By now, you’ve received (or should have) your vote by mail election ballot from Atlantic County Clerk Ed McGettigan. This is for the Tuesday, July 7, 2020, primary election.

For most New Jerseyans, this will be the first time that you’ve ever voted by mail. With the exception of voters with disabilities, all New Jersey voters will vote in the upcoming election, using the vote by mail election ballot process.

For the record, I don’t like this one bit. I’ve been voting since 1978 and I’ve never missed voting in any election since.

I’ve always voted in person at the voting precinct.

I’ve never had a problem with absentee ballots. If you’re sick. Away on vacation. Away at school. No problem. You should have every right to vote.

Don’t listen to people who say that if you’re opposed to vote by mail that you’re guilty of supporting voter suppression.

I believe that more people voting is a good thing. However, with millions of ballots being mailed out in this fashion, there is room for massive cheating.

Here’s another problem. Many people are just throwing away their vote by mail ballot. It looks like junk mail or a sample ballot that most people never open.

I’ve shared my thoughts here about vote by mail, but, the main reason I’m writing this column is to let you know that the item that you received on Friday of last week is your actual voting ballot.

Treat it like your own personal voting machine that’s been delivered to your home.

Don’t inadvertently throw your ballot away, and, whatever you do, don’t let it get in the hands of anyone else.

Hopefully, this will only be a one time practice for the upcoming Tuesday, July 7, 2020, Primary Election.

However, I have a sneaky suspicion that this is the grand plan... to make New Jersey a Vote by Mail state forever more.

I think those in power will use the coronavirus pandemic to extend a total vote by mail election for the Tuesday, November 3, 2020, general election.

Most primary election contests are unopposed and uneventful.

However, the Atlantic City Democratic Mayoral primary is for all intents and purposes, the general election. Incumbent Mayor Marty Small is the front-runner. His chief rival is Pam Fields.

Another key primary election is the race for the United States House of Representatives on the Democrat side in New Jersey’s second congressional district. Amy Kennedy is facing Brigid Callahan Harrison in a heated primary election.

Harrison has opted to run a hyper negative, scorched earth strategy. It’s been nasty.

Reminder, your vote by mail election ballot must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

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