Jonah Patel
In 2021, New Jersey established in-person early voting, allowing registered voters to cast their ballots in person during a designated voting period before Election Day. This law makes the state more voter-friendly and strengthens democracy by expanding opportunities for eligible voters to exercise their right to vote. Each county in New Jersey will designate a minimum of three to ten voting locations for early in-person voting, depending on its size. These early voting sites will be open during specific hours and days leading up to the election, providing convenience and flexibility for voters who wish to cast their ballots early.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Voting Period | 9 days before the General Election and 6 days before the Primary Election |
| Voting Hours | Monday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. |
| Sunday Hours | 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Voting Location | Any of the early voting locations within the county |
| Voting Method | In-person using a voting machine |
| Ballot Drop-off | Secure ballot drop box, via mail, or in person to the Board of Elections office |
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What You'll Learn
In-person early voting locations
In Middlesex County, for example, registered voters can cast their ballots at any of the designated in-person early voting locations within the county. This flexibility allows voters to choose the most convenient site and time for their schedules.
It's important to note that vote-by-mail ballots cannot be submitted at early voting locations. Instead, voters can return their ballots via secure ballot drop boxes, mail, or in person to their Board of Elections office.
For the upcoming 2023 General Election, New Jersey is committed to providing safe, simple, and secure voting options for eligible voters. This includes ensuring accessibility for voters with disabilities, who have multiple options to cast their ballots.
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Hours of operation
In-person early voting hours in New Jersey vary depending on the day of the week. On Mondays through Saturdays, early voting locations are open from at least 10 am to 8 pm. On Sundays, the polling locations are open from at least 10 am to 6 pm.
For the 2025 Primary Election, in-person early voting locations will be open from Tuesday, June 3, through Sunday, June 8. For the 2025 General Election, they will be open from Saturday, October 25, through Sunday, November 2.
It is important to note that these are the hours for in-person early voting locations. Vote-by-mail ballots cannot be returned to these early voting sites or Election Day polling places. They must be returned via a secure ballot drop box, by mail, or in person to the voter's Board of Elections office.
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Vote-by-mail ballots
In 2021, New Jersey established in-person early voting in the state, allowing registered voters to cast their ballots in person during a designated voting period before Election Day. This law strengthens the state's democracy by providing more opportunities for eligible voters to exercise their right to vote.
While the in-person early voting option is now available in New Jersey, voters can still choose to cast their ballots by mail. To vote by mail in New Jersey, you must follow specific procedures and adhere to important deadlines. Here is a detailed guide on the vote-by-mail process in New Jersey:
Applying for a Mail-in Ballot:
To receive a mail-in ballot, you must submit an application to the County Clerk's office. You can apply for a mail-in ballot by filling out the Civilian Mail-in Ballot Application and submitting it by mail or in person. If you are in the military or an overseas citizen, you may apply using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The deadline for submitting mail-in ballot applications by mail is seven days before the election. However, if you miss this deadline, you can still apply in person or through an authorized messenger until 3 pm on the day before the election.
Receiving and Casting Your Vote-by-Mail Ballot:
Once your application is approved, you will receive your mail-in ballot. Carefully review the instructions and ensure you understand the voting process. When completing your ballot, remember to check all pages and review all offices up for election to ensure you do not cast an "Over Vote." If you lose or damage your ballot or do not receive it, you can request a replacement from the County Clerk's office.
Returning Your Vote-by-Mail Ballot:
There are three ways to return your completed vote-by-mail ballot:
- Mail: Your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county Board of Elections within the specified deadline, typically six days after the close of the polls.
- Secure Ballot Drop Box: You can deposit your ballot in one of your county's authorized secure ballot drop boxes.
- In-Person: You can deliver your ballot to your county Board of Elections office. If someone else is hand-delivering the ballot on your behalf, they must show ID and sign the Bearer Book.
