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The League of Women Voters a nonprofit,
nonpartisan organization whose purpose is to
promote political responsibility |
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New Jersey Citizens' Guide to Government
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
Am I eligible to vote?
How and when do I register?
Will I remain registered even if I fail to vote?
When are elections held?
Where do I vote?
What hours are the polling places open?
How is a polling place operated?
Do I go to the polls on Primary Day?
How do I join a political party?
How do I change my party affiliation?
What if my registration is missing from the ledger at my polling place?
Who may apply for an absentee ballot?
What if I move within the county?
If I have married or changed my name, must I register and vote under my new name?
Can anyone be denied the right to vote?
How can I vote for someone not listed on the ballot?
If I am blind or disabled, may I be assisted in the voting booth?
How long may I stay in the voting booth?
What if the machine breaks down?
Am I allowed time off work to vote?
Am I eligible to vote?If you are a citizen of the United States, will be at least 18 years of age by the date of the next election, are a resident of New Jersey and your county for a minimum of thirty days preceding the election and are registered, then you may vote.
How and when do I register?
To vote in a specific election, you must be registered at least 21 days before that election.
You may register in person with your Municipal Clerk or County Commissioner of Registration (who may be the Superintendent of Elections).
You may also register by mail by obtaining an application from your Municipal Clerk, County Commissioner of Registration, public library, public assistance offices, motor vehicle agency or the League of Women Voters of New Jersey.
Print the New Jersey Voter Registration Application. Will I remain registered even if I fail to vote?
Yes, except if, having moved, you fail to answer a confirmation notice, then do not vote during the period of the next two consecutive federal elections and ignore a second, final notice.
The General Election is always on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Primary Elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in June. Local school elections are held on the third Tuesday in April. Municipalities with a nonpartisan form of government hold their elections on the second Tuesday in May.
Where do I vote?
The location of the voter's polling place is printed on the sample ballot mailed to each voter in the last week before each election.
What hours are the polling places open?
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the General and Primary Elections. Hours may vary for school elections, but are approximately 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
How is a polling place operated?
Locations of polling places are designated by the county board of elections. Each election district has four election board members, two from each major party. It is their job to be sure the voting proceeds smoothly and according to law. Also, there may be challengers representing candidates or parties. The voting machines must be placed in full view of board members and challengers. No electioneering of any sort is permitted within 100 feet of the outside entrance to the polling place.
Do I go to the polls on Primary Day?
If you are enrolled in a political party, you may vote in that party's Primary Election. A "political party" as defined by state law is a party that polled for members of the General Assembly at least 10% of the total vote cast in the state in the last year in which members of the General Assembly were elected. At present, only the Republican and Democratic parties qualify. Independent party candidates are not on a primary ballot. A 3/21/00 Superior Court decision ruled the current practice permitting registration as Democrat, Republican, or Independent as too restrictive. New rules will be forthcoming, but did NOT affect 2000 elections.
If you are not affiliated with either party, you may go to the polls and enroll in either one before voting in the primary.
You do NOT need to vote a straight party ticket.
How do I join a political party?
You can join a political party by voting in a Primary Election or by obtaining and completing a Party Affiliation card from the Commissioner of Registration.
How do I change my party affiliation?
You can change your party affiliation by obtaining a Party Affiliation card from the Commissioner of Registration and filing it, indicating your new choice, with him/her at least 50 days before the Primary Election.
What if my registration is missing from the ledger at my polling place?
The board member at the polling place will telephone the Commissioner of Registration. If you are registered, an emergency voting order is issued. If there are other problems, you may go to Superior Court, where a judge is sitting (presiding) each election day. If it is warranted, the judge can grant a court order permitting you to vote.
Who may apply for an absentee ballot?
Registered voters who cannot vote in person for any reason. Applications can be obtained from your County Clerk, Municipal Clerk or the League of Women Voters of New Jersey.
Print the Absentee Ballot Application from the New Jersey state government website. What if I move within the county?
If a registered voter moves to a new town within the same 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 upcoming election at your NEW election district by obtaining a signed affidavit from the municipal clerk of the town in which you previously resided. Submit this affidavit to the municipal clerk of the town in which you NOW reside, and you may vote.
If I have married or changed my name, must I register and vote under my new name?
You may vote signing both your old and new names at your polling place. Then you must re-register in your new name.
Can anyone be denied the right to vote?
Yes. If you are not registered or no longer live in the election district, you may be challenged at the polls. In addition, if you are serving a sentence or are on parole or probation because of convictions for any indictable offense, you may be challenged.
How can I vote for someone not listed on the ballot?
In any election you may "write in" your own choice for a particular office. Instructions for how to "write in" a candidate are included on your sample ballot. Or you may request instructions for how to "write in" a candidate from poll workers.
If I am blind or disabled, may I be assisted in the voting booth?
Yes, you may be aided by anyone you select or by two election board members of opposite parties.
How long may I stay in the voting booth?
You have two minutes to vote. If you need help, call out and a poll worker will help you. You may change your vote UNTIL you cast your ballot. Opening the curtain or pressing the "cast ballot" button casts your vote.
What if the machine breaks down?
The election board members may issue emergency ballots if the machine is out of service.
Am I allowed time off work to vote?
New Jersey law does not require an employer to grant time off to vote. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for both Primary and General elections.
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