2024 NEW JERSEY VOTER GUIDE
1.Voter Registration
Deadline to Register/Update: October 15, 2024
2. Check Your Registration
Why check your registration? Your address is where election officials send notices, application forms to receive your ballot in the mail, and more. Additionally, poll workers will check if the address on your voter registration matches the address on your ID at the polls.
Check/Update Your Registration Online
Checklist:
- Is your name spelled correctly? (Correct hyphenations, middle initials, etc)
- Correct Address
- Active Voter Status (if not update by sending in another online/mail voter application)
- Correct Date of Birth
- Correct Political Party Preference
- Take a time-stamped photograph or screenshot of your registration, and take it with you to the polls as proof of your registration.
3. Voter ID Law
Source: Ballotpedia
New Jersey does not require voters to present identification while voting, in most cases. However, if a voter does not provide valid identification at the time of registration, he or she must show identification at the polling place.
Voters can present the following forms of identification:
- New Jersey driver’s license
- Military or other government ID
- Student or job ID
- Store membership card
- United States Passport,
- Bank statement
- Car registration
- Government check or document
- Non-photo NJ driver’s license
- Rent receipt
- Sample Ballot
- Utility bill
- Any other official document
4. Order Your Absentee Mail Ballot
Deadline to apply for Absentee Mail Ballot: Must be received by October 29, 2024
We recommend requesting your absentee mail ballot as soon as possible and well in advance of this deadline in order to ensure that you receive your ballot in time.
Request Absentee Mail Ballot Online
Click here for a list of Mail Ballot Drop Box Locations: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-secure-drop-boxes.shtml or return it to your County Board of Elections office: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-county-election-officials.shtml
Vote-By-Mail Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-faq.shtml
Deadline to return Absentee Mail Ballot: Must be postmarked by November 5, 2024
Surrendering Your Absentee Ballot:
New Jersey does not have the Surrender Rule. If you are signed up for a mail-in ballot in New Jersey, the poll book has a notation indicating that status. If a voter shows up to vote in-person on Election Day and they are signed up for mail-in ballot voting, they will be forced to vote with a provisional ballot. No exceptions.
Source: https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/vote-provisional-ballot.shtml
You MUST Vote by Provisional Ballot if:
You are a registered voter in the County who moved within the County and did not notify the County Commissioner of Registration before Election Day of your current address; or
- Your registration information is not complete in the poll book, for example your signature or address is missing; or
- You are an Active Need ID voter who has not provided identification information; or
- There is a marking in the poll book that you applied for a mail-in ballot, but you tell the board worker:
- you did not apply for one; or
- you applied for a mail in ballot, but did not receive it; or
- you received it, but did not return it.
5. Early Voting Information
In-person early voting will be available from October 26 – November 3, 2024. Hours will be Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
- In-person early voting locations are posted by county. A list of links is available here:
https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-early-voting.shtml - Each NJ county will hold in-person machine voting. Each county, depending on its size will designate a minimum of 3 to 10 voting locations for early in-person voting purposes. Early voting polling locations will be open from at least 10 am to 8 pm on Mondays through Saturdays, and from at least 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays.
- Top 5 Things to Know about In-Person Early Voting – download flyer here:
https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/flyer-early-voting/2024-11-early-voting-english.pdf
For more information regarding federal, state and local elections contact your state election official online:https://www.state.nj.us/state/index.shtml or contact the office of New Jersey Secretary of State, Tahesha Way 609.777.2581
6. Become a Poll Worker!
Poll workers must be 16 years old or over, and a registered voter (if over 18) in their county.
To sign up, contact your County Election Official: https://nj.gov/state/elections/county-information.shtml