Mail-in Ballots Sent to 43,974 for Primary Election

COURT HOUSE – The primary election July 7 may look different than most are accustomed. That’s because many will be casting their vote with mail-in ballots, instead of at the voting machines, due to COVID-19.    
There were 43,974 vote-by-mail ballots sent to active Republican and Democrat voters by June 15, while 27,891 applications for vote-by-mail ballots (https://bit.ly/31kJGRC) were sent to unaffiliated and inactive voters the week of June 15, according to Cape May County Clerk Rita Fulginiti. Completed vote-by-mail applications must be given to the County Clerk by June 30 for processing by mail.
“New Jersey is a closed primary state,” stated Fulginiti, in an email. “A voter must declare a party to vote in the primary election.” 
She noted there were 29,347 Republicans and 17,126 Democrats, as well as 25,726 Other, for a total of 72,199 registered to vote. Deadline to register was June 16.
Voters have three ways to return their vote-by-mail ballots:
* Mail it in the postage paid envelope, using the U.S. Postal Service, at the nearest mailbox or local post office before 8 p.m. July 7.
*Drop it into one of the five secure ballot drop boxes:
– Lower Township Public Safety Building (court entrance) in the Cape May County Airport Complex
– Cape May County Clerk’s Office, 7 N. Main St. (Route 9 Southside)
– Cape May County Public Works Building, 536 Woodbine-Ocean View Rd.
– Sea Isle City Branch Cape May County Library, 4800 Central Ave.
– Stone Harbor Branch Cape May County Library, 9516 2nd Ave.
*Deliver it to the Cape May County Board of Elections at 10 Mechanic St., Court House, weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Voters are reminded to have identification.
There will be at least one polling place open in each municipality for voters to drop off a ballot or vote with a provisional ballot. The list of polling places can be found at https://bit.ly/3fF54F9.
There will be no voting machines at the polling places. Only provisional paper ballots will be available.
“Because of volume – please no in-person ballots before June 30 unless there are emergent circumstances,” stated Fulginiti. “Beginning July 1, voters may appear in person, or by authorized messenger, with identification, at the County Clerk’s Office, with their completed application.”    
“There will be no appointments for ‘emergency time’ voting. Voters will be served on a first come, first served basis. Voters must wear masks and be prepared to wait for their application to be processed and for their ballot delivered to them on the spot. Voters should be prepared to wait in their cars or outside for their ballots,” she continued.
Hours for in-person ballot delivery are as follows:
*July 1 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
*July 2 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
*July 3 – Closed for Independence Day
*July 6 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
* July 7 – 8:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
She added that voters who have moved should contact the Board of Elections at (609) 465-1050.  
In addition to the candidates listed below, Democratic and Republican County Committee candidates, with four-year terms, are on the ballot in each of the county’s 127 election districts. 
President,vote for one, four-year term
For Republicans, Choice for President is Donald J. Trump, “Cape May County Regular Republican Organization.”
Joseph R. Biden, “Cape May County Regular Democratic Organization,” and Bernie Sanders, “Bernie 2020. Not Me. Us” are listed on the Democratic ballot for president. Sanders reportedly ended his presidential campaign and endorsed Biden April 8, but said he would stay on the ballot to collect delegates to wield influence at the Democratic National Convention.
U.S. Senate,vote for one, six-year term
Democrats select either Cory A. Booker, “Cape May County Regular Democratic Organization,” or Lawrence Hamm, “Not Me. Us.”
Republicans choose between Rikin (Rik) Mehta, “MAGA Republicans,” Natlie Lynn Rivera, “We the People,” Hirsh Singh, “Cape May County Regular Republican Organization,” Eugene T. Anagnos, “Prevent CA East,” or Patricia Flanagan, “America First Republicans.”
U.S. House of Representatives, vote for one, two-year term
Republicans select either Robert Patterson, “America First Republicans,” or Jeff Van Drew, “Cape May County Regular Republican Organization.”
Democrats are choosing between Brigid Callahan-Harrison, “Cape May County Regular Democratic Organization,” Amy Kennedy, “Cape May County Democratic Committee 2020,” John Francis, “Walking for You,” Robert D. Turkavage, “Cape May County Moderate Democrat,” or Will Cunningham, “True Democrats.”
County Races
Candidates in county races are endorsed by their respective county party organizations.
Sheriff, vote for one, three-year term
Running unopposed from within the party is incumbent Republican Robert A. Nolan.
Democrats filed no petition.
Clerk, vote for one, five-year term
Running unopposed from within the party is incumbent Republican Rita Marie Fulginiti.
Democrats filed no petition.
Freeholder, vote for two, three-year term
Running unopposed from within the party are Democrats Elizabeth F. Casey and Brendan Sciarra.
Also unopposed from within the party are incumbent Republicans Will Morey and Jeffrey L. Pierson.
Municipal Races
Candidates in municipal races are endorsed by their respective county party organizations.
Dennis Township Committee, vote for two, three-year term
Republicans Scott J. Turner, Thomas J. VanArtsdalen. Democrats Jeffrey Trout, Renee Pettit.
Lower Township
Mayor, vote for one, four-year term
Democrat Christopher South. Republican Francis H. Sippel.
Deputy mayor, vote for one, four-year term
Democrat Chris Marlowe.
Council-at-large, vote for one, four-year term
Republican David Perry.
2nd Ward Council, vote for one, two-year unexpired term
Republican Kevin S. Coombs. Democrats filed no petition.
Middle Township Committee, vote for one, three-year term
Republican Timothy Donohue. Democrat Bob Jackson.
North Wildwood City Council 
Democrats filed no petitions for offices. 
1st Ward Council, vote for one, three-year term
Republican David J. Del Conte.
2nd Ward Council, vote for one, three-year term
Republican Kellyann Tolomeo.
Stone Harbor
Mayor, vote for one, four-year term
Republican Judith M. Davies-Dunhour.
Council member, vote for two, three-year term
Republicans Reese E. Moore, Joselyn O. Rich, Robin Lynn Casper.
Democrats filed no petitions for offices. 
Upper Township Committee, vote for one, three-year term
Republican Curtis T. Corson, Jr. Democrat John Amenhauser.
Woodbine Council, vote for two, three-year term
Democrats filed no petition.
Republicans David Bennett, Hector Cruz.
Karen Knight contributed to this report.