Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello reminds residents that Oct. 27 is the last day to apply through the mail for a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the upcoming general election. Further, she is extending hours for Vote-by Mail processing and adding a second location to make it easier for residents to vote by mail.
A registered voter may apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot by completing an application and returning it to the Mercer County Clerk’s Office up to seven days prior to the election. A voter may also apply in person at the Mercer County Clerk’s Office until 3 p.m. Nov. 2, the day before the election.
To make it easier and more convenient for registered voters to cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 election, the clerk has added a temporary location at the Joyce McDade Administration Building at (640 S. Broad) in Trenton where registered voters can easily apply and drop off their Vote- by Mail ballots.
Extended hours for Vote By Mail: Old Court House, 209 S. Broad St. and the Joyce McDade Administration Building, 640 S. Broad St., Trenton: Until Oct. 30 (Monday-Friday), 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Oct. 24 and 31 (Saturdays), 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Mercer County Board of Elections office also will remain open an additional half hour to accept completed ballots.
The new Vote-by-Mail system replaces the old absentee voting process. In prior years, the absentee ballot process was reserved mainly for voters who were unable to get to the polls on Election Day, such as those who were sick, away on business or serving overseas in the military. Under the new Vote-by Mail process, any registered voter can vote by mail by simply requesting a ballot – no reason is required.
As an alternative to visiting the county’s two Vote-by-Mail locations, registered voters can call 989-6494 to request an application form. Vote-by-Mail applications are also available online at www.mercercounty.org/countyclerk in English, Spanish, Chinese, Indian (Guajarati), and Korean. Vote-by-Mail applications can also be obtained at the Mercer County Connection located in the Hamilton Square Shopping Center at Route 33 and Paxson Avenue in Hamilton.
Election Day is Nov. 3. Polls are open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. for voters preferring to cast their ballot on conventional voting machines.
