In The County!
Numbers are from the Monmouth County Board of Elections “election results” page. To see the mail-in numbers for each election you have to click on the “districts reporting” icon (on the left, with a little house on it.)
If you look at the numbers, the percentage of the mail-in votes each candidate got pretty much mirrored the percent of votes they got at the polls. Except in Belmar.
Another thing worth noting: Asbury Park would have had the most mail-in votes except half of theirs were declared invalid by county election officials.
54 Comments
Although it is a legitimate form of voting, there is something to be said for organized efforts of candidates and their minions who go out and harvest these types of mail-in ballots.
So what exactly are you suggesting? Voter fraud? Spring Lake had 15%. Was that voter fraud too? Voting by mail is a legal right. More convenient for a lot of people. Taking advantage of that option isn’t an indication of shenanigans. So what’s the point of bringing it up, other than to suggest that the results of the election aren’t legitimate? Who cares if EVERY vote is cast by mail, as long as people vote. Actually, I would argue that’s a GOOD thing. If we didn’t have the mail in votes even fewer people would have voted! Whatever we can do to get more people to exercise this important right is fine by me!! Don’t you want more people to vote, too?
There are people who have no idea what’s going on here and couldn’t care less about what goes on here and they are being approached by people who are asking them to sign up and vote, and vote a specific way, just as a personal favor for someone. Those are not the kinds of voters Belmar needs.
Yo #2 are you asleep? Voting by mail in is not the issue. Wake up
If that’s not a “flag” I don’t know what is. Spring Lake has MANY seasonal homes and if verified their mail in votes could be declared invalid if primary residence is not Spring Lake. Things that make you go “hmmm”?
I think it’s incredibly presumptuous to imply that all, most or even some of the people that vote by mail “have no idea what’s going on here” and therefore the validity of those votes is suspect. A voter participating at the polls doesn’t have to demonstrate understanding of the issues to cast their ballot. Is there a different yard stick for mail ins? The supposition that people voting by mail are somehow more likely to commit voter fraud is illogical. Applications for mail in ballots are checked for legitimacy before the ballot is issued. The people of the Board of Elections should be offended at the implication that they can’t or don’t do their jobs.
The walk in the vote town council and mayor, sponsored by Djais.
All of the voters have their own mind…what are you saying. That people can’t think for themselves in Belmar. Get over it. And really….leave Djais alone! They are great people who do a lot for this community. Mail in votes, going to the polls..it doesn’t matter…they are all voters…and legal voters I might add.
How about this a NJ town elects a woman to the school board that has been dead,now they have to spend http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2014/11/salem_city_elects_deceased_woman_to_board_of_education.htmlmoney to hold another election.
This IS a problem. The numbers do not lie.
Excellent point, Tom. Again, I can’t help but wonder if anyone would be complaining about the mail-in vote if the mail in vote went their way.
Speaking of votes… I believe there were 140 hand delivered votes challenged. The mayor stated that all of these votes counted- Is this true ? If this is not true and even one vote was ruled invalid then there is a problem. One bogus vote is too many.
You claim that mail in voters “have no ise whats’ going on here” what is more accurate is that those inviduals who challenge the votes of their neighbors don’t have any idea what is going on.
It shows how out of touch with our town you and they really are.
What do Ocean twp, Lake Como, Howell, Freehold, Wall, and Neptune all have in common? Individuals from these towns all hand delivered ballots for the Belmar election.
I would take an educated guess and say to you Tom from Belmar that these people and the over 20 voters they couriered for “have no idea what’s going on here”.
If you refuse to acknowledge it, that’s your business, but don’t act like the rest of us are making this stuff up.
So let me see if I have this right.
Belmar has the highest percentage of mail in ballots in the county, multiples higher than most other towns. Unlike the other towns, whose mail in results more or less mirrored the poll results, Belmar’s go more than 2:1 to the incumbent party even though the poll results have Doherty winning by only 51.8% to 48.2% and actually have challenger Seebeck winning 53.2% to 46.8%.
