how the Govt has not done anything for ME, we would all be better off. Americans are supposed to be a nation of doers not cryers. Why not suck it up and thank all the out of state people here to help us, what about their families and how do they vote? Grow up, get a pair, and THINK how you can help yourself.
Rebecca Peterson Burns
8:16 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Still would like to know how to vote if you don't have access to the internet in matawan? Before the needless comments from the peanut galleries commence, I am from chicago checking for my parents in Matawan. There is still a good cuk of Matawan residents sans power in their houses. For them information is critical
Jen
9:07 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
People being rude to each other in times like this is disgusting , and I haven't had power since Monday and I was allowed to return to my home on Tuesday , so before you make misspelled assumptions about people being "stupid" check your facts. Oh also the Internet access I have is from my phone .
Laurie Jackson
9:21 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
There are places that have access to free wifi internet where people can go assuming they can get there and have a portable device; laptop or tablet.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57543181-94/comcast-offers-free-wi-fi-service-to-all-in-sandys-path/
Here are a list of the free hotspots: http://hotspots.wifi.comcast.com/?map_submit.x=0&a=07016&map_submit.y=0
I believe if you can get to a Starbucks that has power you can probably find wifi service there.
There are faxing services available at places like UPS stores as well as other locations like Staples which also offers those kinds of services. I'm sure there are some that do have power restored. So there are ways to do it if you just think it out and look for the solutions. Of course if you are reading this you don't need that info or probably already know.
In addition the county clerks offices in the State have been ordered to hold extended hours and extended the mail-in ballot deadline through this weekend and election day. If you can get there you can cast your mail-in ballot in person. The clerk's office in Westfield is open from 8:30 to 4:30 today for voting by mail I think the office in Elizabeth has the same schedule but I didn't check.
I am thankful that I still have a home left for power to be restored to. Some families no longer have homes to restore power to...they lost everything and my heart aches for them.
Cosmicinnj
9:44 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Well Mayor Macbutthead of Woodbridge had a YouTube posting about garbage pick up that I was informed existed by this publication. Woodbridge townships home page didn't include it in the notice of an additional day of overtime given to the DPW for an additional recycling day for a Saturday pickup due to three consecutive holidays.
pal1410
10:56 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Accessing the site with internet is one thing. Having access to a printer and/or fax machine is another. Most of us are working off limited resources. What is required here is a fillable PDF that can be completed and emailed back. No printing or faxing/scanning required. Yes, we have more immediate concerns like power, food, etc., but voting IS IMPORTANT and everyone, regardless of their current circumstances, should be able to cast their ballot if they want to.
Kate Bigam
1:14 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Library. Go to the library.
Laurie Jackson
11:07 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
If you read this article there is a list of locations and hours for in person mail in ballot voting at county clerk's offices throughout the state:
http://cranford.patch.com/articles/early-voting-available-in-freehold
Voting is important and if you can get there you can do it in person. Perhaps get together with neighbors and figure out a way to carpool if you do not have access to a car. If there is a will there is a way.
John E
11:13 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
I notice this article doesn't have what other article say.
"the program is being run on an honor system, relying on voters to only use the system if they truly can't get to his or her polling place."
pal1410
11:23 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
my daughter is currently stuck in north Jersey with no transportation home. Has to stay up there in order to get to work since public transportation from our area is not available. She does not have a way to get to Freehold by Tuesday. Hopefully, when she gets to her office they will be fully operational and will allow her to use their printer/scanner/fax to vote. Still believe that there should be a way to do this without the printer/scanner/fax......
Kate Bigam
1:14 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
The way to do it without printer/scanner/fax is to go to a polling place. The risk of voter fraud is too great to allow for anything more lax than this.
Moms Thoughts
11:36 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
You can go into the county clerks office and vote too! Go tomorrow and fill out an absentee or mail in ballot. You don't have to mail it in, just hand it right back to them. My daughter voted in her first election this way when she was home from college last month. It literally took five minutes. The county clerks office to vote at is on Halls Mills road in Freehold.
I completely agree with the frustration about power companies, fema, and various other support agencies all encouraging people to go online, report outages, and to sign up NOW, etc! If you don't have power, cell and internet - how the hell are you supposed to do this? Its really irritating. But not nearly as irritating as trolls who come on these sites looking for a fight by insulting people.
Laurie Jackson
9:34 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
I went with my husband and son today to the clerk's office in Westfield so they could cast their mail-in ballots since my son is an student out of state and is not going to be able to come home to vote on Tuesday as originally planned and my husband will likely be working a 16 hour storm recovery shift on Tuesday. It was a long wait outside in the cold and It took about 2 hours in total but it is worth it because voting is that important and worth whatever effort it takes to exercise that right.
Frederick John LaVergne for Congress
2:49 am on Monday, November 5, 2012
Dear Ms. Jackson.
Thank you. The importance of exercising your right to vote is unquestionable. Well done.
Fred.
John Ferguson
12:09 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
pal1410 hit it right on the head. A fillable pdf file is what is needed to fulfill the option put forth by the Lt. Gov. The way it's set up now is not electronic voting.