With November 5 right around the corner, New Jerseyans must prepare for the upcoming election and make sure they have met all requirements before casting their votes.
Register to Vote
Before you make it to the polls, you should verify that you are registered to vote in the state of New Jersey. You can verify your registration by entering your name and date of birth on the New Jersey Division of Elections Voter website. The last day to register to vote in the state of New Jersey was October 15th; if you are not registered, you will not be able to vote in the upcoming Presidential Election.
Voting by Mail
New Jerseyans also have the option to cast their vote by mail. If you are a registered voter, you must also request to vote by mail. State residents must complete an application before they can participate in this option.
All applications to vote via mail should have been received by Tuesday, October 29. If you did not send in an application, you are not eligible to vote by mail in the state of New Jersey. However, if you stop by your county clerk’s office and fill out your application in person, you will have until Monday, November 4 by 3 PM to complete it. An authorized messenger–either a family member or registered voter in your county– can also submit your application if you are unable to pick up and fill your application in person.
Your mail-in ballot includes: the ballot and a smaller envelope with a certificate and mailing envelope. You must completely fill out the certificate, which is attached to the inner envelope. When you are ready to return your ballot, you can do so by mail or in-person. If you are mailing your ballot, address it to your local county board of elections office and postmark it by November 5th at 8 PM. The ballot itself must be received by November 11th. You can also bring your ballot in-person to your board of elections office or an official drop box by 8 PM on November 5th. A bearer, a person with your permission to return your ballot, can sign the certificate on the envelope and also submit your mail-in ballot for you.
Early Voting
In NJ, you can also participate in early voting. From Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 3, you can visit your local poll place and cast your vote. Polling places will remain open from 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday, although you should confirm the hours with your local county.
Election Day
On Election Day, you can visit your local polling place from 6 AM to 8 PM. If you are at your local polling place before 8 PM, you will still be able to cast your vote. You can find the closest polling place to you here.
You do not have to show your ID unless you are specifically asked to verify your identity. If you do not have your ID present and are asked to show it, you can cast a provisional paper ballot.
Voting Assistance
All polling places in the state of NJ will provide aid to voters who may need it or are unable to use paper ballots. There will be an audio version of the ballot for those who are hard of hearing. Residents casting their votes can also receive help from an election official who is not an employer or union official at the polling office.