On top of that, scores of those mail in ballots are collected and hand delivered by employees of a nightclub that has been trying to get the law changed so they can operate year round in a residential neighborhood.
As you all must know, Belmar has very strict pay to play ordinances to prevent liquor license holders from trying to influence our elections. But the law only covers monetary donations including in kind monetary donations. However the spirit of the law is to PREVENT INFLUENCE.
Now, are you guys trying to say that none of what I’ve described should be raising anybody’s eyebrows?
So, if I look at the County website and take out my calculator – Matt Doherty won 51.7% of the live (or machine) vote, and 71.5% of the mail-in (including hand-delivered) votes. Where Tom Brennan actually lost the live vote with 46.8% of those votes and then garnered 68.2% of the mail-in votes. Why was there such a vast contrast in votes cast between the 1800 live voters and the 380 mail-in voters? Sorry, right or wrong, something does appear quite askew here.
This is all very disturbing and it’s about time this entire story is spoon fed to the New York Times. How a nightclub is controlling the public elections in a small beach town.
Please he gets to go the next 4 yrs knowing that most people with a brain think he is an ——. I hope everyone takes Ken Pringle letter hangs its on the fridge and mark it of one by one as he takes this town in to the toilet . Please Claire I really would like you to do this. To think a bar or bartender who like to think he is a local , plese move back to the grove. It most be a good feeling knowin you won an election by winning I still live in my parents basement vote . Hold on tight Belmar it goin g to get worse before it gets better.
Comment 11
Richard, the Republicans did challenge many of the mail-in votes before the election occurred, not knowing who those votes were even for.
If you recall, they were viciously accused all over the media and in flyers of trying to “suppress” the vote. This was just for asking election officials to verify their validity.
Comment 2
Richard, in Spring Lake Brendan Judge won 43% at the poll and 41% of the mail-in. Matthew Sagui won 29% at the poll and 30% of the mail-in. Paul Jordan won 28% at the poll and 29% of the mail-in.
I would like to know why Spring Lake has so many mail-ins but I’m sure it’s a different reason than in Belmar.
My nickel’s worth: Some people see only what they want to see. The facts never convince anyone who has prejudice. In this case, statistics do not lie, they reveal an anomaly. A suspicious anomaly. Something is rotten in Belmar – these numbers tell me so, not my opinion of the mayor.
The Truth-Most people with a brain think that you should use your actual name…..most people with a brain think Mayor Matt did a fine job his first four years..I heard this over and over again on the campaign trail..even from several Republicans..don’t need to post Ken Pringle’s letter on my fridge-he has his opinions and I have mine-we worked extremely hard with this campaign-don’t really understand the last part of your message…..every one has a right to vote-whether it be mail-in or at the polls-our opposition made Freehold acutely aware of their thoughts/feelings……after a perusal of the votes in question, it was my understanding that all was A-OK..please understand that if you mention my name, I always respond….
I don’t live in Belmar, but I’m afraid the town is headed in the tank. Surging debt, a lopsided council, and a dimwitted mayor who is basically a sock puppet for a nightclub owner. Just watch the towns taxes and debt explode the next few years. At that point doherty will be long gone.
Yo Steve I agree
Do you truly think the people of Belmar are that stupid? We are not. This is crazy. The election is over. Why can’t we all work together now? Free food and a half price drink did NOT make people vote the way they did. If Bean and Seeback would have won, the good people of Belmar would not have called them names. The people would have worked with them to better the town. Stop all of the name calling. Votes are in. The election is over. Now it’s time for Everyone to work TOGETHER!
http://www.aberdeennj.org/content/151/380/default.aspx
This is what Belmar should do so all are properly informed.
Claire, since you always respond to your name please answer this. Abby Taylor lives in Ocean NJ and is a bartender at D’Jais, per Facebook. She was the authorized messenger(hand delivered) for 5 people living in Belmar, all not related. What would have motivated her to do this work? I think it is fair to say her employment at D’Jais had something to do with her motivations. So what motivation did she have to drive ballots on different days all the way down to Freehold? You are going to try and dodge this and say “You can’t speak for her” but you are an educated woman. Take an educated guess. Speculate. What is in it for D’Jais that would motivate their bartenders to perform all of this work? For the record…Jim and Mike stated they were against year round DJais. Thank you Claire for trying to bring Belmar back to 1990.
