Voting by mail begins this weekend in New Jersey as the state chooses its next governor in one of the nation’s most closely-watched elections.
Starting Saturday, New Jersey voters can begin sending in their mail-in ballots for the November election. The mail-in ballots can also be dropped off in drop boxes in every county or at county Board of Election offices.
New Jerseyans are selecting candidates in multiple races. In addition to electing a new governor and lieutenant governor, all of the seats in the state Assembly are on the ballot, along with various county and local races.
The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 14. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 28 by mail or Oct. 31 if applying online. Election Day is Nov. 4.
The governor’s race between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli has drawn record interest — and record funding. Both parties are spending large sums in the final weeks before the election.
Public polls show Sherrill leading by single digits, but many independents remain undecided. Polls also indicate Ciattarelli has some advantages among independents who could help decide the race.
Who can vote in the election?
You have to be at least 18 years old to vote in the election.
How do you vote?
There are several ways to cast a ballot.
VOTE-BY-MAIL: Voting by mail starts Sept. 20. Your ballot must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on General Election Day on Nov. 4. It will be received by your county’s Board of Elections on or before six days after Election Day.
You can also return mail-in ballots to one of several drop boxes in your county. Find the locations here.
Or you can deliver your mail-in ballot in person to your county’s Board of Elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find those offices here.
If you want to vote by mail but haven’t applied for or received your ballot, contact your county clerk to request one. Contact information is here.
EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING: You can vote early in person from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Designated early voting locations are located in each county and listed here.
IN-PERSON VOTING ON ELECTION DAY: Traditional in-person voting happens on Election Day.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day on Nov. 4. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you are allowed to vote.
Your polling place is assigned based on your address. Click here and enter your address to find where you vote.
Jelani Gibson
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