County Clerk Joe Giralo says 2026 general election ballots were mailed Sept. 11 as Atlantic County introduces prepaid return postage
MAYS LANDING — Atlantic County voters who requested vote-by-mail ballots for the Nov. 3 general election should begin watching their mailboxes.
And when it's time to send those ballots back, County Clerk Joe Giralo says voters won't have to find a stamp.
Giralo announced Thursday on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND that Atlantic County's initial batch of general election mail ballots left the post office Sept. 11 and should begin reaching voters now.
“Our vote by mails are all in the mail,” Giralo said.
The mailing puts Atlantic County ahead of New Jersey's Sept. 19 statewide date for commencement of general election mail-ballot distribution. State law permits county clerks to begin forwarding approved ballots on or before the 45th day before the election.
No Stamp Needed, Giralo Says
The biggest change Atlantic County voters may notice this year is on the return envelope.
Giralo said return postage is now prepaid, eliminating the need for voters to purchase or attach a stamp before putting a completed ballot in the mail.
“You no longer have to put a stamp,” Giralo said. “This is something that I have worked on for quite some time.”
Giralo said resolving outstanding postal issues was part of the process.
“There were a lot of roadblocks along the way,” he said, adding that the office worked through unpaid postage bills he said were inherited from a prior administration.
“We got that squared away, and I'm happy to say that you can just drop your vote by mail back in your own mailbox, and the mailman will pick it up,” Giralo said.
The state's current 2026 vote-by-mail instructions also refer to the ballot's “prepaid mailing envelope.”
Atlantic County's existing vote-by-mail webpage, however, still says postage is required. Giralo specifically described prepaid postage Thursday as a new change, indicating the county webpage has not yet been updated to reflect it.
Three Ways to Return a Ballot
Voters aren't required to return their ballots through the Postal Service.
Giralo said Atlantic County has 20 secure ballot drop boxes throughout the county and that information listing the locations is included with the mailed ballot.
Under New Jersey election rules, voters can return their completed vote-by-mail ballot by mail, place it in an authorized secure ballot drop box or deliver it directly to the county Board of Elections.
Mailed ballots must be postmarked by 8 p.m. Nov. 3 and received by the county Board of Elections by Nov. 9. Ballots delivered to a drop box or directly to the Board of Elections must arrive by 8 p.m. Election Day.
A vote-by-mail ballot cannot be returned at an Election Day polling place or an early-voting location.
Still Time to Request a Ballot
Atlantic County voters who haven't already requested a vote-by-mail ballot still have time.
Giralo said voters can apply through the Atlantic County Clerk's office.
“You can go online to our website, atlanticcountyclerk.org, and it'll take you to the site, and you can apply for a vote by mail right online,” Giralo said.
New Jersey introduced an online mail-ballot application option beginning in 2026. The deadline to apply to receive a general election ballot through the mail is Oct. 27. Voters can apply in person at their county clerk's office through 3 p.m. Nov. 2.
Request a New Jersey vote-by-mail ballot
Early Voting Begins Oct. 24
Voters who prefer to cast a ballot in person have two other options.
New Jersey's nine-day early-voting period runs Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, with designated early-voting locations available in each county.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Giralo also said Atlantic County's sample ballots have already been printed and are available to view through the clerk's website. Mailed sample ballots must go out by Oct. 21. They will include voters' Election Day polling locations as well as information about early-voting sites.
Giralo encouraged residents to familiarize themselves with their ballots well before Election Day.
“It's most important that your voice be heard,” he said.
Atlantic County Clerk Joe Giralo discussed the 2026 election Thursday on The Don Williams Show, heard Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 a.m. on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
About the Author
Scott Stephens
Scott has been an on-air personality, producer and newscaster for 30+ years. He has been a mainstay in the South Jersey Community and on the air across many different area stations. Scott can currently be heard on Kool 98.3 and News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
