The Burlington County Clerk’s Office began mailing General Election vote-by-mail (VBM) ballots to registered voters who requested them this week and elections officials are advising these voters to watch for their ballot to arrive soon.

More than 52,000 VBM ballots will be sent to voters ahead of the November 3 General Election. Most voters who requested a VBM ballot can expect it to arrive within two to three weeks. However, Mount Holly voters may receive their ballots later due to ongoing litigation involving a municipal candidate.

Voters can also request and pickup a VBM ballot in-person at the Burlington County Clerk’s Office (50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly) and at the Burlington County Elections Building (301 Harper Drive, Moorestown)

If a ballot is lost, damaged, or contains an error, voters should contact the Burlington County Clerk's Election Section at 609-265-5229 or email votebymail@co.burlington.nj.us.

Voters who do not receive their vote-by-mail ballot by October 5 should contact the County Clerk’s Office to request a duplicate.

“Voting by mail is a simple and secure method for voters to exercise their most fundamental right, and it continues to be a legal option for all registered voters,” said Burlington County Clerk Joanne Schwartz. “Voters may have heard about litigation involving vote by mail and the U.S. Postal Service, but at this time there are no impacts to New Jersey procedures; Burlington County voters can cast their VBM ballots as they always have, by mail, drop box, or by bringing their ballot directly to the Burlington County Board of Elections Office. If that changes, my office will immediately notify voters directly.”

Multiple ways to cast vote-by-mail ballots

Completed vote-by-mail ballots can be returned in person or by mail to the Burlington County Board of Elections office (301 Harper Drive, Moorestown) during regular hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays) before Election Day. On Election Day, November 3, ballots will be accepted at this location until the polls close at 8 p.m.

VBM ballots can also be submitted at any of the 29 secure ballot drop boxes across Burlington County by 8 p.m. on Election Day. A full list of drop box locations is available at https://www.burlingtoncountynj.gov/2102/Secure-Ballot-Drop-Boxes.

VBM ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day and be received within six days after the election. Election officials encourage all vote-by-mail voters to use secure drop boxes throughout the election period. Those returning ballots within two weeks of the election are strongly encouraged to use a drop box or deliver them in person rather than mail.

Vote-by-mail ballots may not be dropped off at an early voting location or Election Day polling place, but registered voters who received a VBM ballot may vote in-person with a provisional ballot at the polls.

Voters currently signed up to receive a vote-by-mail ballot who wish to opt out should contact the Clerk’s Office immediately at 609-265-5229.

Requesting a vote-by-mail ballot

Registered voters interested in voting with a VBM ballot can still request one in person, by mail, or online.

A VBM request form is available online at Vote-by-Mail Ballot Application (PDF). Mail completed forms to: Honorable Joanne Schwartz, Burlington County Clerk, P.O. Box 6000, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. Vote-by-mail applications may also be hand-delivered to the Clerk’s Office (50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly) or at the Burlington County Elections Building (301 Harper Drive, Moorestown).

Voters can also request a mail-in ballot online at vote.nj.gov or at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/mib-request .

All VBM applications must be in the possession of the County Clerk’s Office by October 27 for the County Clerk’s Office to mail the ballot to you. After that day, registered voters must go in person to either the Clerk’s Office at 50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, or the Elections Building at 301 Harper Drive, Moorestown, to pick up a ballot in person.

The final date to request and receive a VBM ballot in person is November 2 by 3 p.m. No vote-by-mail ballots will be issued to new applicants after that date and time.

Voters with questions about the election, vote by mail, or other voting methods can call the Burlington County Elections hotline at 609-265-VOTE (8683).

Specific questions related to vote-by-mail ballots can also be emailed to the Clerk’s Office at votebymail@co.burlington.nj.us.