This month I want to take some time and go through and spell out informational items as the fall General Election is already underway. The fall election process began in the clerk’s office with the close of the Primary Election which for the clerk’s office was the certification of the Primary.
Our office has been working with the other entities in preparing for the fall. There are many items that are solely the responsibility of the clerk. The collection of filed petitions for board of education candidates ended on July 25.
With this deadline now passed, the next major item that needs to happen is the “Drawing of Ballot Positions for the General Election.” This will happen on August 15 at 3 p.m. as set forth by N.J.S.A. 19:14-12.
This drawing will determine which of two major political parties will be column A and B. It will further determine which column(s) the independent candidates will be placed in on the ballot. Also during that drawing the ballot position for board of education candidates will be determined.
This drawing is conducted in a lottery type setting. Please know that this drawing is public, and will be held at the Atlantic County Clerk’s Office located at 5901 Main Street, Mays Landing N.J. This is part of the process and I would like for the public to attend to see the transparency of the election process.
Once the drawing is completed the ballots, sample ballots, Vote by Mail (VBM) ballots and Machine Ballots will be designed. Once all is in order the printing of all of the above commences.
By September 13, (55 days) prior to Election Day the Publication of Notice of Mail-Ballot Availability for General Election by County Clerk is in layman’s terms the mailing of VBMs.
The next date to be aware of is October 18 which is the last day to register to vote for the November election. October 26 will be the mailing of Sample Ballots for the General Election (N.J.S.A. 19:14-25). Next will be the Early Voting Period which will commence on October 29 through November 6, a 10-day period (N.J.S.A. 19-15A-1). The deadline to apply for a VBM is November 1.
Lastly, Election Day will be on Tuesday, November 8 as the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
After the completion of the election and all the various ways we now vote are calculated the county clerk then has to certify the election. This is known as the Deadline for County Clerk to transmit Official General Election Results to the Secretary of State (N.J.S.A. 19:20-6)
The most important thing to know and understand is there are many ways to to cast your vote. Let your voice be heard.
As always if you have any questions please feel free to contact me at (609) 625-4011.
Joseph J. Giralo
Atlantic County Clerk
Mays Landing