NEW BRUNSWICK - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez released a special video message to New Jersey registered voters today outlining the available voting options New Jerseyans have in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. 

"As New Jersey continues the recovery process from last week's devastating storm, it is important that all residents know they can still exercise their right to vote and that their vote will count," said Menendez for Senate Campaign Manager Mike Soliman. "We want to make sure everybody is aware of the options available to them so that anybody who wants to cast a vote will be able to do so."

The video can be viewed by clicking this link: http://youtu.be/9ZGMkx-Wsyg

The text of the video message follows:

Hello, I’m Senator Bob Menendez.

I’ve lived in New Jersey all my life, and I’ve never seen a disaster as bad as Hurricane Sandy. If you need help, call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or dial 211.

Since Tuesday, I have visited devastated areas across the state and have witnessed the great courage and resilience of the people of New Jersey.

Now that officials have decided to proceed with the elections on Tuesday, I wanted you to know of measures the State of New Jersey and county clerks are taking to help make it easier for people to vote.

First. Because the storm has forced changes in many polling site locations, please use your cell phone on Election Day and text the word “Where,” W-H-E-R-E to 877-877 to verify your voting site.

Second. Voters who have been displaced from their homes and unable to get to their polling sites will be allowed to vote in any polling site in the state using provisional ballots. 

So, if on Election Day you are displaced or seriously affected by the storm, please use the toll-free 877-877 number, text the word “WHERE,” and put in your location.  Within seconds you will get the address of the polling site closest to you.

Third.  If you don’t vote at a polling site, you will also be allowed to vote online or by fax.  Just call or visit your county clerk’s website to request a mail-in ballot. You can fill it out and send it back to your county clerk online or by fax.

Finally, all registered voters have the option of voting early in this election at their county clerk’s office. There, voters can obtain and cast ballots, or deliver a mail-in ballot.  This option is available until 3 p.m. today.

So, no matter what you’re hearing, Election Day is on for Tuesday and your vote matters.  I truly hope your circumstances will allow you to vote.

If you have any doubt as to where your polling site is, please text the word “WHERE” to 877-877.

Thanks. Be safe. And count on me to work tirelessly to do everything within my power to rebuild New Jersey.