Vote by Mail Ballots

Busy on Election Day? Request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot!


Anyone can vote by mail, and for any reason at all! Request your Vote-by-Mail ballot today to lock your vote in early without any of the hassle of Election Day polls!

CLICK HERE to visit the County Clerk's Election Website for more information on Vote-by-Mail ballots, and to print your own application at home. You can also stop by the Monmouth County Democratic Committee Headquarters to pick up a copy.

Every vote matters, and we want your voice to be heard! Don't wait; request your Vote-by-Mail ballot today!

Applications must be received by the Clerk of Elections via mail 7 days prior to the election. Hand delivered applications will be accepted up until 3pm the day before the election.

TODAY IS BALLOT DRAWING FOR NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION

For Immediate Release
August 10, 2015



Republicans have won the first spot roughly 90% of the time. According to the Asbury Park Press in 2012, statisticians say the probability of that happening purely by chance in a random drawing - which is the process required by state law - is less than one in 1.5 million.

FREEHOLD - Today in her capacity as County Clerk, prominent Monmouth County Republican Christine Hanlon will hold a drawing to determine the ballot position for the Democratic and Republican Party candidates in the upcoming November General Elections. This election will be held on November 3rd. Hanlon was Vice Chair of the County Republican Party until her appointment by Government Chris Christie earlier this year. After questions and criticisms about the process were raised in recent years, the Monmouth County Democratic Organization will be keeping a close watch as the positions are drawn.

During the ballot drawing, two capsules are used, one with the Democratic Party name and another with the Republican Party. The names are drawn from a box to determine where the parties will be placed on the ballot. To date, the Monmouth County Republicans have won the coveted first ballot position 31 of the last 35 general elections, roughly 90% of the time.

"We will have attorneys and supporters ready today to inspect the capsules and ensure that the ballot drawing today is fair," said Vin Gopal, Chairman of the Monmouth County Democratic Party. "Questions have been raised about the statistical probability that the same party win first ballot position so many years in a row," Gopal continued. "In the interest of upholding our democratic process, we will be keeping a close watch on the drawing."

In October of 2012, the Asbury Park Press reported on the County's ballot drawing process, noting that "the party has won the draw for the first ballot position in 30 of the last 33 general elections - statistically nearly impossible odds. Statisticians say the probability of that happening purely by chance in a random drawing - which is the process required by state law - is less than one in 1.5 million." The cover page story entitled "Are Monmouth County Republicans Cheating" raised red flags for county residents.

To read the Asbury Park Press Article, please click the following link http://archive.app.com/article/20121007/NJNEWS/310070041/Monmouth%20County%20ballots

"Rumors about questionable tactics have surrounded the ballot process. For instance, apparently refrigerating one of the capsules allows the clerk to choose the colder one and give preference to his or her own party. While it is my sincere hope that our new County Clerk will handle this process with professionalism and integrity, our attorneys will be watching closely - just to be sure."

Gopal indicated that the party will be prepared to file a complaint with the county prosecutors office if any inappropriate activity is suspected. It is imperative that the sanctity of the Democratic process is preserved and protected.

The ballot drawing will take place at 3:00pm at 300 Halls Mill Road in Freehold.

Letter: Monmouth County Election Results Are A Concern

Dear Editor,

I am concerned about the integrity of the election results in the Monmouth County Freeholder's race.

On election night, Monmouth County Clerk Claire French (R) delayed results of the Freeholder's race due to alleged technical problems, that allegedly required the voting machine cartridges to be brought back to the County Clerk's office for reading.

It is highly suspicious to see these kinds of "technical errors" occur in a hotly contested race, especially where the Republican candidates were accused of collusion with former Manalapan Mayor and now convicted felon, Andrew Lucas in a corrupt land deal that resulted in Mr. Lucas being given county funds. The reported results were extremely close, but resulted in a victory for the Republican candidates.

I am calling on the FBI to do a full investigation and audit into these questionable results to ensure there was no falsification of results in favor of Republican candidates.

Freeholder Lillian Burry (R) has been accused of serious corruption involving both the Lucas farm land deal and Brookdale Community College (where the college president is now incarcerated). It would be far from surprising if she was willing to have her party tamper with votes, to maintain power.

We cannot forget the confirmed corruption of the Monmouth County Republican Party that came to light in the Bid Rig investigations.


Eric Hafner
Toms River

The Votes Are In, Referendum Passes

Tonight's Middletown Board of Education voter referendum passed by a resounding margin.

Yes - 2951      71.82% 

 No - 1158       28.18%

The election results can be view on the Monmouth County Clerk's  website... HERE

Due To Hurricane Sandy, Middletown Polling Places Have Been Moved For Tuesday's Election

It has been reported, by the Township, that the following polling places have been moved:

Pt. Monmouth Firehouse - Districts 6 & 36
Pt. Monmouth First Aid - District 16

These polling places have been moved to Pt. Monmouth School.

Other places have been reported as moved, but have not been confirmed. A list is to be posted on the County Clerk website by Saturday. The County Clerk issued the following:

For a list of alternate voting locations, voters should check the Monmouth County website at http://www.visitmonmouth.com and click on the County Clerk's Election Division page. A complete list of alternate sites will be posted by Saturday.

