Mayoral Candidate Releases Manual to Address Mail-in Ballots

Over the past years, there have been issues with Parsippany's mail-in ballot and recently, a Superior Court judge expressed frustration over this problem and wanted the Morris County Board of Elections to take action.

The Office of the Attorney General recently invited all Parsippany candidates and municipal chairs to attend a seminar on the Vote By Mail (VBM) process and Parsippany mayoral candidate Jonathan Nelson put together a campaign manual to address VBM.

Earlier this year, Jonathan Nelson, a businessman elected for a one-year council term last November, kicked off his mayoral campaign and his campaign “has been proactive in educating all of it's volunteers on the VBM process,” according to a press release. “All volunteers have received a manual which clearly outlines the proper procedure of the entire VBM process.”  A copy of the Nelson for Mayor's VPM manual will be posted at http://nelsonformayor.com 

In his manual, he explains VBM, which is a program that “allows voters to cast their vote in an election by mailing in their ballot rather than physically going to the polls on Election Day. To Cast their vote by mail, a voter must first fill out and submit a Vote By Mail application to the Morris County Clerk’s office.”

Canvassers and campaign staff should carry Vote By Mail

forms with them on walks and at events.

His manual included several Do’s and Don’ts, such as do keep accurate notes on your list, especially if you run

into special situations and do not write on the application for any reason or deface it in any way. Only assist the voter by answering questions. If the voter needs further assistance completing the application, make a note of it and tell them they will be contacted. Do Not be overly aggressive with a voter. They should not at any time feel as if they are being forced to complete an application. Do Not make up answers. If you are unsure how to 

answer a voter’s questions, make a note of it and have the Field Office contact him/her. Do Not ever have anyone other than the voter sign the VPM application. This is Against the Law! If the application is not properly filled out, please tell the Field Director.

Lastly, Do Not offer to pick up a ballot for a voter. Do Not tough a ballot.