MOUNT HOLLY – Burlington County has started mailing Primary Election vote-by-mail (VBM) ballots to registered voters who requested one, so those voters should be on the lookout for their ballot to arrive soon. Close to 39,000 vote-by-mail ballots have been sent to Burlington County voters registered with either the Republican or Democratic parties. “Voting by mail is a simple and easy way for voters to cast their ballot when its most convenient for their schedule,” said Burlington County Clerk Joanne Schwartz. “Voters who requested a vote-by-mail ballot should look for its arrival in mailboxes soon. After receiving it, voters should follow the directions carefully and return it one of three ways: by mail, via a secure drop box or by hand-delivering it to the Election Board. It’s an easy and secure way to exercise this important right.” Registered Republicans and Democrats interested in voting with a VBM ballot can still request one for the Burlington County Clerk’s Office. A VBM request form can be found on the Burlington County Clerk’s webpage at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/996/Vote-by-Mail-Information . After May 28, all vote-by-mail applications must be requested in person at the County Clerk’s Office at 50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly. All requests must be made by 3 p.m. on June 3. No vote-by-mail ballots will be issued after that deadline. Completed vote-by-mail ballots can be submitted through the U.S. Post Office or placed in one of 28 secure drop boxes located throughout the county. Burlington County drop box locations can be found online: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-secure-drop-boxes.shtml . Voters may also hand-deliver completed VBM ballots to the Burlington County Board of Elections Office at 50 Rancocas Road. There is also a drop box located immediately outside the building. Unaffiliated voters can participate in the primary by declaring a party affiliation with either the Republican or Democratic party. Declaration forms are available from the Burlington County Superintendent of Elections or online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/556/Forms-Documents. Completed forms should be returned to the Superintendent of Elections Office at 50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly. Unaffiliated voters have until May 28 to declare a party affiliation to receive a VBM ballot in the mail. Unaffiliated voters who miss the May 28 deadline to declare a party can vote in person during either the three-day early voting period (May 29 to June 2) or on Primary Election Day on June 4. Those unaffiliated voters will be required to change their party affiliation to either Democrat or Republican before casting their ballot. “Voting is one of the most fundamental rights in America and Burlington County residents have several different ways to exercise that right,” said Burlington County Commissioner Dan O’Connell, liaison for Elections. “Voters should know that however they choose to cast their ballot – by mail or with a machine – they’ll be able to do it safely and securely so that their vote is correctly counted.” Voters with questions about the election and voting process can call the Burlington County Elections hotline at 609-265-VOTE. — Courtesy of Burlington County