NEW JERSEY

Election Information

Upcoming Elections 

2008 Primary Election: 6/3/08

2008 General Election: 11/4/08 

Registration Deadlines

21 days before an election

Specific Deadlines:

  • 2008 Primary Election: 5/13/08
  • 2008 General Election: 10/13/2008

Where to Obtain Registration Forms

Absentee Voting

Absentee voting is allowed if the voter is:

  • A member of the Armed Forces or a spouse or dependent of a member of the Armed forces
  • A U.S. citizen living overseas who will be at least 18 years of age before the next general election and whose last residence prior to going overseas was in NJ.

Rules and Deadlines

For overseas voters:

  • Absentee ballots can be found with the Division of Elections or the County Clerk and must be requested by the 30th day before the election if the ballot is to be sent by mail or by the 4th day before the election if the ballot is to be sent by fax.
  • Ballot must be returned to the regional election board.
  • Ballot must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.

For non-overseas voters:

  • Absentee ballots can be found with the County Clerk and must be requested by seven days before an election.
  • Ballots must be returned to the County Board of Elections.
  • Voters with disabilities may apply for a ballot through a representative before 3 pm the day before an election.

 

Early Voting

No

Identification Requirements

At registration:

  • Current and valid photo identification or
  • A current utility bill,
  • Bank statement,
  • Government check,
  • Paycheck
  • Other government document that shows the name and address of the elector

 

At Polls, voter will be required to show ID:

  • If voting for the first time in NJ,
  • If registered to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003; and
  • If not previously met the identification requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act.
  • The New Jersey Division of Elections recommends that voters bring identification to the polls just in case verification is requested.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

  • Current and valid photo identification or
  • A current utility bill,
  • Bank statement,
  • Government check,
  • Paycheck
  • Other government document that shows the name and address of the elector

 

How to check registration status

Contact your local Commissioner of Registration Office

How to locate polling place

Check online

Information for felons

Voter is eligible to register upon completion of the sentence, including probation or parole.

For more information, go to the Division of Election’s website.

Recent News

January 24, 2007: Lawyers’ Committee Executive Director Barbara Arnwine wrote to New Jersey Attorney General Stuart Rabner to oppose N.J.S.A. 19:34-15, a proposed directive to limit exit polling. As the legal lead in Election Protection, the Lawyers’ Committee sees first-hand the problems voters encounter on Election Day. Volunteers on the ground assist voters and collect valuable information about problems at the polls. This data is then analyzed and used to help correct problems for future elections. N.J.S.A. 19:34-15 severely limits the ability for non-partisan organizations, like the Lawyers’ Committee and the Election Protection coalition, to gather independent information and aid voters on Election Day.

Read our letter to Attorney General Rabner here