MAYOR’S COLUMN
” …Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Abraham Lincoln
In order for government to be “by the people,” we must exercise our right to vote. It is not only an important individual liberty; it is the foundation of free government.
The right to vote was initially established in 1789. In 1870, the 15th Amendment guaranteed the right to vote to all men who were 21 or older regardless of race or ethnic background. In 1920, the 19th Amendment gave women age 21 or older the right to vote. Finally, in 1971, the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age across the nation to 18.
In recent years, casting your ballot has been made even easier through the Vote by Mail Program. If you wish to take advantage of this program, applications can be obtained by visiting the County Store at the Voorhees Town Center or online at www.camdencounty.com/vbm. Applications for vote by mail ballots must be received by the Camden County Clerk no later than Oct. 31. Completed ballots must be received by the Board of Elections before the close of the polls on Election Day.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Voters will be casting ballots to elect the Governor, a State Senator, two Assembly seats, two Freeholder seats, two Township Committee seats, two Eastern Regional Board of Education seats and three Voorhees Township Board of Education seats. There are also two ballot questions. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Voorhees Township.
If you wish to vote in person, ballots can be cast at the following locations:
Residents of District 1 (Greenridge and Ashland areas) Vote at Ashland Presbyterian Church
Residents of District 2 (Kirkwood and Carriagebrooke Farm) Vote at the Kirkwood Fire Hall
Residents of District 3 (Alluvium Woods area) Vote at Kresson Fire Hall
Residents of District 4 (Echelon Towers and La Bonne Vie areas) Vote at Yardley Commons
Residents of District 5 (Three Pond and Franklin Square areas) Vote at Town Hall
Residents of District 6 (Portion of Sturbridge Lakes and Woodbrook areas) Vote at the
Voorhees School Administration Building
Residents of District 7 (Lost Tree and Holly Oak) Vote at the Barry Brown Health Education Center
Residents of District 8 (Main Street Estates area) Vote at the Meeting Place at Hope Church
Residents of District 9 (Devonshire, Lake Villa, Elm Tree and Alluvium Lakes areas) Vote at the Muslim American Community Church
Residents of District 10 (Alluvium area) Vote at Lions Lake Community Center
Residents of District 11 (Portion of Sturbridge Lakes) Vote at the Hampton Inn Route 73
Residents of District 12 (Ashland Terrace, Woodcrest, Staffordshire Estates area) Vote at
Town Hall
Residents of District 13 (Avian area) Vote at the Brendenwood Senior Center
Residents of District 14 (Rainwood area) Vote at Brendenwood Senior Center
Residents of District 15 (Beagle Club, Wood Glen, Laurie Drive area) Vote at Lions Lake Community Center
Residents of District 16 (Sturbridge Estates and Sturbridge Woods areas) Vote at the Hampton Inn Route 73
Residents of District 17 (Centennial Mill area) Vote at Centennial Mill Clubhouse
Residents of District 18 (Village Apartments area) Vote at the Vistas Clubhouse
Residents of District 19 (Staffordshire and Traditions area) Vote at Lions Gate
Any voter who is not listed on the voting rolls or is denied the right to vote, and who believes he or she is properly registered, can vote by way of a provisional ballot which will be reviewed by the Board of Elections to determine voter eligibility.
Each voter will receive a sample ballot in the mail prior to the election which will identify that voter’s district.
If you have any questions about casting your vote, call the Voorhees Municipal Clerk at 856-429-7757 or email her at clerk@voorheesnj.com.
Your vote counts.
** The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation will hold its 15th Annual Birthday Bash on Friday, Oct. 27 from 6:30 p.m. until midnight at Lucien’s Manor in Berlin. The Foundation furnishes Teen Lounges in hospitals to enhance the quality of life for teens with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Tickets are $150. For more information, call (856) 784-0615 or visit info@arvf.org.
**The Voorhees Town Center’s Annual Thriller Night will be on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Come out and enjoy a Halloween movie on the big screen and dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. There will also be face painters, balloon animals and a special visit from some despicable minions.
**The Animal Welfare Association (AWA) is hosting “Howl-o-ween Trunk or Treat” on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the AWA located at 509 Centennial Blvd. This free event is for kids and their (leashed well-behaved) dogs. There will be candy for kids and treats for dogs, including allergen free candy. “Howl-o-ween Trunk or Treat” will also include a costume contest for kids and dogs.
** Voorhees Township’s Annual Halloween Festival will be held on Sun., Oct. 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Again this year the event will be held at The Voorhees Town Center. Take an old-fashioned hayride or pick a pumpkin from the Voorhees Business Association’s Pumpkin Patch. Candy and refreshments will be plentiful. Activities will include a Halloween Costume Parade, pumpkin painting and decorating, balloon artists, a Halloween themed magic show and face painting. The Voorhees Township Police Department will be providing Halloween safety tips and conducting a Kids’ I.D. card registration. For more information, visit www.voorheesnj.com or call 856-882-SHOW.
