NJ-4 Congressional Race: What To Know For 2022 Primary Election

Toms River NJ

25 May, 2022

4:18 PM

Description

NEW JERSEY — The 2022 Congressional race in New Jersey's 4th district is nearing its first major turning point: the primary election. There are three candidates seeking the Republican nomination: Chris Smith, and challengers Mike Crispi and Tricia Flanagan. Crispi is on the ballot; Flanagan is not but announced she is running a write-in campaign for the nomination. Matthew Jenkins is seeking the Democratic nomination. Smith has represented New Jersey's 4th District for the last 10 years; the district is changing due to redistricting, which has happened previously during Smith's time in Congress. The primary election is set for June 7. New Jersey has a closed primary system, which means you must be a member of a particular party to vote in that party's primary. Voters who are registered but unaffiliated with any party can vote in the primary by declaring a party affiliation at the polls. The winners of the primary election will secure their party's nomination for the general election, which takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 8. >> Get local election updates sent to your inbox. Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Voters can turn in ballots one of three ways: VOTE EARLY: Early-voting locations will become available in all New Jersey counties from Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 5. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. No appointment is necessary. Learn more about early voting in the state here. VOTE BY MAIL: Registered voters can apply for a vote-by-mail ballot by following the instructions found at vote.nj.gov or contacting their county clerk. Ballots must be postmarked on or before 8 p.m. on Election Day, and must be received by their county's Board of Elections on or before the sixth day after the close of the polls. Voters can also place their vote-by-mail ballot in one of their county's secure ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Drop box locations can be seen online here. VOTE IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY: Polls will be open for in-person voting from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7. Find your local polling place here. Here are some important dates and times for those casting ballots in this year's primary election: May 31 – This is the last day residents can apply for a Mail-In Ballot by Mail.June 2 – This is the last day for applications to receive primary election mail-in ballots by electronic means for qualified overseas civilian and military voters.June 3 through June 5 – This is the in-person early voting period for the Primary Election.June 6 (by 3 p.m.) – This is the deadline for in-person mail-in ballot applications for the Primary Election.June 7 – Voters head to the polls to cast their ballots. Online and paper registration forms and ballots can be found on the New Jersey Department of State's website or by clicking here.