League Launches 'Make a Voting Plan' for Nov. 2 General Election

The League of Women Voters of Northern Valley (LWVNV) wants citizens to be informed and know how to participate in New Jersey's General Election on November 2. The LWVNV encourages voters to fact check information and seek out reliable resources. This election offers multiple options for casting a ballot. The League is working to ensure voters get accurate, nonpartisan election information on its voting resource site, VOTE411.org.

"Voters in the region need to educate themselves about the voting process and exercise their right to vote. Between now and Election Day on November 2, the League of Women Voters of Northern Valley encourages people to review our easy to use voter guide on VOTE411 for information. The voter guide presents responses from candidates running for various offices, including Governor, Senate Assembly, and local races, polling locations, ballot questions, and more," said Joyce Luhrs, Vice President of Marketing, League of Women Voters of Northern Valley.

VOTE411.org

Each year, VOTE411 helps voters nationwide, including young adults and first-time voters, find information about candidates' positions, details about their ballot, polling locations, and other voting details. For nonpartisan election information, voters may visit the League of Women Voters Education Fund's online site, VOTE411.org. This hands-on, accessible site provides details about a voter's registration status; poll locations and times; information about state and local races; details about candidates; analyses of New Jersey's two ballot issues; registration deadlines; voter eligibility requirements; and more.

Online Voter Registration

In New Jersey, eligible voters may register to vote online. The voter registration deadline is October 12. If a voter is already registered to vote, they should check if their voter registration status is correct and active. A voter should reregister if they move, change their name, or completed a sentence of incarceration. People on parole or probation can now register to vote in New Jersey.

For the first time, an in-person early voting period runs from October 23, 2021 through October 31, 2021. During that time, polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and Saturday and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Voters can also apply for and cast a mail-in ballot. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot through the mail is October 26, 2021. The application must be received by the county clerk by this date. Voters can also apply for a mail-in ballot in-person at their county clerk’s office through 3 p.m. on November 1. When voters receive their mail-in ballot, they can return them through the mail, using a secure drop box, or in-person at the Bergen County Board of Elections office. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 2 and ballots returned in-person or to a drop box must be returned by 8 p.m. on November 2.

Voters can also vote in-person on Election Day on November 2 at their polling places. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. All deadlines, early voting polling locations, and Election Day polling locations are available online at Vote411.org.

For voters opting to vote-by-mail, they are encouraged to vote and return their ballots, as soon as possible and to track their ballots using the 'Track My Ballot' tool on the New Jersey Division of Elections website. If a ballot is tentatively rejected because of a signature issue, either the signature does not match or the signature is missing, the issue can be corrected and the ballot can be counted. This process is known as “curing” a ballot. When the ballot is tentatively rejected, the voter will be notified, with a form to complete and send back to "cure" their ballot.

Call League's Voter Protection Hotline

The League of Women Voters of New Jersey (LWVNV) is available to assist voters encountering problems. If you are turned away from the polls, requested a mail-in-ballot and never received it, experience delays at the polls or have questions about casting your ballot in the 2021 General Election, call the LWVNV's voter protection hotline for assistance. Their staff and volunteers will be available to answer your questions and ensure provide information to cast your vote.

Contact 1-800-792-VOTE (8683) any time during the early voting period and on Election Day. When the polls are open, the hotline will be staffed. Questions may also be sent via e-mail.

For further information about the LWVNV, go to the chapter's webpage, or contact by e-mail.