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Trenton, NJ
Change City

How to Vote in New Jersey’s Elections

Posted on 03/20/25 by Elissa Chudwin, Emily Paulin

En español

Voting at a glance

Voter registration: Most U.S. citizens who live in New Jersey and are at least 17 years old can register to vote online, by mail or in person. Voters must be at least 18 years old on Election Day to vote. 

Mail voting: Any registered voter can request a vote-by-mail ballot without a reason

Early in-person voting: Any registered voter can vote early at any early voting site in their county. Note that early voting sites may differ from your Election Day polling place.

Voting at the polls: Polls are open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Most voters won’t be asked to show their ID unless their information cannot be verified.

Races we’re watching in 2025

The New Jersey governor and all 80 seats in New Jersey’s General Assembly are up for election in 2025. The primaries will be held Tuesday, June 10, and the general election is on Tuesday, November 4. Below are some key dates for the upcoming primaries.

Voter registration 

  • Wednesday, April 16: Deadline to change party affiliation
  • Tuesday, May 20: Deadline to register to vote 

Voting in person 

  • Tuesday, June 3 through Sunday, June 8: Early voting is available. Hours may vary per location, but sites must be open from at least 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.  
  • Tuesday, June 10: Primary Election Day. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voting by mail

  • Tuesday, June 3: Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail 
  • Monday, June 9: Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot in person, by 3 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, June 10: Deadline to submit mail-in ballots
Several States Hold Primary Elections Across The Country
"I Voted" stickers on a table in Hoboken, New Jersey
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Recent changes to voting in New Jersey

  • A law that went into effect in March 2025 extends the in-person early voting period for non-presidential primary elections from three to six days and for presidential primary elections from five to six days. 
  • Another law that went into effect in March 2025 requires county clerks to use an “office block” format on primary election ballots, not a “county lines” (also known as “party lines”) format. The office-block format groups candidates by the office they are running for, listing them in random order.

How to register to vote

  • Online: Use the state’s voter information portal. Include your current and valid New Jersey driver’s license or state-issued identification number. If you do not have a state-issued driver’s license or ID, include the last four digits of your Social Security number and your signature.

The voter registration deadline is 21 days before Election Day. Military and overseas voters have different registration deadlines and instructions.

Party affiliation for New Jersey’s primaries

You must vote the ballot of the party to which you’re affiliated. If you want to change your affiliation, you must do so at least 55 days before a primary election.

Unaffiliated voters can choose a party at their voting location during early voting or on Election Day. Unaffiliated voters who want to vote by mail must declare a party at least seven days before a primary election, which is the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail.

Registering to vote on Election Day

New Jersey does not offer same-day registration.

Check your voter registration status

Use the New Jersey Division of Elections Voter Search tool to determine whether you are registered to vote.

How to request a mail ballot 

  • In person: Pick up, complete and return an application at your county clerk. It must be received by 3 p.m. the day before Election Day.
  • By authorized messenger: If you’re unable to pick up your application for a vote-by-mail ballot, you may request that an authorized messenger deliver it. The person can be a family member or a registered voter in your county. Their name, address and signature must be included at the bottom of your application, along with your signature.

Military and overseas voters have different vote-by-mail ballot deadlines and instructions.

Returning a mail ballot 

Your vote-by-mail ballot includes the ballot itself, an inner envelope with a certificate and a mailing envelope. Complete and sign the certificate, which must remain attached to your inner envelope. After you’ve put your ballot inside, insert your inner envelope into your mailing envelope. You can return your ballot:

  • By mail: Mail your ballot to your county board of elections office. Some counties may offer prepaid postage. Ballots must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day and received on or before the sixth day after Election Day to be counted. Mailed ballots that are not postmarked must be received within 48 hours of the close of polls on Election Day to be counted.
  • In person: Bring your ballot to your board of elections office or an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. A vote-by-mail ballot cannot be returned to your polling place. 
  • By bearer: Another person, called a bearer, may return your vote-by-mail ballot for you. They must have your permission and sign the certification on the mailing envelope in your presence. 

Track the status of your ballot through the Track My Ballot portal.

How to Vote By Mail in NJ - English

Voting in person before Election Day

Early in-person voting using voting machines is available to all New Jersey voters at any of the county’s early voting locations. For primary elections, early voting runs for six days, starting seven days prior to the election. For general elections, early voting runs for nine days, starting ten days prior to the election.

Early voting locations are determined by counties and should become available on the state’s early voting web page or your county board of elections’ website. Hours may vary, but each location must be open from at least 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

If you are registered to vote by mail but want to vote at an in-person early voting location instead, you must opt out of voting by mail by contacting your county clerk. You can check whether you are an active vote-by-mail voter using the Track My Ballot portal.

Voting at the polls on Election Day

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you were in line before the polls close at 8 p.m., you’ll be allowed to vote. Find your polling place using the Polling Place Search Tool.

Voter ID requirements on Election Day

Most voters won’t be asked to show their ID, unless their information cannot be verified. If that’s the case, you may be asked to show identification, such as a New Jersey driver’s license or U.S. military ID, at the polls. 

Without an ID, you may be able to cast a provisional paper ballot.

Voting with a disability

New Jersey offers assistance to voters who cannot use paper ballots, including an accessible vote-by-mail ballot. Contact your county clerk’s office for more information.

The state also offers technology at polling places to assist voters with disabilities, including an audio version of the ballot.

Voters who need assistance filling in their ballot can receive help from either an election official or someone they choose, as long as that person is not an employer or union official.


Editor’s note: This guide was originally published on Jan. 30, 2024, and has been updated with new information.

Elissa Chudwin covers federal and state policy and writes the podcast Today’s Tips from AARP. She previously worked as a digital producer for The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, California, and as an editor for the Advocate magazines in Dallas.

Emily Paulin is a reporter for AARP covering nursing homes, health care, and federal and state policy. Her work has also appeared in Broadsheet, an Australian lifestyle publication.

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