About 175,000 people have applied to vote through the state’s well publicized new vote-by-mail program.

Somerset County Clerk Bret Radi, who as county clerk section chief is responsible for coordinating the statewide information on the program, called it a success.

“Our collective efforts have made this transition smooth and successful for voters," he said.  

Of the 175,000, just over 100,000 have cast their ballots  About 5,200 applications have been rejected for various reaons, including lack of signatures, signatures that do not match those on file and even in some cases bein sent by a person who is not registered to vote.

The totals are well below the number of absentee ballots submitted in 2008, when 245,909 New Jersey residents voted by mail.  But that was a presidential year, where many more residents typically vote than in gubernatorial elections.

“I honestly don’t know the expectations that the parties set for themselves.  As far as my expectations for my particular county, I personally didn’t expect to do as many as we did in last year’s presidential election,” said Radi.

LESNIAK-SWEENEY 'VOTE BY MAIL LAW' RECEIVES SENATE APPROVAL

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak and Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney which would create a Vote by Mail system to allow more New Jerseyans to take part in the democratic process was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 24-14.

“Voting by mail has become a popular alternative nationwide for busy voters unable to get to the voting booth on Election Day,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “Oregon and Washington State have an electoral system that’s run entirely from the mailbox, as opposed to the ballot box, and many other states are considering hybrid systems which balance voter convenience with vote integrity. As New Jersey tries to get more people to exert their voice in government, we must make it easier for voters to vote on their own terms, rather than try to squeeze something else into what can be a hectic workday.”

LESNIAK-SWEENEY ‘VOTE BY MAIL LAW’ APPROVED IN SENATE COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak and Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney which would create a Vote by Mail system to allow more New Jerseyans to take part in the democratic process was approved by the Senate State Government Committee today by a vote of 3-2.

QUIGLEY MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE ON THE 'VOTE BY MAIL LAW OF 2008'

(JERSEY CITY) - With the November general election two weeks away, Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley (D-Hudson), chairwoman of the Assembly State Government Committee today issued a multimedia package on her legislation (A-2451) to clarify and expand New Jersey's no-fault absentee voting program, more commonly known as "Vote by Mail."

ASSEMBLY PASSES QUIGLEY/CONNERS 'VOTE BY MAIL LAW OF 2008'

Measure Would Streamline Steps Voters Use to Cast Absentee Ballots in Elections

(TRENTON) - The General Assembly today passed legislation Assembly members Joan M. Quigley and Jack Conners sponsored to eliminate New Jersey's current absentee ballot system and replace it with a true "vote-by-mail" system.

ASSEMBLY STATE GOVERNMENT PANEL RELEASES QUIGLEY/CONNERS 'VOTE BY MAIL LAW OF 2008'
Measure Would Streamline Steps Voters Use to Cast Absentee Ballots

(TRENTON) - The Assembly State Government Committee today released legislation Assembly members Joan M. Quigley and Jack Conners sponsored to eliminate New Jersey's current absentee ballot system and replace it with a true "vote-by-mail" system.