Lost in the news about Hurricane Sandy is the fact that New Jersey and the nation go to the polls on Tuesday, November 6. Here's a preview of the election and how you make sure you get to cast a ballot and have your vote count.

Officials announced Saturday that registered voters affected by Sandy can vote electronically. However, there is no website for voters to cast a ballot; there are steps to be followed in order to vote.

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno says the effort will help alleviate pressure on polling places Tuesday. New Jersey is using military trucks in place of damaged polling places.

Residents can text WHERE to 877877 or log onto elections.nj.gov to find out where they can vote on Tuesday.

Officials say electronic voting is also an option for emergency workers. The option is already open to New Jersey voters overseas and in the military.

ON THE BALLOT

The biggest race on the ballot is the race for the President between incumbent Barack Obama (D) and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

There is also a statewide race for one of New Jersey's seats in the United States Senate between current state Senator Joe Kyrillos (R) and incumbent Bob Menendez who has held the office since 2006.

All of New Jersey's Congressional seats are up for grabs as well. Redistricting following the 2010 Census cost New Jersey a Congressional district which combined the 5th and 9th districts, setting up a battle between Scott Garrett &  Steve Rothman. Garrett decided not to run and Rothman lost to Bill Pascrell in the new 8th district.

There will also be two public questions on the ballot. One question is about a constitutional amendment that would allow the Legislature to require judges to pay more for their benefits. The second asks voters to decide on a proposed $750 million bond issue for new academic buildings and technological upgrades at the state's colleges and universities.

Also, a number of school districts will hold their elections.


WHERE DO I VOTE?

The New Jersey Department of State has a site where you can search for your polling location by enetering your address. You will be asked to show identification before you vote. All New Jersey polls are open 6AM-8PM and will stay open until the last voter in line at 8PM has cast a ballot.

New Jersey registered voters displaced by Hurricane Sandy have several options this election day to get their votes in.

Voters displaced by the storm who have yet to return home may vote provisionally at any polling site in the county and should notify poll workers upon entering the polls that they are "displaced hurricane voters seeking to vote by provisional ballot," the Atlantic County Board of Elections says.

Please note several polling location changes due to Hurricane Sandy:

  • Atlantic City: 1-3 Price Memorial Church, 525 Atlantic Ave. CHANGED TO Uptown Complex, 325 Madison Ave.
  • Margate: D-4 Margate Municipal Bldg, 1 S Washington Ave. CHANGED TO Union Ave. School, 9001 Winchester Ave.
  • Ventnor: D-4 Heights Civic Ctr., 311 N Surrey Ave and D-5 VFW Post #3361, 601 N Dorset Ave. CHANGED TO Ventnor Comm Bldg, 6500 Atlantic Ave.

In 51 of the 53 Monmouth County municipalities, residents will be voting in their communities.

Provisions have been made for residents in two of the most severely storm-ravaged boroughs to vote in neighboring communities.

  • Loch Arbour: residents will be voting at the Allenhurst Fire House on 311 Hume Street in Allenhurst.
  • Sea Bright: residents will vote at the Fair Haven Fire House on 645 River Road in Fair Haven.
  • All other residents will vote in their own community.

First responders and displaced voters will be able to vote by electronic means, either by email or fax up to 5:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Voters are directed to call the County Clerk’s Office at 609-465-1013 for further instructions.

Voters displaced due to Hurricane Sandy may also vote by Provisional Ballot at any polling place in New Jersey.

Voters can vote by provisional ballot or mail-in ballot.

The county is also bringing in a customized mobile bus that features 15 voting stations and a two-person registration desk.The bus will travel from emergency shelter to emergency shelter, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Voters can vote in person, by postal mail, email or fax. Call your local Municipal Clerk to find out if your polling location has been moved due to the storm. Displaced voters may cast a provisional ballot at the nearest polling location.

Voters may also vote via e-mail or fax by 5 p.m. on Nov. 6. You must first complete and sign a Vote-by-Mail application. Scan and e-mail the application to dee.anderson@co.middlesex.nj.us or fax it to 732-745-3642 with a return fax number.

You will receive ballot documentation. E-mail completed documentation to the Middlesex County Board of Elections at votedabsentees@co.middlesex.nj.us or fax it to 732-214-1656 by 8 p.m. on Nov. 6.

Union County voters may also vote via email or fax. Send completed Vote-by-Mail applications by email to lbobish@ucnj.org or by fax to 908-558-3592. Ballots must then be returned to the Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Nov. 6 by email to UCBOE@ucnj.org or by fax to 908-527-4127.

All NJ Voters

The deadline for displaced first responders and voters to receive General Election Mail-In-Ballots by electronic means (e mail or fax) is Tuesday, Nov. 6 by 5 p.m., according to the NJ Department of State.

Voters can locate their polling place by a web search. They can also find out polling locations by texting WHERE to 877877. After getting a response, text your home address.

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