It would be advisable to check the County Clerk site or call the Township Clerk in Middletown on Monday to verify your polling location. The Clerk's number is 732-615-2014.

Video: LVGA Meet The Candidates Night

The Lincroft Village Green Association hosted a "Meet The Candidates" night this past Tuesday. The Candidates attending were for the offices of County Freeholder - John Curley, Bill Shea, Kevin Lavan and Serena DiMassa; County Clerk - Clair French and Michael Steinhorn; and Middletown Township Committee - Linda Baum and Steve Massell.

The event was moderated by the League of Woman Voters who selected questions that were submitted by the public.  It was an interesting night, a lot of very good ideas and information were exchanged between the candidates.

For those from Middletown -  I  being one - who came to hear what Linda Baum and Steve Massell had to say about moving our township forward walked away, I'm sure, more impressed with what Ms. Baum had to offer than Steve Massel, just watch the video to see what I mean.

Linda Baum was the more articulate candidate and showed a real command of the issues that she was passionate about, she spoke off the top of her head, without any notes. Massell on the other hand, was wooden and read directly from a "script".

If you want to quickly read a little bit more about what was said between Linda Baum and Steve Massell, Middletown Patch's Christina Johnson posted a nice little summary of what was said between the two.

But of course the best way to judge for yourself how each candidate did was to watch the video, in my opinion Linda Baum was much more impressive than Massell and deserving of residents vote.

What Are The Statistical Chances...

... of the Monmouth County Republicans winning the coveted 1st position on the the General Election Ballot 30 of the last 33 years? A whopping 1.5 million to 1 according the an article published yesterday in the Asbury Park Press.

Are the Monmouth County Republicans cheating when it come to selecting ballot positions? County Clerk Claire French, who has been the Clerk for the past 15 years, says it's not so stating, “My special deputy follows the letter of the law, It’s a public process, it’s open to the public, and people always come to watch. I’ve never heard a complaint from any of the people who have viewed it.”. But, added, “Certainly we have been more fortunate in the drawings.”

Democrat Michael Steinhorn, who is seeking to unseat French in this years election, finds these results to be rather odd stating that French is, “either a magician or the luckiest person on earth, the results speak for themselves, it appears not to be fair.

Even if the clerk is the luckiest person on the planet, the people have to have faith in the system, if it appears to be unfair, can we have confidence in how the vote is counted?”

I have to agree with Mr. Steinhorn it does seem a little fishy. When you have a better chance at hitting the lottery or being struck by lightening, something is wrong.

It may be too late to do something about it this year, but I would suspect that there will be a few Democratic observers during next years ballot position selection regardless of who is elected County Clerk this November.  

Election Results From Middletown - Democrats have to "Wait 'til next year"

As they use to say in Brooklyn all those years ago when speaking of the Dodgers and what seemed to be the annual event of losing to the Yankees in the World Series - "Wait ’til next year!". Democrats in Middletown are no different.

Jim Grenafege and Carol Fowler lost their race for Middletown Township Committee against Tony Fiore and Stephanie Murray, falling approximately 1600 votes shy, which was by no means a landslide.

Like the Brooklyn Dodgers of old, the Middletown Dems will live on to play the game another day, getting closer and closer to that elusive World Series victory that they and their many fans and supporter so covet. The losing only makes them that much more determined to play harder next year.

Republicans can bask in their victory this year but remember, Democrats are not going away anytime soon, be ready for an even tougher fight next year.

Below are the official results as posted on the Monmouth County Clerks webpage:

	Vote Count	Percent
REP - Anthony P. Fiore	6,699	27.91%
REP - Stephanie C. Murray	6,590	27.45%
DEM - James Grenafege	4,977	20.73%
DEM - Carol R. Fowler	5,108	21.28%
- Richard Morrill	615	2.56%
Write-In	16	0.07%
Total	24,005	100.00%

Unofficial Result Of Middletown BOE Election With 90% Of The Vote Counted

With about 90% of the votes counted, according to the Monmouth County Clerks website, here are the unofficial results from today's Middletown Board of Education election:

Full Term:

- Richard Morrill 1,478 11.92%
- Barry Allan Travis 1,416 11.42%
- Bob Banta 2,609 21.05%
- Robert Superti 1,365 11.01%
- John Macrae 3,181 25.66%
- Gerald Wexelberg 2,275 18.35%
Write-In 71 0.57%
Total 12,395 100.00%

1 year Unexpired Term:

- Allan Burns 1,496 34.02%
- Ernest Donnelly 1,344 30.56%
- Leonora Caminiti 1,539 34.99%
Write-In 19 0.43%
Total 4,398 100.00%


As of this moment the results of the school budget voting are to close to call, it seem that it will be down to the wire on this one, so far there is a 1 vote difference the approval of the budget and it's defeat:

- Yes 2,930 50.01%
- No 2,929 49.99%
Total 5,859 100.00%

________________________________________________

Update 11:17 pm

Unofficial results according to the Monmouth County Clerk after 100% of the vote counted, Middletown's School Budget passed by 125 votes. The candidate results have not changed:


- Yes 3,332 50.96%
- No 3,207 49.04%
Total 6,539 100.00%