Ocean City voters will go to the polls on May 10 to elect a mayor and three At-Large City Council members. The following is the timeline for the election:
- March 7: Candidate petition filing deadline.
- March 25: Mailing of vote-by-mail ballots to voters will be no later than March 25.
- April 19: Last day to register to vote. Voter registration application.
- May 3: Last day county clerk can receive applications by mail for mail-in ballots. Application for vote-by-mail ballot.
- May 4 through May 9: Any voter who failed to apply by mail for a mail-in ballot may apply at the County Clerk’s Office by 3 p.m. the day prior to the election. See EMERGENCY TIME explanation below.
- May 10: Polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
VOTING IN PERSON
Polls will be open in Ocean City 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022. See Municipal Election Polling Places 2022. Check back soon for a revised map of wards and voting districts that will reflect changes mandated by the 2020 U.S. Census. Polling places will include new touchscreen voting equipment. Check back for a preview of what to expect at the polls.
VOTING BY MAIL
Any registered Ocean City voter can request a vote-by-mail ballot by completing an application for a vote-by-mail ballot. Once they receive and complete them, voters can return ballots by mail (they must be postmarked no later than May 10 and received by the county no later than 6 days after the election).
Voters can return ballots by using the secure dropbox outside City Hall (861 Asbury Avenue). Voters can deliver mail-in ballots in-person to the County Board of Elections (10 W. Mechanic St., Cape May Court House) before the close of the polls on election day.
Voters requesting a vote-by-mail ballot will be asked if they would like to receive mail-in ballots for “all future elections” or for “only one” election.
Anybody who was issued a vote-by-mail ballot for this election will be given a provisional ballot if they show up at the polls.
This allows the election board to make sure only one vote is counted for each voter. Voters can check to see if they are on an active and continuing vote-by-mail list by visiting vote.nj.gov under “Track My Ballot.”
Anybody who no longer wants to receive vote-by-mail ballots, must complete the opt-out form available at capemaycountyvotes.com.
EARLY VOTING IN PERSON
Polls will not be open for early in-person voting in this municipal election.
SAMPLE BALLOTS
Sample ballots including all candidates for mayor and at-large City Council member are being printed and will be mailed by early May. A list of candidates (in the order they will appear on the ballot) can be viewed on this public notice.
EMERGENCY TIME
If a voter does not meet the application deadline (7 days prior to an election) for a mail-in ballot to be sent by mail, the voter may appear in person to the Cape May County Clerk’s Office until 3 p.m. the day prior to the election.
This is known as “emergency time.” Approved applicants will receive their ballots on the spot.
If the voter cannot appear in person, he/she may complete an application designating a messenger, who must be either a family member or a registered voter in Cape May County.
The messenger must appear at the County Clerk’s Office with the application and photo identification. If the application is approved, the ballot will be issued to the messenger for delivery to the voter. The messenger may not be a candidate. No person shall serve as an authorized messenger for more than three qualified voters in an election.
