Middlesex County Tells Voters: Don't Lick Mail-In Ballot Envelope

Don't lick the envelope when you return your mail-in ballot.

That's the advice Middlesex County gave out this week, when county government made this video telling residents to send back their mail-in ballot.

"Seal the envelope with an adhesive, like a glue stick or a damp sponge," said the county's video (watch below). "We want to keep you safe, so please don't lick the envelope."

There are no documented cases of anyone getting the coronavirus through the mail, or from licking an envelope. However, the CDC advised the following in April: "It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus."

The coronavirus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets and saliva.

Due to coronavirus, Gov. Murphy ordered the entire state of New Jersey vote by mail for the 2020 election. Many voters were angered by this decision. However, an Oct. 30 Rutgers-Eagleton poll found that the majority of New Jersey residents (seven out of ten) said mail-in voting has been easier, and they prefer it to voting in person at a polling place.

Three quarters of respondents have also already voted.

If you still have not turned in your ballot, the best way to do so is drop it at one of the ballot drop boxes located in every Middlesex County town. If you plan to vote at the polls Tuesday, you will be given a provisional (paper) ballot, and it will be counted last. Also, even the U.S. Postal Service is advising that ballot drop boxes are the safest bet. Here is the full list of ballot drop box locations; drop your vote there by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3:

• Jamesburg Municipal Complex 131 Perrineville Road, Jamesburg Drop box located within the parking lot, in the Safe Zone
• Piscataway Municipal Complex 455 Hoes Lane, Piscataway Drop box located on walkway between municipal building and police station
• Sayreville Borough Hall 167 Main Street, Sayreville Drop box located behind building, on the sidewalk(right side when facing the building)
• Milltown Municipal Complex 39 Washington Ave., Milltown Drop box located at beginning of side entrance accessible from the parking lot. Slated as Safe Exchange Zone
• Metuchen Municipal Complex 500 Main Street, Metuchen Drop box located in back of parking Lot - by handicap parking lanes.
• Plainsboro Municipal Complex 641 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro Drop box located in front of stairs to Municipal Building.
• Woodbridge Municipal Building 1 Main St., Woodbridge Drop Box is curbside. Adjacent to north side of main entrance stairs to town hall.
• Edison Municipal Complex 100 Municipal Blvd. Edison Drop Box located Municipal Complex entrance outside under awning.
• East Brunswick Municipal Complex 1 Civic Drive, East Brunswick Drop box located between parking lot and East Brunswick Municipal Complex by police entrance.
• Middlesex County Administration Building 75 Bayard Street, New Brunswick Drop box located in front of front entrance.
• Perth Amboy Public Safety Complex 361 New Brunswick Ave, Perth Amboy Drop box located between Municipal Court and Police Station; closer to police station entrance.
• Thomas Deverin Community Center 100 Cooke Avenue, Carteret Drop Box located inside the vestibule of the building.
• Cranbury Police Department 1 Logan Dr, Cranbury Drop Box located in front of police station.
• Dunellen Public Library 100 New Market Rd, Dunellen Drop Box located on sidewalk near entrance to library.
• Helmetta Borough Hall 51 Main St, Helmetta Drop Box located in front of borough hall.
• Highland Park Borough Hall 221 South Fifth Avenue, Highland Park Drop Box in front of borough hall.
• Middlesex Borough Hall 1200 Mountain Ave, Middlesex Borough Drop Box located in the rear of townhall.
• Monroe Township Library 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township Drop Box located to the right of the entrance to the library.
• North Brunswick Township Hall 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick Drop Box located in front of townhall.
• Old Bridge Township Municipal Complex 1 Old Bridge Plaza, Old Bridge Drop Box located on the sidewalk nearest the curb in front of municipal building.
• South Amboy Train Station 137 N. Broadway, South Amboy Drop Box located on the curb in front of the train station across from townhall.
• South Brunswick Municipal Building 540 Ridge Rd, Monmouth Junction Drop Box located in front of municipal building.
• South Plainfield Borough Hall 2480 Plainfield Ave, South Plainfield Drop Box located in read of municipal building.
• South River Administration Building 48 Washington St, South River Drop Box located in front of administration building.
• Spotswood Municipal Building 77 Summerhill Rd, Spotswood Drop Box located in front of town hall.

Ballot drop boxes are collected and returned directly to the Middlesex County Board of Elections office. These ballots are only handled by designated Board of Elections representatives.

If returning a ballot via the U.S. Postal Service, the ballot must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

Voters may also drop the ballot off directly at the Middlesex County Board of Elections located at 11 Kennedy Blvd, East Brunswick until Tuesday, November 3 at 8 p.m.