How to Vote in New Jersey's 2024 Elections

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• Last day to register: Tuesday, Oct. 15
• First day of early voting: Saturday, Oct. 26
• Last day to return ballot request by mail: Tuesday, Oct. 29
• Last day of early voting: Sunday, Nov. 3
• Last day to return ballot request in person: Monday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m.
• General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5

Voters in the 10th Congressional District — which includes portions of Essex, Hudson and Union counties — can cast their ballots in a special primary election on Tuesday, July 16, and a special general election on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

The special election will fill the vacancy created by the death of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. The winner will serve out the remainder of Payne’s term.

For the special primary election, the registration deadline is Tuesday, June 25.

You must vote the ballot of the party of which you’re affiliated. Unaffiliated voters (who haven’t declared a party) can choose a party at their polling place on Election Day.

Vote-by-mail applications mailed to your county clerk must be received by Tuesday, July 9, for the special primary election. You can apply in person for a mail ballot until 3 p.m. on Monday, July 15.

Early voting for the special primary election will take place from Friday, July 12, through Sunday, July 14. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the special primary election day (Tuesday, July 16).

Contact your county elections official for more information.

• Voter registration: Check your registration status using the New Jersey Division of Elections voter search tool.

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

• Early in-person voting: Vote early at your local election office or another early voting site from Saturday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 3.

• Voting at the polls: 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.

The deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 15. Register online, by mail or in person:

• Online: Use the state’s voter information portal to register. 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.

• By mail: Print and complete a voter registration form specific to your county, then mail it to your county elections official in the preaddressed envelope attached to the form. Your application must be postmarked by the deadline (Tuesday, Oct. 15).

• In person: Register at your county commissioner of registration or superintendent of elections office.

Military and overseas voters have different registration deadlines and instructions.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

New Jersey does not offer same-day registration.

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

Any registered voter can request a vote-by-mail ballot — either by mail, in person or via an authorized messenger.

• By mail: Download, print and complete your county’s vote-by-mail application. Or contact your clerk and request that an application be mailed to you. Mail your completed application to your county clerk; it must be received by Tuesday, Oct. 29.

• In person: Pick up, complete and return an application at your county clerk’s office. It must be received by 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4.

• 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.

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.

Return your ballot:

• By mail: Mail your ballot to your county board of elections office. Some counties may offer prepaid postage. Your ballot must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5) and received by Nov. 11.

• In person: Bring your ballot to your board of elections office or an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

• 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.

A vote-by-mail ballot cannot be returned to your polling place. Track the status of your ballot through the Track My Ballot portal.

Early in-person voting runs from Saturday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 3. 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.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5). If you were in line before the polls close at 8 p.m., you’ll still be allowed to vote. Find your polling place using the Polling Place Search Tool.

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.

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 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 an editor for the Advocate magazines in Dallas.

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