#27 SHRUGGED….this is just plain nuts….when Ken Prngle was running for mayor and the businesses supported him it wasn’t a problem. Also all bars supported Pringle to. Why is it such a problem now with these establishments? They have a right to. They are residences to. They can support who they want to. No one is complaining about the newer residents who are TRying to change Belmar into a quiet friendly town where our taxes would skyrocket. We just don’t understand. As far as D’Jais they have been here since 1952. They have a right to support whoever they choose. If people wanted a different type of town they should move to Spring Lake or Avon. They are a friendly family town. We can’t believe how D’Jais irritates some of you people so much. They go out of their way to do the right thing to please the neighborhood. Some people just are never happy. They have a right to make a living. Just like everyone else.
I don’t know either candidate, and from what I saw, they both acted like third graders for most of their campaigns.
Having said that, if Mayor Doherty has to make a decision for the town, he has to make sure he appeases the following constituencies:
-Djais/Frank Sementa
-M Public Affairs (aka, his wife)
-The Unions
-The NJ Democrat Machine (you can bet he’s got ambitions well beyond Belmar)
-The taxpayers of Belmar
If Mayor Bean has to make a decision, he has to appease the following constituencies:
-The taxpayers of Belmar
So, assuming they are both idiots (maybe, maybe not), its a common sense decision who to vote for.
Steve, you do know the election already happened, right?
Yes. I should have said “it should have been a common sense decision who to vote for.” My Bad.
Very curious why walk in’s for mail-in votes? Are they not responsible enough to mail in their ballots if mailing from a legal BELMAR address??
1505 A – is a vacant, unoccupied and unfurnished home accumulated mail in the mailbox. I believe 2 – count them -2 votes came from this address.
It does not seem possible to reason with Snookie and Mike “The Situation”. Who wants to live in a friendly family town? – not them. So logically, they want to live in an unfriendly singles town. Holy Confusion!
Shrugged-Businesses have a right to offer assistance if they so desire….this has nothing to do with a year-round DJ’s-it’s true-Ken Pringle was very much supported by local establishments-ask any long-time resident-and this will be confirmed (when he ran for office)…this is nothing new-what can you be thinking? Post-Sandy we had more people buying properties (homes/businesses) than ever before.can’t you see the town is thriving?…you need some direction-as you are totally off target-and sarcastic as well-BRAVO! By the way, what’s your real name? Why are you afraid to have the courage of your convictions-my point-people using false names know it’s wrong-you would never make these inappropriate comments using your given name..going back to the ’90’s? I’m a 48 year resident-things are better than ever…. Why do you wish to put the town in a bad light? What’s your purpose? Let me guess-you wish to diminish the leadership of Mayor Doherty..always looking for negatives-always pointing fingers-always condemning-look around town…don’t let your negativity continue to blind you-by the way, I was on the campaign trail on a regular basis-there is tremendous support for our town’s prosperity…..commenting on things Mayor Matt has accomplished-didn’t have to bring up myself….get a grip!
Claire refuses to answer the question! Hides under her desk, and answers in misdirection.
DJais will be year round by 2016. Unless lawsuits slow it down. Free drinks year round for the Lt. Mayor Doherty.
Party on party dudes.
Jokes on us. It all about the money $$$. DJais can now sell for a higher price now that they aren’t grandfathered. And Claire still thinks its about Lt. Mayors Doherty’s accomplishments. Does anyone in town want to buy some ocean front property in Arizona?
Claire, Its not you I hide from, its the Mayor. Mayor Bill Luddecke and Council president Frank Sementa. They run the town and are not nice to dissenters.
