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. 30. Completed ballots must be received by the Board of Elections before the close of the polls on Election Day.
Camden County also offers a Vote Early Program. The Early Voting Center is located at the Camden County Elections and Archive Center, 100 University Court, Blackwood, NJ 08012. From now through Election Day, interested voters can cast their ballots at this location Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. As Election Day approaches, the Center will offer extended hours. This information will be available at www.camdencounty.com.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Voters will be casting ballots to elect a State Senator, a member Congress, three Freeholder Seats, the County Sheriff, two Voorhees Township Committee members, two Eastern Regional Board of Education members and three Voorhees Township Board of Education members. There is also one 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 Kresson Fire Hall
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 Voorhees School Administration Building
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 Kirkwood Fire Hall
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 Voorhees Town Center Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting will be on Nov. 16 starting at 6:30 p.m. The annual 36-foot holiday tree lighting will follow Santa’s arrival. Visit Santa from Nov. 17 through Christmas Eve, during Mall hours. Bring your pets and have their photos taken with Santa every Monday evening at 6 p.m. For more information visit www.voorheestowncenter.com.
**Learn watercolor painting with artist Ann May Kelly at the Voorhees Arts Center & Gallery located in the Voorhees Town Center. Classes are 11a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday through Nov. 9. The cost is $15 per class plus materials. For more information contact Marianne Leone at www.sustainablevoorhees.org or call 609-315-6218.
