Want To Vote In The 2018 Election? Register Now In Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ - It is almost time to cast your ballot in the November General Election, and Patch is reminding residents of some important deadlines looming.

REGISTRATION? The last day to register to vote or update voter registration is Tuesday, Oct. 16. New Jersey residents can confirm their voter registration record by searching the NJ Division of Elections database of registered voters.

FIRST TIME VOTER? Many people who have never voted are unsure of the voting process at the polls. A guide to the voting process in the Garden State is demonstrated in this step by step informational video produced by the Hall Institute of Public Policy in cooperation with the League of Women Voters of New Jersey.

WHO MAY REGISTER TO VOTE? You are eligible to register to vote if:

• You are a citizen of the United States;
• You are a resident of the State and County at least 30 days before the election;
• You will be 18 years of age on or before the next election;
• You are not incarcerated, on parole or on probation.

WHEN MAY I REGISTER TO VOTE? Anytime; however, in order to vote in an election, your voter registration must be received by the Board of Elections office 21 days prior to the election day. If you move to another town within the County you must update your voter registration with a change of address. If you move out of the County, you must register to vote in the new county.

HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE? You must complete a Voter Registration Application. Under the federal Help America Vote Act, New Jersey residents will be required to provide either the last four digits of their Social Security Number or their complete Driver’s License Number on the Voter Registration Application form.

MUST I DECLARE A PARTY AFFILIATION WHEN I REGISTER TO VOTE? No, only if you wish to declare a party affiliation.

HOW CAN I CONFIRM THAT I AM A REGISTERED VOTER? New Jersey residents can confirm their voter registration record by searching the NJ Division of Elections database of registered voters.

WHERE DO I GO TO VOTE? Registered voters are assigned a specific election district and polling place according to their street address. Your election district and voting location are printed on the face of your Sample Ballot, which is mailed to registered voters before an election. A voters' polling location may also be searched by accessing the New Jersey Division of Elections Polling Place Locator.

MAY I VOTE BY MAIL-IN BALLOT [formerly known as an ABSENTEE BALLOT]? Yes, any voter may vote by a Mail-In Ballot for any election.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A MAIL-IN BALLOT? You must complete a Vote By Mail-In Ballot Application, which can be completed and printed directly from our website. Vote by Mail-In Ballot Application forms are also available in-person at the Chatham Township Clerk’s Office as well as the Chatham Borough Clerk's Office. You may also apply to the Morris County Clerk in-person by 3 p.m. on the day before the election. Once your application is received and approved, the election ballot will be sent to the address indicated on your application.

HOW DO I VOTE BY MAIL-IN BALLOT? Your application for a Mail-In Ballot was approved and the Board of Elections sent you a Mail-In Ballot. You will not be allowed to vote at your polling location. You must vote by Mail-In Ballot. The voter completes the paper ballot, places it inside the white envelope, seals the envelope and completes the required information on the envelope’s flap. Do not detach the flap. Place the completed white envelope inside the brown envelope and mail it or deliver in-person to the County Board of Elections Office. The Board of Elections must receive the voters Mail-In Ballot before the polls close on Election Day.

WHERE CAN I FIND ELECTION RESULTS? Election results are tabulated and recorded by the County Clerk’s Office upon closing of polls on Election Day. The public may view election results as they are reported by election districts to the County Clerk’s Office on Election Day. And of course they will be informed right here on Patch as soon as the results are available. So sign up for our emails and connect with us on social media so you don’t miss a thing.

(Image courtesy of Shutterstock)

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