A lot of people would disagree that Belmar is “better than ever”. Just take a look up and down Main Street. Still lots of vacant storefronts. Still no viable tenant for the Acme location in the plaza. A police friend who lives on 14th ave says there’s still a fair amount of drugs and vagrants. Some of those blocks in the high teens are pretty sketchy. Why? Well, just a guess, but I’m pretty sure nobody in their right mind is going to build a nice house anywhere near the Boathouse, Djais, PKs etc. Definitely not now.
Claire, you’re just coming off as a rah rah. You and your family take a stroll around some of those blocks down by The Belmar Inn and Djais at 10pm on a Saturday night. Then come back and tell us Belmar is “better than ever”. Hopefully you’ll be able to keep a straight face.
We have been residents in this town for over 40 years. My husband grew up here. We raised our son here and our grandkids are always here cause they love Belmar. Think #34 Robin is referring to us. Correct me if I am wrong. We do live in a family friendly town…but also we are a small tourist town also. We need tourists to come here so taxes do not skyrocket. We thrive on that. Also for your information D’Jais has no intention of opening up year round. Get facts straight. The name calling of individuals on this website is just terrible…especially when the person or persons who make the comments don’t even post their own names…it’s either anonymous or some silly name they make up. Now that’s hiding behind a desk! The voters of Belmar have spoken. Now it is time for everyone to work together as one. Stop all of this name calling and move on.
Belmar is a family-friendly town…from Inlet Terrace to about 10th Ave. South of there its a party town.
A few years back, I saw two girls on a porch on 16th ave flash their boobs at a bunch of guys walking down the street.
That’s a party town.
Donna and Bill, you, get your facts straight! DJais recently appeared before the Council to ask for a permanent year round liquor license. Hundreds showed up to protest, three families had counsel and the request was immediately removed from the Council agenda by DJais. Also regarding promoting tourism, yes we need them but not above the quality of life for our residents. Remember the types of tourists the mayor promotes come by the busload and do not go downtown and browse spending money in boutiques and cannot afford to dine at one of our nicer restaurants. Their goal is consuming alcohol as soon as they wake up from their passed out night before. They start all over the next day drinking at the cheapest price available and boy do we accommodate them. It just does not reduce our taxes. No one should be subjected to inadequate police enforcement when these drunken fools all descend upon the town streets a 3am yelling and fighting, with so many problems no one can get a cop to respond to someone urinating on their porch, or breaking off the side mirror of their vehicle. Yes, there WAS residential development that was occurring due to Ken Pringle and careful master planning. But watch it stop now. Our town is scheduled for a tax reassessment and is also part of a pilot program in Monmouth County, one of three municipalities to participate, to assess properties based on the resale value of comparable surrounding house sales something that is done in many other states but will be initially financially devastating to many residents. And all those improvement that were done by Sandy victims some with FEMA help and others just out of pocket represent improvements that will now be taxed higher. A new kitchen is taxed higher than an old kitchen you get it, right? Do you really think it is fair that Silver Lake just installed three (there were two) $250,000 fountains for aeration (baloney previously this was accomplished at a much more inexpensive and successful way) and Lake Como is still flooding. I am sorry you are blinded or misinformed. And do not let me even start on our 40 million dollar debt that is flat on the backs of taxpayers. Wait, time reveals all.
Somebody should volunteer to take Donna, Bill and Claire for a tour around the town of Belmar
Happy Veterans Day to all Belmar’s finest residents
No need to be nasty #41….walked this town many years..everyone has the right to their own opinion…
So done with this topic. There is no end to negativity and name calling. It’s a shame that we all can’t work together to better Belmar. In closing on this topic…we are very happy that we voted the best choice to run our beautiful town of Belmar. Bye,bye
Donna & Bill Kaiser, If Ocean Ave is re-zoned for alcohol sales in 2015, will you be the first to sign the recall of Mayor Doherty petition? It is a yes or no answer. You can give us the reason why afterwards.
#45 The court room would not be big enough for the amount of people that would protest rezoning Ocean ave.
We have plenty of places for everyone to have fun. The bars make plenty of money and We do not need to expand them.
Rezoning or expansion of seasons on Ocean avenue wont happen.
