New Jersey Voting Guide

Am I eligible to vote in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, you are eligible to register to vote if:

• You’re a U.S. Citizen
• You’re at least 17 years old (but must be 18 by Election Day)
• You’ve been a resident of any county in New Jersey for at least 30 days

You cannot vote in New Jersey if you are serving a sentence or on probation or parole for a felony conviction. However, if you have recently finished a sentence, including probation and parole, you can register to vote as a new voter.

When is New Jersey’s voter registration deadline?

You must register to vote at least 21 days before Election Day in New Jersey.

How can I check my voter registration status?

The New Jersey Division of Elections website has an online tool for checking your voter registration status. Check your registration record by providing your voter information, such as your first and last name and date of birth.

Where do I go to vote?

You can easily find your polling place using your address in New Jersey. If you can’t find your polling place, contact your County Board of Elections.

Where are my early voting locations?

In-person early voting is available for both the general election and primary elections. Early voting allows all registered voters to vote in the upcoming election. They can cast their ballots in person during the early voting period using a voting machine. With this option, voters can vote at a time that best fits their schedule.

The early voting locations are open:

• Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Voters do not need an appointment to do in-person early voting. There are also voting accommodations available for voters with disabilities.

If you want to vote early, you can vote at your county’s designated voting location or the in-person early voting location listed at the New Jersey Voter Information Portal.

What do I need to bring to the polls in New Jersey?

You do not need to provide your voter ID or identification card if you’ve voted in New Jersey.

If it’s your first time voting in your county, you will need additional identification. You should present an ID to a poll worker at the polling place. The following are some of the acceptable forms of ID:

• New Jersey driver’s license
• U.S. passport
• Military or other government-issued ID
• Student Identification Card
• Employee Identification card
• Store membership card
• Bank statement, car registration, government check or document, rent receipt, sample ballot, utility bill, or any other official document

If you are unable to provide ID, you can vote a provisional ballot. When the poll workers verify your voting information, they count your provisional ballot.

How do I request an absentee ballot in New Jersey?

In July 2009, a state law in New Jersey changed the term from absentee ballot to Vote by Mail ballot. Voting by mail allows any registered voter to ask for a ballot by mail for any reason.

Any registered voter may vote through vote by mail ballot by filling out an application and submitting it to their County Clerk. After the registered voter filled out the application, they can send it back through one of the following ways:

• Mail it back
• Deposit it at a Secure Ballot Drop Box
• Hand it to the County Board of Elections Office

Note that voters should submit their ballot on or before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

For those sent by mail, it should be postmarked on or before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day and received by the Board of Elections office within six days after Election Day. If the voter deposits the ballot in a secure ballot drop box, they should place it by 8:00 p.m. on election day.

For ballots hand-delivered to the county board, voters should deliver them in person by 8:00 p.m. on election day.

What special accommodations are available?

New Jersey offers accommodations at polling places for those with disabilities. All polling locations are accessible. The voter rights and accessibility section of the state’s website has more information about polling places, accessibility checklists, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in New Jersey, and more.

What do I do if I see something illegal at the polls?

Complete the New Jersey voter fraud form if you identify anything concerning or illegal at your polling location. The form lets you start by selecting why you had concerns and document non-compliant polling experiences.

You can also report voting law violations to the U.S. Department of Justice.

If you have other concerns, talk to an attorney in New Jersey who’s experienced in voter law.

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help

Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to protect your voting rights best. Consider consulting with a civil law attorney if you believe your voting rights have been violated.