Election Day In Manasquan, Belmar: When, Where To Vote

MANASQUAN — Election Day is almost here, and Manasquan and Belmar voters have just one more day to make sure their ballot is counted in several competitive races.

Although the election was conducted primarily by mail and polling places have been reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are still several options to make sure your vote is counted.

In Manasquan and Belmar, that includes voting at a polling location, using a secure drop box, mailing your ballot back or hand delivering it to the Monmouth County Board of Elections at 300 Halls Mill Road in Freehold.

Here is what you need to know about the election:

The Rundown

• Election date: Nov. 3 (Tuesday)
• Check if you are registered to vote.
• Where can I drop off my ballot?
• Track my mail-in ballot.
• Where can I vote in person?
• Postmarked by deadline: Nov. 3
• Received by deadline: Nov. 10

In Manasquan, Republican Patricia Connolly will challenge two Democrats – Michael Mangan, the council president, and Councilman Jeffrey Lee – for two seats on the council. Four people have filed to run for three seats on the school board: Terence F. Hoverter, Bruce Bolderman, Eugene J. Cattani Jr. and Louis Barbera.

Read more: Manasquan Council Election Preview

In Belmar, Democratic Councilman Thomas Brennan is running against Republican Jodi Kinney and Independent Gerald Buccafusco for one seat on the council. Four people have filed to run for four seats on the school board: Kimberly Chek, Rebecca Herbert and Robert Preston and Mark Furey.

What And Who Else Are On The Ballot?

• Presidential race: Residents can either cast a write-in vote or choose, among the major parties, between Republican President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, or Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden and US Sen. Kamala Harris. Also running are: Don Blankenship/William Mohr (Constitution Party); Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (Green); Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (Libertarian); Gloria La Riva/Sunil Freeman (Party for Socialism and Liberation); Roque De La Fuente/Darcy Richardson (The Alliance Party) and Bill Hammons/Eric Bodenstab (Unity Party).
• US Congress: One US Senate seat will be contested: Incumbent Democrat Cory Booker will face Republican Rik Mehta. All 12 of the state's congressional seats will be decided, including the Fourth District, where Manasquan and Belmar fall. The Fourth District race pits Republican Congressman Chris Smith against Democrat Stephanie Schmid.
• Marijuana legalization/Ballot questions: Voters will decide whether to legalize the possession and use of marijuana. Voters will also decide whether to makes peacetime veterans eligible to receive the veterans' property tax deduction.
• Monmouth County: Incumbent Republican County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon is vying for reelection against Democrat Angela Ahbez-Anderson. Two seats are up for grabs on the Board of Chosen Freeholders, with Republicans Ross Licitra and Lillian G. Burry up against Democrats Michael Penna and Moira Nelson.

Where Can I Vote?
Monmouth County residents may vote from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at these polling sites. Accommodations are available for those with disabilities.

Those looking for a drop box can do so at these 17 sites throughout Monmouth County (you can find the full list here). Residents can track their ballots using this tracker.

The boxes are all outside and under surveillance 24/7. They resemble a USPS Blue Mailbox, but are Red, White & Blue and display "Monmouth County – Official Ballot Drop Box."

The Vote-By-Mail ballots (VBMs) will be picked up on a daily basis and brought to the Board of Elections. All security measures will be followed when collecting and transporting the VBMs, officials said.

Frequently Asked Questions

Since the change to this year's election was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy because of the coronavirus, there have been many questions about how the process will work.

Every the ballot sent through the mail had to be postmarked by Nov. 3. It must be received by your county's election boards by 8 p.m. on Nov. 10.

"Every vote should be safe. Every vote should be secure. Every vote should be counted," Murphy said of the process.

For more coverage of the 2020 election in New Jersey, go here.