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Nov 3
New Jersey General Election

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This election guide is researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, to inform voters via TurboVote and other partners. The information in these guides originates from official sources. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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Registration Summary

New Jersey offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in New Jersey by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your County Commissioner of Registration/Superintendent of Elections. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

Voting Summary

New Jersey allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. New Jersey offers early voting.

19 days to Election Day!


Register to Vote

Check that you're registered to vote on New Jersey's website.

How can I check the status of my mail ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on New Jersey’s website.

How do election officials keep voting secure?

Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.

Visit the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your County Clerk to learn about opportunities in your area.

How do I vote in person?

Where can I vote on Election Day?

You can look up where to vote on New Jersey's site.

Can I vote early?

  • Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
  • Learn more about voting early in New Jersey.
  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check New Jersey’s site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

If you've voted in New Jersey before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.

If you're voting for the first time in your county, registered to vote by mail, and didn't provide an ID number or copy of ID when you registered, you must show ID to vote. You can show a photo or non-photo ID.

Photo ID must be current and valid. Acceptable forms include:
  • NJ driver's license
  • US passport
  • military or other government ID
  • student ID
  • employee ID
  • store membership card

Non-photo ID must include your name and address. Acceptable forms include:
  • non-photo NJ driver’s license
  • bank statement, car registration, government check or document, rent receipt, sample ballot, utility bill, or any other official document with your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.

Can I register to vote online?

  • New Jersey offers online voter registration.
  • To register online in New Jersey, you need to provide your New Jersey driver’s license number OR non-driver ID card number issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). If you do not have a New Jersey-issued ID, you must provide your Social Security number AND use a device that allows you to sign on-screen or upload your signature. If you don’t have any of the above, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections.

Can I vote early?

Yes, New Jersey does offer early voting.
  • You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.

When can I vote early?

  • You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 24 and Nov 1.

Where can I vote early?

  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check New Jersey's site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

If you've voted in New Jersey before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.

If you're voting for the first time in your county, registered to vote by mail, and didn't provide an ID number or copy of ID when you registered, you must show ID to vote. You can show a photo or non-photo ID.

Photo ID must be current and valid. Acceptable forms include:
  • NJ driver's license
  • US passport
  • military or other government ID
  • student ID
  • employee ID
  • store membership card

Non-photo ID must include your name and address. Acceptable forms include:
  • non-photo NJ driver’s license
  • bank statement, car registration, government check or document, rent receipt, sample ballot, utility bill, or any other official document with your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the New Jersey voter registration form.


Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.

To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:


Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in New Jersey, you must provide your New Jersey driver's license number OR Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) non-driver ID card number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. New Jersey will assign you a unique identification number.

Box 7 - Choice of Party: If you register to vote in New Jersey and you do not affiliate with any political party, you may declare your party affiliation up to and on Primary Election Day.

Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.


If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide proof of identification. Include an acceptable ID number, if you have one, on your application. If you do not have an acceptable ID number, you must instead submit with your application a COPY of identification documentation OR show proof of identification when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
  • You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by mail ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
  • Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your County Commissioner of Registration/Superintendent of Elections.

If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
Watch this video about by mail registration from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections.

How do I vote by mail?

In New Jersey, any registered voter can request to receive a ballot by mail. Request your mail ballot online by Oct 27.

What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?

If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your County Clerk.

How do I return my ballot?

  • Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
  • You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
  • Contact your County Clerk for more information about where to return your ballot in person.
  • If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, be sure to mail your ballot at least one week before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.

What do I need to do if I’ve moved?

What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

What are key deadlines for this election?

Registration deadlines

Absentee ballot deadlines

Voting deadlines

Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?

If you've voted in New Jersey before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.

If you're voting for the first time in your county, registered to vote by mail, and didn't provide an ID number or copy of ID when you registered, you must show ID to vote. You can show a photo or non-photo ID.

Photo ID must be current and valid. Acceptable forms include:
  • NJ driver's license
  • US passport
  • military or other government ID
  • student ID
  • employee ID
  • store membership card

Non-photo ID must include your name and address. Acceptable forms include:
  • non-photo NJ driver’s license
  • bank statement, car registration, government check or document, rent receipt, sample ballot, utility bill, or any other official document with your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.

How do I get help registering to vote?

TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.

Who can register to vote?

To register in New Jersey you must:
  • be a United States citizen
  • be at least 17 years old (you must be at least 18 to vote, except that you may vote in a primary election if you are 17 and will be 18 by the next general election)
  • be a resident of the state of New Jersey and the county in which you register for at least 30 days before the election in which you vote
  • not be serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey or another state or of the United States

Watch this video about who can register to vote from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections.

How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your County Clerk for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
  1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your County Clerk may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
  2. Send the application to your County Clerk.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your County Clerk.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your County Clerk first. Then:
  • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your county election office.
  • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in New Jersey. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using New Jersey's voter registration lookup tool.

How do I contact my state election office?

Which election office should I contact?


How do I contact my local election office?

Visit your state's site to find your County Election Offices.