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New Jersey Citizens' Guide to Government
When to Vote
Sample Ballot
How to Vote
New Jersey Voter's
Bill of Rights
When to Vote by Absentee Ballot
How and Where to Use an Absentee Ballot
Party Affiliation
Conduct of Elections
Voter Registration
Form
Commissioners of
Registration
How the
Electoral College Works
WHEN TO VOTE
(NEXT ELECTION DATES)
- General Elections: The first Tuesday after the first Monday
in November to elect certain national, 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.
- Municipal Elections: Held with the General Election unless
municipality has a nonpartisan form of government. Those elections
are held on the second Tuesday in May.
- 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
HOW TO VOTE
- You must vote in person unless you qualify for an absentee ballot.
- Voting machines, scanners, or electronic punch card devices are
used in New Jersey. Operating instructions are printed on the sample
ballot and are available at the polls.
- 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.
- 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 you have any problems voting at
your polling place, call your County Board of Elections immediately
for resolution.
- If your name is missing from the ledger,
a board member will phone the commissioner
of registration. If you are registered, an emergency voting order
is issued and you may vote. If there are other problems, you may go
to Superior Court, where a judge is sitting (presiding) each election
day. If warranted, the judge can grant a court order permitting you
to vote.
WHEN TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE
BALLOT
Civilian absentee ballots are available to registered voters
who cannot vote in person for any reason.
Military absentee ballots (See Federal
Voting Assistance Program - for U.S. citizens
overseas) 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
HOW AND WHERE TO USE
AN ABSENTEE BALLOT
- To obtain a civilian absentee ballot, apply by mail that is delivered
to the county clerk at least 7 days before the election, apply in
person by 3:00 p.m. the day before the election. Print the
Absentee Ballot Application (PDF) (requires free Adobe Reader)
- The application should include the date of the election, your home
address including municipality, and address to where ballot should
be sent. Sign the application with the same signature used at the
polls.
- After approval of the application, a ballot and instructions will
be mailed to you. 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.
PARTY AFFILIATION
- 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 poll.
- 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 party's candidate
(a split ticket). You need not vote for a complete slate.
CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
The County Board of Elections, comprised of two Democrats
and two Republicans appointed by the Governor for a term of two years,
is responsible for administration of elections in each election district,
setting up voting machinery, and settling questions related to the
election process.
The 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.
The School Board of Elections is appointed by the Board of
Education for each school district. It is responsible for the conduct
of the school election at the polling place.
NO ELECTIONEERING OF ANY SORT IS PERMITTED
WITHIN 100 FEET OF THE OUTSIDE ENTRANCE TO THE POLLING PLACE.
VOTING MACHINES MUST BE PLACED IN FULL VIEW
OF ELECTION BOARD MEMBERS AND CHALLENGERS.
THERE MAY BE CHALLENGERS REPRESENTING CANDIDATES
OR PARTIES.
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