Voting in New Jersey
Please see also the NJ State website here for information on:

• Who Can Register
• How & Where to Register
• Online Voter Registration
• Voter Rights
• Where to Vote
• Voting Options
• Voter I.D. Requirements
• Online Feedback Forms

Who may register to vote

• A native-born or naturalized U.S. citizen who is:
• 18 years old by election day
• A resident of the state and county at least 30 days before an election
• Not denied right to vote due to either court adjudication of idiocy or insanity
• Not serving a sentence, or on parole or probation for an indictable offense

When to register

One must be registered to vote at least 29 days before the next election.

• By mail: Registration forms are available from your municipal clerk's office, county commissioner of registration (who may be the superintendent of elections), motor vehicle agencies, public assistance offices, libraries and the League of Women Voters of New Jersey.
• Online: on the New Jersey state website
• In person: Register with your municipal clerk or county commissioner of registration

Registration is permanent but you must re-register if you:

• Change your name: You are entitled to vote only in the next election by signing your registration sheet at the polls with both your previous and new name. After that, you must re-register in your new name.
• Change your address: You must re-register. Change-of-address cards are available at the municipal clerk¹s office or county Commissioner of Registration or on the New Jersey state website. If a voter moves within the county after the registration deadline or fails to notify the Commissioner of Registration of a change of address within the county, you may vote in the next election at your new election district after submitting an affidavit to the municipal clerk of the town in which you now reside.

• General Elections: The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November to elect certain, state, county and Municipal officials.
• Primary Elections: The first Tuesday after the first Monday in June to nominate party candidates for the General Election, elect state and county committeemen/women, and delegates and alternates to the national convention in presidential election years.
• School Elections: The third Tuesday in April. These are nonpartisan elections to elect board of education members and to vote on proposed school budgets. In some municipalities the mayor appoints the board of education members and those budgets may be determined by a Board of School Estimate or submitted to voters.
• Special Elections: Held for certain types of referenda.

Sample Ballot

Sample ballots are mailed to all registered voters one week before each election. The sample ballot is verification of your registration; contact your county clerk or Board of Elections if you do not receive one. Sample ballots contain the Following information:

• Location of your polling place
• Hours polls are open
• Public questions (General Election only)
• Offices to be voted on, candidates names, district and municipality
• Operating instructions for the voting machines
• Instructions for how to write-in a candidate

You must vote in person unless you qualify for an absentee ballot.

• Voting machines are used in Englewood Cliffs.
• Operating instructions are printed on the sample ballot and are available at the polls.
• Do not push the "Cast your Vote" button unless you have finished voting.
• In any election you may write-in your own choice for a particular office. Request instructions for how to write-in a candidate from poll workers.
• If you have any problems voting at your polling place, call your county Board of Elections immediately for resolution.

Civilian absentee ballots are available to registered voters who cannot vote in person for the following reasons:

• Expect to be absent from the state on election day
• Illness or disability
• Observance of a religious holiday
• Residing at an educational institution
• Hours and nature of employment

Military absentee ballots are available to registered or unregistered citizens of voting age who are:

• In military service or the spouses or dependents of those in military service
• Civilians attached to the armed forces and their spouses or dependents
• Patients in veterans hospitals

To obtain a civilian absentee ballot, apply by mail that is delivered to the county clerk at least seven days before the election or apply in person by 3 p.m. the day before the election.

• Applications are available in the office of the Municipal Clerk
• The application should include the date of the election, your home address including municipality, address to where ballot should be sent and reason for request. Sign the application with the same signature used at the polls.

After approval of the application, a ballot and instructions will be mailed to your. If application is made in person within the seven-day period before the election, the ballot will be given to you at that time.

• Absentee ballots must reach the county Board of Elections before the close of polls on Election Day.
• If you have applied for an absentee ballot, you may not vote at your polling place for that election, regardless of whether or not you completed the absentee ballot.
• If ill or incapacitated, you may send written authorization with a family member or registered voter within your county to obtain your ballot and return it to the county clerk's office within the above time frame.

To obtain a military absentee ballot, the voter, a relative or friend may apply to your county clerk or municipal clerk. Applications can also be requested from the proper military personnel.

In New Jersey you are not asked to declare a party affiliation when you register to vote.

• Primary Elections: In a primary, you may vote for only one party's ballot. Independent party candidates are not on a primary ballot. When you participate in your first primary, you declare your party at the polls.
• You retain this party affiliation unless you file a party declaration form. If you wish to change affiliation declare, in writing, your party of current choice with your county clerk, commissioner of registration or municipal clerk at least 50 days before the next primary election.
• General Elections: You need not vote a straight party ticket but may select your choice for a particular office from any party¹s candidate (a split ticket). You need not vote for a complete slate.

Responsible for administration of elections is:

• County Board of Elections is comprised of two Democrats and two Republicans, appointed by the governor upon nomination by party officials for a term of two years. The county Board of Elections has overall responsibility for administration of elections in each election district, setting up voting machinery and settling questions related to the election process.
• District Board of Elections is comprised of two Democrats and two Republicans, appointed by the county Board of Elections for a term of one year. The District Board is responsible for the conduct of the election at the polling place.