How to vote in New Jersey
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- Voter registration deadline (online): 21 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (by mail): Received by 21 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (in person): 21 days before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (online): N/A
- Ballot request deadline (by mail): Received by 7 days before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (by mail): Postmarked by Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (in person): Received by Election Day
New Jersey voter registration guide
- Register to vote (online): 21 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Received by 21 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): 21 days before Election Day
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your New Jersey registration using the New Jersey voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
To register in New Jersey you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be 17 years old to register and 18 years old by Election Day
- be a resident of New Jersey, your county and at your address at least 30 days before the next election
- not be incarcerated for a felony
- not be declared mentally incompetent by a court.
You can register to vote online if you have a New Jersey driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card. If you don't have a NJ-issued ID, you can register to vote using your Social Security Number. If you use your Social Security Number, you'll be asked to sign the screen if you are on a mobile device, or to upload a photo of your signature if you are on a desktop computer.
- Visit the New Jersey online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 21 days before Election Day.
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Enter your New Jersey driver’s license number OR the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you don't have either number, write “NONE” on the form.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: You must register with a party to vote in that party's primaries. If you have never voted in a primary before, you can declare your party affilation at the polls on Election Day. If you are not a first time voter, you will need to submit a Political Party Declaration Form at least 50 days before the primary election. You cannot use the voter registration form to declare your political party.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be received by 21 days before Election Day.
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
- Bring your New Jersey driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and New Jersey address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Voting rights are immediately restored when you are released from prison. You can register to vote on probation or parole.
- You cannot vote while incarcerated.
- You can vote while on parole.
- You can vote while on probation.
- You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
- No financial obligations.
- Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.
New Jersey absentee and mail ballot guide
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): N/A
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 7 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Postmarked by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Any registered New Jersey voter can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
New Jersey does not allow you to request your ballot online.
- Download the New Jersey absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 7 days before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is 1 day before Election Day.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
Track your ballot here: New Jersey absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it, or if your signature does not match the one the state has on file.
- Your local election office will let you know if there are issues.
- You have until the ninth day after Election Day to correct issues with your ballot.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
New Jersey does not have a specific emergency ballot procedure, but you may apply in person for a mail ballot until 3PM 1 day before Election Day.
Dates & Deadlines
New Jersey does not offer emergency ballots.
Contact your local election office
New Jersey early voting guide
- Early voting starts: 10 days before Election Day
- Early voting ends: 2 days before Election Day
Most New Jersey voters do not need to show ID. However, if you did not provide ID when you registered to vote you must show a non-expired photo ID issued by the State of New Jersey or the Federal Government, a student ID issued by an accredited college or university, or a store membership card. If you don't have a photo ID, you can show a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or official government document that shows your name and current address. If you are unable to provide any form of identification you may still vote using a provisional ballot.
New Jersey voter ID guide
Most New Jersey voters do not need to show ID. However, if you did not provide ID when you registered to vote you must show a non-expired photo ID issued by the State of New Jersey or the Federal Government, a student ID issued by an accredited college or university, or a store membership card. If you don't have a photo ID, you can show a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or official government document that shows your name and current address. If you are unable to provide any form of identification you may still vote using a provisional ballot.
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
You can register to vote online if you have a New Jersey driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card. If you don't have a NJ-issued ID, you can register to vote using your Social Security Number. If you use your Social Security Number, you'll be asked to sign the screen if you are on a mobile device, or to upload a photo of your signature if you are on a desktop computer.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for New Jersey elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety Division of Elections PO BOX 304 Trenton, NJ 08625‐0304