Six Things to Know About Tuesday's Special Senate Primary

Here's a guide for voters participating in Tuesday's special primary balloting for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Frank Lautenberg, who died in June:

1. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Don't expect to see long lines outside the polling locations: primaries normally only draw the most politically active voters and Tuesday's voting—in September—isn't likely to change that trend. On the bright side, don't expect to wait in long lines if you're voting!

2. Any registered voter can vote in the primary.
Many believe only voters who have declared a party affiliation can participate in the primary voting, but registered, independent voters can declare for a party and vote in that party's primary. 

Voters registered with a party can also switch their party registration to vote in the primary, but needed to have completed the New Jersey Political Party Affiliation Declaration Form and filed it 55 days ago.

3. Republicans will chose between two candidates.
Alieta Eck, a physician at the Zaraphath Health Center in Somerset, is facing longtime libertarian stalwart Steve Lonegan, of Bogata. You can learn more about their positions from their July 31 debate.

4. Democrats will choose from four candidates.
More attention has been focused on the crowded Democratic field, which has frontrunner Newark Mayor Cory Booker facing popular Princeton U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver.

You can learn about their positions from their final debate, held Aug. 8.  

5. The candidates have eight weeks to campaign before the special election.
Gov. Christie set a special election to be held Oct. 16, a few weeks ahead of the regular general election. The candidates for the seat will have two months to campaign before the election, with the winner taking the oath of office shortly after the election.
    
Currently, N.J. Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa, of Bound Brook, was appointed to fill the seat until the election of a senator to complete Lautenberg's term.

6. Information on polling places in Point Borough and Point Beach: 

All Point Beach voters are to use Fire House #2 on Laurel Avenue, between Bay Avenue and Route 35 South, to vote in the special primary.

In prior years, Fire House #1 on Arnold Avenue was also used. However, since that was flooded by Superstorm Sandy, the municipality has only been using Fire House #2 on Laurel.

The polling places in Point Borough are listed on the attached PDF and are also on the sample ballots that have been mailed out. If you do not know which district you are in, call Borough Hall at (732) 892-3434.

Written by John Patten with local information about polling places added by Denise Di Stephan.