Remember, vote-by-mail ballots cannot be submitted at early voting locations in New Jersey. Always verify the deadlines and requirements for returning your ballot to ensure your vote is counted.
By offering both in-person early voting and vote-by-mail options, New Jersey strives to make the voting process safe, simple, and accessible for all eligible voters.
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Accommodations for voters with disabilities
In 2021, a new law was passed in New Jersey that established in-person early voting in the state. This law makes it more convenient for registered voters to cast their ballots in person, using a voting machine, during a designated voting period before Election Day.
When it comes to accommodations for voters with disabilities, New Jersey offers several options to ensure accessibility. Firstly, each county in New Jersey designates a minimum of 3 to 10 voting locations for early in-person voting. These locations are open from 10 am to 8 pm on Mondays through Saturdays and from 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays. Voters with disabilities can choose the most convenient site and time to cast their ballots.
Additionally, New Jersey allows any registered voter to vote by mail. While this option may not always be accessible to people with disabilities, it is still a viable choice for those who find it suitable. For those who prefer to vote in person, accommodations will be made at the polling places to ensure accessibility. Disability Rights New Jersey, in collaboration with other organizations, has also created "Vote for Access," a video series that advocates for making voting more accessible for people with disabilities. They also offer a free voter hotline to answer any questions that voters with disabilities may have leading up to and on Election Day.
To further enhance accessibility, New Jersey has implemented the "Help America Vote Act of 2002," which actively integrates persons with disabilities into the electoral process. The United Spinal Association has produced a booklet called "Disability Etiquette" to raise awareness about appropriate conduct when interacting with individuals with disabilities. Moreover, a voting accessibility advisory committee has been established to address any inaccessible polling places and ensure that voters with disabilities can fully participate in the electoral process.
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Primary and general elections
In 2021, New Jersey established a law permitting in-person early voting for primary and general elections. This law expands opportunities for registered voters to cast their ballots in person using a voting machine during a designated voting period before Election Day. Each county will designate in-person early voting locations with varying hours of operation. For instance, Middlesex County will have early voting locations open from Tuesday, June 3, through Sunday, June 8, for the 2025 Primary Election. Similarly, for the 2025 General Election, early voting sites will be open from Saturday, October 25, 2025, to Sunday, November 2, 2025, with hours of operation from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
It is important to note that vote-by-mail ballots cannot be returned to in-person early voting locations or Election Day poll locations. Instead, voters can return their ballots via secure ballot drop boxes, mail, or in person to their Board of Elections office.
In the Primary Election, voters can select their preferred candidate(s) representing their registered party. New Jersey recognizes the Democrat and Republican parties. Voters must adhere to the number of candidates permitted for the specific office. For instance, for a Senate position, the ballot may instruct voters to "Vote for One," meaning selecting more than one candidate would disqualify that portion of the ballot.
New Jersey also offers opportunities for community members to get involved in the electoral process by serving as poll workers during primary and general elections.
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Frequently asked questions
An early voting site in New Jersey is a designated location where registered voters can cast their ballots in person using a voting machine during a set period before Election Day.
Early voting sites in New Jersey are typically open for a nine-day period before the General Election and a six-day period before the Primary Election. The specific dates and hours vary for each election. For example, for the 2025 General Election, early voting sites will be open from Saturday, October 25, 2025, to Sunday, November 2, 2025.
Early voting sites are designated by each county in New Jersey. The number of voting locations varies depending on the size of the county, with a minimum of 3 to 10 voting sites per county. You can find your specific early voting sites and their addresses on the New Jersey Voter Information Portal (Vote.NJ.Gov).
All eligible registered voters in New Jersey can participate in early voting. This includes disabled voters, who have multiple options to cast their ballots.
No. Vote-by-mail ballots cannot be returned to early voting sites or Election Day poll locations in New Jersey. You can return your vote-by-mail ballot early via a secure ballot drop box, by mail, or in person to your Board of Elections office.
