As some highly contested races await in the June primaries next week, Ocean County Clerk Scott Colabella and the board of elections are offering a final opportunity to cast a ballot before the day at the polls.

If you can't make it there on June 4 you can come to the board of elections office on Hooper Avenue in Toms River this Saturday between 9:00 and 4:00 to use a vote by mail ballot.

On Saturday staff from the County Clerk’s Office and the Board of Elections will assist primary election voters by giving you the opportunity to apply for a Vote by Mail ballot, vote and return it to the Board of Election staff that day.

County Clerk Scott Colabella said that May 28 was the last day his office could receive through the U.S. mail a Vote by Mail application.

“After that date voters must apply for a Vote by Mail ballot in person. They have until 3 p.m., Monday, June 3 to do so,” Colabella said. “We set aside Saturday, June 1 to give voters the opportunity on a weekend day to vote using a Vote by Mail ballot. They can fill it out and leave it right at the Board of Elections. We have been providing this opportunity for a number of years and encourage voters to take advantage of it."

“Voting is a fundamental right,” Ocean County Freeholder Gary Quinn, who serves as liaison to the County Clerk, said. “Our County Clerk and Election Board closely work to assist our voters by providing them with the opportunity to cast a ballot even if they can’t get to the polls on Election Day.”

Voters also have the opportunity to apply in person and obtain a Vote by Mail Ballot in the Toms River office of the County Clerk at 118 Washington Street or at the Southern Service Center, 179 South Main Street, Manahawkin, until Friday, May 31.

The office hours at both sites are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Voters do not need a reason to use the Vote by Mail option in New Jersey.

The deadline for obtaining a Vote by Mail Ballot in person is 3 p.m., Monday, June 3.

After that voters must obtain a court order from a judge allowing them to apply for a Vote by Mail Ballot.

The County Clerk's Election Office is located in the Ocean County Courthouse, Room 107, 118 Washington Street.

As of May 28, the County Clerk's Election Office issued a total of 29,055 Vote by Mail Ballots for the upcoming June 4 Primary Election.

Of the ballots issued, 11,665 have been issued to registered Republicans; 7,975 ballots have been issued to registered Democrats and 9,415 ballots have been issued to unaffiliated voters.

There are 136,710 registered Republican voters in Ocean County, 86,176 registered Democrats, and 179,339 unaffiliated or undeclared voters.

All voters who wish to apply in person for a Vote by Mail Ballot need to sign their name as it appears in the voter registry book.

For additional information on obtaining a Vote by Mail Ballot, individuals may contact the County Clerk's Election Office at (732) 929-2153.

More than 400,000 sample ballots have been mailed in Ocean County providing registered voters with a copy of the official ballot that will appear on voting machines June 4 as well as the polling place location for the 413 County election districts.

Colabella added that a copy of the official sample ballot and polling location addresses for all 33 municipalities are also available at www.oceancountyclerk.com, the County Clerk's web site or voters can visit www.facebook.com/oceancountyclerk the County Clerk’s Facebook page.

More Jersey Shore News:

More From Beach Radio