NJ Election Changes In 2021: Early Voting, Vote By Mail

NEW JERSEY — Garden State residents will be heading to the polls next month, and officials across all counties have prepared for yet another year of voting with the pandemic in mind. But while many New Jerseyans opted for mail-in ballots last year, this year's election brings a few important changes.

The biggest change to the election arena this year is in the realm of early voting. New Jersey passed legislation in March to enact in-person, early voting available throughout the state for the general election. Read More Here: Gov. Murphy Signs New Law Expanding Voting Access In New Jersey

The legislation marked New Jersey becoming the 25th state in the country to allow voters to cast ballots before elections for a period that includes a weekend day.

In-Person Early Voting

The state will see early voting for the general election from Oct. 23 to 31 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Early voting is an opportunity for those who haven't requested a mail-in ballot before Election Day. The new option will use electronic poll books and new voting machines to provide voters with access to their ballot at various locations.

Those who participate in early voting won’t be allowed to send a mail-in ballot or vote in-person on Election Day.

Each county will have nine days of early, in-person voting and depending on its size, will designate a minimum of three to 10 voting locations for this purposes.

You can find the early voting poll locations across all counties here.

Vote-By-Mail Ballot

The vote-by-mail option was extremely popular last year, during the pandemic. Even in the primaries held in June, many state voters preferred this method. County officials have already sent out mail-in ballots to voters who automatically get one each year, or those who have requested one.

If you received your mail-in ballot and plan to use it again this year, here’s what to do:

• Mail: Your mail-in ballot must be postmarked on or before 8 p.m. Nov. 2 and be received by your county’s Board of Elections on or before Nov. 8.
• Secure Ballot Drop Box: Place it in one of the county’s secure ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. on Nov. 2. Dropbox locations can be found at Vote.NJ.Gov.
• Board of Elections Office: Voters can also deliver it in-person to their county’s Board of Elections Office by 8 p.m. on Nov. 2. County Election Officials’ contact information can be found at Vote.NJ.Gov.

However, there’s one change – the vote-by-mail ballots cannot be returned to your polling place for this election, according to the New Jersey Voter Information Portal.

In-Person Voting on Election Day

Voters will also have the option of going to the polls on Election Day. Registered voters can go to their polling place, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and cast their ballots. The state has made accommodations for voters with disabilities.

To find your polling place, visit Vote.NJ.Gov.

Provisional Ballot

A voter whose eligibility to vote cannot be confirmed at the polls on Election Day or if they have applied for a vote-by-mail ballot, can cast a provisional ballot. After the election, it is determined that the voter who cast the provisional ballot was eligible to vote, their ballot will be counted.

Registration

Last year, Murphy signed online voter registration into law.

As Murphy signed the bill, he also advocated for same-day voter registration and allowing 17-year-olds to vote "allowing 17-year-olds to register and vote in our primaries if they turn 18 by the General Election."

To register in New Jersey, you must be:

• A United States citizen

• At least 17 years old, though you may not vote until you have reached the age of 18

• A resident of the county for 30 days before the election

• A person not serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under the laws of this or another state or of the United States.

• The registrant must complete a Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form. Mail or deliver the Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections for your county.

You are not eligible to register to vote if:

• You are serving a sentence of incarceration as a result of a conviction of an indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey or another state or of the United States.

• The registration deadline to vote in the next election is 21 days prior to Election Day.

Registering to vote in New Jersey is quite simple. To learn more, visit the New Jersey Division of Elections website.

You can also register to vote directly on National Voter Registration Day's website.

Important Dates:

Oct. 12

• Voter Registration Deadline for General Election

Oct. 20

• Mailing of Sample Ballots for General Election

Oct. 23 - Oct. 31

• Early Voting Period

Oct. 26

• Deadline to apply for a Mail-In Ballot by Mail for General Election

Oct. 29

• Deadline for Application to Receive General Election Mail-In Ballots by Electronic Means for Qualified Overseas Civilian and Military Voters

Nov. 1 – by 3:00 p.m.

• Deadline for In-Person Mail-In Ballot Applications for General Election

• Publication of Challenge and Complaint Procedures for General Election by County Boards of Election

Nov. 2

• General Election: Polls Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Deadline for Post Office Receipt of Mail-In Ballots from the General Election

• Deadline for in Person Submission of General Election Mail-In Ballots to County Boards of Election

With reporting from Patch staff.

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