New Jersey | Voting Guide
Registration Deadlines and Election Dates
Voter Registration Deadline: 21 days before Election Day
2020
Statewide and Presidential Primary Election Registration Deadline: June 16
Statewide and Presidential Primary Election: July 7
General Election Registration Deadline: October 13
General Election: November 3
Official Election Websites
More election information at www.njelections.org
Register at School or Home
Students have a choice about where to register to vote.
Students attending college may register at their campus address or choose to remain registered or register at their permanent or home address.
You may only be registered and vote in one location.
What Type of ID Do I Need to Register?
New Jersey’s voter registration form asks for your New Jersey driver’s license or ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Be sure to provide one of these numbers if you have it.
What Type of ID Do I Need to Vote?
Most New Jersey voters do not need to show ID at the polls in order to vote. However, if you are a first-time voter who registered to vote by mail without providing either your New Jersey driver’s license number, non-driver ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number, you will need to show valid ID before voting. Acceptable forms of ID include:
A New Jersey driver’s license or other state-issued ID;
A U.S. passport;
A military or other government ID;
A student or job ID;
A store membership card (like a Costco card); or
A bank statement, paycheck, car registration, rent receipt, sample ballot, government document, or utility bill.
Where Do I Vote?
Make a plan. Look up your voting site and hours at: https://voter.njsvrs.com
How Can I Vote?
By Mail
All New Jersey voters may vote by mail. An application is available online at: https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/vote-by-mail.shtml
If you submit your application to vote by mail to your county clerk by mail, the county clerk must receive it seven days before Election Day
A voter may also apply in person to the county clerk until 3:00 p.m. the day before the election
The ballot must be postmarked no later than the day of the election, and the County Board of Election must receive it no later than 48 hours after the close of polls on the day of the election
Early In-Person
If you return your mail-in ballot in person, it must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.
Voters submitting mail-in ballots in person must provide proof of identity. Acceptable forms of ID include a New Jersey driver’s license or other official ID issued by the federal government, state, or a state subdivision that carries the voter’s full address and signature.
Election Day
Voting sites will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you are in line by the closing time then you have a right to vote.
Common Questions/Concerns
Registering to Vote Does Not Affect Your:
Federal Financial Aid
Where you register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans, or your dependency status for FAFSA.
Status as a Dependent on Your Parents’ Taxes
Being registered to vote at a different address from your parents does not prevent them from claiming you as a dependent on their taxes.
Tuition Status
Being deemed out-of-state for tuition purposes does not prevent you from choosing to register to vote in your campus community.
Will registering to vote in New Jersey affect my driver’s license or car registration?
Registering to vote in New Jersey may require you to update your driver’s licenses and car registration. For more information, contact the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
Fair Elections Center and Campus Vote Project intend the information contained herein to be used only as a general guide. This document should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a licensed new Jersey legal professional.
Last updated May 2020
