New Jersey General Election

If you've voted in New Jersey before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.If you're voting for the first-time in your county, registered to vote by mail, and didn't provide an ID number or copy of ID when you registered, you must show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include: NJ driver's license, with or without a photo US passport military or other government ID student ID employee ID store membership card bank statement, car registration, government check or document, rent receipt, sample ballot, utility bill, or any other official document with your name and addressVoters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.

To register in New Jersey you must: be a United States citizenbe at least 17 years old (you must be at least 18 to vote, except that you may vote in a primary election if you are 17 and will be 18 by the next general election)be a resident of the state of New Jersey and the county in which you register for at least 30 days before the election in which you votenot be serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey or another state or of the United States Watch this video about who can register to vote from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections.

Check that you're registered to vote on New Jersey's website. If you’re not registered: Register online by Oct 13. Your by mail registration form must be postmarked by Oct 13.

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your County Clerk for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your County Clerk may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.Send the application to your County Clerk.It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your County Clerk.If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your County Clerk first. Then: You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your County Clerk.If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in New Jersey. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

This election guide is researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, to inform voters via TurboVote and other partners. The information in these guides originates from official sources. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using New Jersey's voter registration lookup tool.

Beginning January 1, if you are 17 years old and registered to vote, you can vote in a primary election if you will be 18 years old by the next succeeding general election. This is due to a new law in New Jersey. Visit the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections website or contact your County Commissioner of Registration/Superintendent of Elections to learn more.

Use the National Voter Registration FormPrint and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.Box 6 - ID Number: When submitting your application by mail in New Jersey, you are required to provide your New Jersey Driver’s License number or non-driver ID card number issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). If you do not have a New Jersey-issued ID, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, indicate you do not have an ID number and include a copy of ONE of the following with your application: current and valid photo ID or document with your name and current address. If you do not include a copy of acceptable ID with your application, you will need to verify your identity the first time you vote.Box 7 - Choice of Party: If you register to vote in New Jersey and you do not affiliate with any political party, you may declare your party affiliation up to and on Primary Election Day.Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.Sign the form.Send the completed form to your County Commissioner of Registration/Superintendent of Elections.If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes current and valid photo identification OR current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here. If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application at least one week before the registration deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you. Watch this video about by mail registration from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections.