Step-By-Step Early Voting Video, Where To Vote In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Early in-person voting is already underway for the first time in 2021, with six polling places open through Sunday, Oct. 31. (See below for a video on how to use the new voting machines)

The Somerset County Board of Elections is using new ExpressXL voting machines and electronic polling books for early voting and produced a video to help voters navigate the new technology.

"Voting on the new machines during the early voting period will seem familiar, but with added protections such as the electronic poll book and a paper ballot that can be used in future audits," said Board of Elections Administrator Jerry Midgette. "To be sure that early voting goes as smoothly as possible, we produced this video for our voters."

For the video and extensive election information click here. Anyone with election questions can also call the Somerset County Election Hotline at 908-541-5000 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for election assistance or information.

Somerset County’s early voting locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, except Sundays when they will close at 6 p.m. Unlike on Election Day, Nov. 2, Somerset County residents who have not requested a mail-in ballot can vote early at their choice of these six locations:

• Bridgewater - Municipal Court, 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater
• Franklin - Community Center, 505 DeMott Lane, Somerset
• Hillsborough - Municipal Building, 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough
• Montgomery - Municipal Building, 2261 Route 206, Belle Mead
• North Plainfield - North Plainfield Community Center, 614 Greenbrook Road
• Warren - Warren Municipal Court, 44 Mountain Blvd, Warren

The ExpressXL voting machines will only be available during early voting. On Election Day, Nov. 2, the Board of Elections will return to using its previous voting machines. However, the electronic poll books will still be used on Election Day.

While there are three methods for voting this year – mail-in ballot, early voting, or on Election Day – it is important to note that once a vote is cast in any manner it cannot be amended or changed.

Additionally, voters who have requested a mail-in ballot must vote by mail and will not be permitted to vote in person on a machine on Election Day.

Residents who are not currently living at their primary address for any reason including being displaced by Hurricane Ida should reach out to the Somerset County Clerk at 908-231-7013 to provide an address to mail a replacement ballot. For election security, the United States Post Office will not forward mail-in ballots.

Other important dates for this election include:

• Oct. 26 – Last day to apply for mail-in ballot via the US Postal Service
• Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. – Last day to request a mail-in ballot in person at Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter’s office, 20 Grove Street, Somerset County
• Nov. 2 – Election Day polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for in-person voting. Mail-in ballots must be placed in a drop box, presented to the Board of Elections at 20 Grove Street in Somerville, or postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day or they will not be counted.

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