Worried About Your Primary Mail-In Ballot Madison? Track It

MADISON, NJ - The primary election looks different this year as the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed back the date, shuttered polls and made the contest scheduled for July 7 "primarily" vote-by-mail. And that has some people nervous about their vote getting counted.

But for those voters who have concerns, they can track their vote from drop box or mail-box, straight to their County Clerk's Office. Those interested can do so by creating a personalized voter account online.

"Our goals are twofold," Gov. Phil Murphy said when he changed the primary back in May. "To maximize our democracy while minimizing the risk of illness. We want everyone to participate in a safe, fully democratic process."

Murphy also said that there will be polling places open in every municipality to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote and at least 50 percent of the normal locations per county. Read More: Vote-By-Mail In 2020: 5 Things To Know

Murphy added that voters who have not been able to seamlessly transition to a mail-in process, like those with a disability, will be kept safe when they cast their vote.

"Social distancing protocols will be enforced within these polling locations," he said.

The Process

All registered Democratic and Republican voters will automatically receive a postage paid vote-by-mail ballot while all unaffiliated and inactive voters will automatically receive a postage paid vote-by-mail application. Those ballots can be sent back by mail or dropped in one of the boxes.

Where To Vote: In-Person

• Madison residents will vote at the Hartley Dodge Memorial building at 50 Kings Road.

Vote-By-Mail Drop Boxes

Vote-by-Mail Drop Boxes will be installed in five locations across Morris County
for voters to drop their voted VBM in as opposed to mailing it:

• The boxes will be installed on or about June 15.
• They are all outside and under surveillance 24/7.
• They resemble a USPS Blue Mailbox, but are Red, White & Blue and display “Morris County – Official Ballot Drop Box”
• The VBMs will be picked up on a daily basis and brought to the BOE. All
• Security measures will be followed when collecting and transporting the VBMs.
• VBM Drop Boxes will be closed at 8 p.m., close of polls on Tuesday, July 7.

Vote-By-Mail Drop Box Locations

1. Morris County Administration & Records Building
10 Court Street, Morristown NJ 07960
(Outside front entrance)

2. Mount Olive Municipal Building
204 Flanders/Drakestown Road, Budd Lake NJ 07828
(Parking Lot entrance to Municipal Offices)

3. Rockaway Twp. Municipal Building
65 Mount Hope Road, Rockaway, NJ 07866
(Outside Police Department)

4. Montville Municipal Building
195 Changebridge Road, Montville, NJ 07045
(In front of Municipal Building)

5. Madison Municipal Building
Hartley Dodge Memorial Building
50 Kings Road, Madison, NJ 07940
(Behind Police Headquarters)

The drop boxes will be monitored, security camera surveillance, and will have daily pickups by the County Board of Elections.

Another key change will be the voting deadline. While all the ballots must still be postmarked by the July 7 election day, Murphy said that the deadline which votes must be received by a county board of elections – to be counted as valid – will be extended from 48 hours after the polls close to seven days after the polls close.

"We expect a greater than normal vote-by-mail turnout the deadline," he said. "And we will ensure that every vote is counted."

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