Voting in New Jersey
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The policies governing voter participation are enacted and enforced primarily at the state level. These policies, which include voter identification requirements, early voting provisions, online voter registration systems, and more, dictate the conditions under which people cast their ballots in their respective states.
This article includes the following information about voting policies in New Jersey:
- Voter registration details, including deadlines and eligibility requirements.
- In-person voting details, including identification requirements, poll times, and early voting provisions.
- Absentee/mail-in voting deadlines and rules.
- Details about voting rules for people convicted of a felony.
- Contact information for election agencies.
Click here for more information about election administration in the state, including voter list maintenance policies, provisional ballot rules, post-election auditing practices, and additional election policy context.
For information on elections happening this year, click here.
Do you have questions about your elections? Looking for information about your local election official? Click here to use U.S. Vote Foundation’s election official lookup tool.
Voter registration
The table below displays voter registration information specific to New Jersey's 2025 election cycle.
Eligibility and registration details
- Check your voter registration status here.
To register to vote in New Jersey, each applicant must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the county in which they are registering for at least 30 days prior to the election. Seventeen-year-olds may register to vote, although they may not vote until they have turned 18. Individuals serving a felony sentence or on probation or parole because of a felony may not register to vote.[1] The voter registration deadline is 21 days before the next election. Registration applications can be downloaded from the state website and mailed to the county commissioner of registration or superintendent of elections.[1] Registration applications are also available at various county offices and state agencies, such as the Division of Elections and Division of Motor Vehicle offices.[2]
In-person voting
The table below displays in-person voting information specific to New Jersey's 2025 election cycle.
Poll times
- See also: State poll opening and closing times
In New Jersey, all polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[3]
Voter identification
- See also: Voter identification laws by state
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.[4]
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
Early voting
- See also: Early voting
New Jersey permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.
Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.
Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.
Absentee/mail-in voting
- See also: Absentee/mail-in voting
The table below displays absentee voting information specific to New Jersey's 2025 election cycle.
All voters are eligible to vote absentee/by mail in New Jersey.[5]
To vote absentee/by mail, an application must be received by election officials at least seven days prior to the election if returned by mail. An application can also be submitted in person to county election officials until 3 p.m. on the day before the election. An application can also be submitted online via the state's online voter registration system. A completed absentee/mail-in ballot must then be postmarked by 8:00 p.m. Election Day and received by the county board of elections by 6 days after the election.[5][6]
Local election officials
Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool. |
Voting rules for people convicted of a felony
In New Jersey, people convicted of a felony automatically regain their voting rights and may re-register to vote once they have completed their prison sentences. On December 18, 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed into law A5823, legislation restoring voting rights to people convicted of a felony once they have completed their prison sentences. The law was scheduled to take effect on March 17, 2020. Previously, state law barred people convicted of a felony from voting until completion of their full sentences, including prison time, probation, and parole.[7][8]
Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[9]
Election administration agencies
Election agencies
- See also: State election agencies
Individuals seeking additional information about election administration in New Jersey can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.
New Jersey County Election Officials
Secretary of State, Elections Division
- Physical Address: 20 West State Street, 5th Floor
- Trenton, New Jersey 08608
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 304
- Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0304
- Phone: 609-292-3760
- Toll free: 1-877-658-6837
- Fax: 609-777-1280
- Email: nj.elections@sos.nj.gov
- Website: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote.shtml
New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission
- Physical Address: 25 S Stockton St, 5th Floor
- Trenton, New Jersey 08608
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 185
- Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0185
- Phone: 609-292-8700
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
- 633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
- Washington, DC 20001
- Phone: 301-563-3919
- Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
- Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
- Website: https://www.eac.gov
Explore election legislation with Ballotpedia
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See also
- State of Election Administration Legislation Reports
- Voter ID in New Jersey
- Election administration in New Jersey
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in New Jersey
Elections in New Jersey
- New Jersey elections, 2025
- New Jersey elections, 2024
- New Jersey elections, 2023
- New Jersey elections, 2022
- New Jersey elections, 2021
- New Jersey elections, 2020
- New Jersey elections, 2019
- New Jersey elections, 2018
- New Jersey elections, 2017
- New Jersey elections, 2016
- New Jersey elections, 2015
- New Jersey elections, 2014
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 New Jersey Division of Elections, “Register to Vote!” accessed August 22, 2024
- ↑ New Jersey Division of Elections, “Where to Register in Person,” accessed August 22, 2024
- ↑ New Jersey Department of State, “Election laws - NJSA - 19:15-2,” accessed August 22, 2024
- ↑ New Jersey Department of State, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed August 22, 2024
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 New Jersey Department of State, "Vote by Mail Applications," accessed April 18, 2023
- ↑ New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections, "Vote-By-Mail," accessed September 27, 2024
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy Signs Bill to Restore Voting Rights to People on Probation and Parole," December 18, 2019
- ↑ NJ.gov, "Voter Restoration Handbook," accessed August 22, 2024
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," April 6, 2023
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