Downtown Belmar would never survive if it had to compete with Ocean ave. Bars and restaurants are the only thing bringing tourist to Main street. Ocean ave is busy enough. #ourtown
We have a 16 year old daughter. We live in Spring Lake Heights. We allow her to bike through the following towns anytime up to 11pm on a summer night…
Manasquan
Sea Girt
Spring Lake
Spring Lake Hts
Avon
Belmar? No way.
Lots of our neighbors feel the exact same way.
The heights is a bit dumpy and Manasquan in the summer is one big frat party – you should be more careful.
By the way- exactly how does one get to avon from the heights, on bike, without going through belmar?
Me smell troll
Shrugged-You sound childish-I did answer the question-sorry you missed it….even more childish is you use a fake name-like a child-I can get away with insulting remarks because my name is not real as it appears-let’s meet somewhere to hash things out-face to face…..no more fake stuff….are you up for that?
Steve-How can you speak so negatvely about Belmar? and Why? What’s you purpose in denouncing our town? I’m fully aware of every neighborhood here in Belmar-I’ll drive around SLH and give you a report-if you don’t like Belmar stay in your town! you have no idea of the character of our beautiful homes, our residents, or our government-sell “bad” someplace else….
Claire, let’s just agree to disagree. Belmar has some good things going for it. But the fact that you refuse to acknowledge that the town has any problems really kills any credibility you might have.
Steve-All towns have issues-I’m former council president-I’m fully aware, through residents, that Belmar has issues…..what town doesn’t?-that’s why there is a council-that’s why the town office staff dispatch Belmar employees to take care of issues/problems-you don’t know me-you don’t know what I stand for-you don’t know what was accomplished while I was on the council-hoe can you say I have no credibility? why are you so quick to judge? I never said we don’t have issues-you have a vivd imagination…..why are you determined to make Belmar look like a “bad” place?-go fix your own town……your message begins politely, then takes a wrong turn…I like being the “rah-rah” girl for Belmar…we need rah-rahs to overturn negative people like you…
I just think we live in a great area, and belmar seems to be one of the few towns going in the wrong direction. I was honestly not aware you had a council position. At least now I understand why you are reacting the way you are.
I’m reacting the way I am because you’re not correct on many topics…going in the wrong direction?? You honestly don’t see the improvements that most peopl are aware of? As mentioned previously………..more people have moved into Belmar in recent years.than in prior years….even after Sandy…the business area is flourishing, and we have many activities for residents of all ages. Also, we have a great police department, residents rave about our DPW Dept, and we receive e-mails from residents on a regular basis about how pleased they are with how things are going-at least that was the case when I was on the council-I’m curious to know what underlying reason you have for constatnly bad-mouthing our town….you don’t reside here…we have programs for handicapped youngsters-that’s going in the wrong direction? We have free lunches for senior residents-held once a month-that’s going in the wrong direction? we have code red and code blue-informing residents of both emergency and non-emeregency situations-we have the Mayor raising money for various town organizations/functions in fun ways like bartending-we -we are a town designated as a healthy town as we are a Mayor’s Welnness Campaign town-we sponsor free skin cancer screenings in the summer in collaboration with the Centra State Medical Center-I could go on and on-you have little information-most of it incorrect-Mayor’s Wellness Campaign is a state initiative…we had our boardwalk back for the summer right after Sandy….we have a Belmar Arts council-Belmar historical Council-Belmar Business Partnership…the mayor has personally seen to the construction of ramps for hadnicapped residents-he organized volunteers to help build the ramps..we have more handicapped parking spaces along our beachfront than any other town in the area-28……other towns in the area have 8 to 10….our ADA committee has, over a number of years, has made Belmar handicapped friendly-we have MOBI mats on several beaches so that people in wheel chairs can get on the sand easily-we involvement youngsters from the Belmar School in local government by having student government days-they paricipate in various aspect of the borough……we recently made water improvements with an area of town that was plagued with brown water for a ver long time…..you have limited knowledge of Belmar..we’re involved with shared services with our towns, bringing in revenue…this is only installment I-as I think of more positives about Belmar I’ll be posting them for you….
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