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Eagleton Institute of Politics
Eagleton Institute of Politics

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Voter Information


So you want to vote?

Follow our step-to-step guide to help you vote on Election Day!

Are you eligible to vote? 
  • You are eligible to vote if:
    • You are a citizen of the United States
    • You will be 18 years old at the time of the next election
    • You have been a resident of the country for 30 days before the election
  • You are NOT eligible to vote if:
    • You are serving a sentence or are on parole or probation, as a result of a conviction of an indictable offense under state or federal law.
    • However, if you are no longer serving a sentence and are no longer on parole or probation, you can vote by completing a new voter registration form

Are you registered to vote?
  • You can find out if you are registered to vote by contacting your local county clerk’s office
    • Middlesex County Clerk:
      Elaine M. Flynn, County Clerk
      75 Bayard Street, PO Box 1110
      County Clerk, 4th Floor
      (732) 745-3827
      countyclerk@co.middlesex.nj.us

Where can I get a voter registration form?
  • You can also register in person at:
    • Motor Vehicle Agencies
    • Public Assistance Offices
    • Your local library
    • Division of  Elections
    • Municipal Clerk
    • County Commissioner of Registration in your county

Where do I send the voter registration form?
  • You can mail your registration form to:
    • The Division of Elections in Trenton or,
    • The County Commissioner of Registration/Superintendent of Elections in your county
  • You can also drop of your registration form to:
    • Your local city clerk:
      Daniel A. Torrisi, Clerk
      78 Bayard Street
      New Brunswick, NJ 08901
      tel: 732.745.5040
      fax: 732.745.5009

What elections are coming up and when is the registration deadline?
  • Important Election Dates for 2011:

November 8

United States Elections

Off-year

To view a complete 2011 election calendar, go to

 


How do I vote by mail-in ballot?
  • Starting 2009, any voter can vote by mail, in any election. Simply fill out the application and mail to the County Clerk’s office.
  • To view the application by county and in various languages, go to: www.state.nj.us/state/elections/mail-in_doe.html
  • To receive your ballot by mail, the application must be received by the County Clerk 7 days prior to the election.
  • You may also apply in person to the County Clerk until 3:00 p.m., the day before the election.
  • NOTE: The County Clerk cannot accept faxed or emailed copies of Application for Vote by Mail Ballot, unless you are a Military or Overseas Voter, since an original signature is required.

 
Where can I get more information on the candidates?
  • To find out who is running and to find more information about the candidates, visit: www.njvoterinfo.org/
 
Where is my polling place?  
What should I bring to the polling place when I go to vote?
  • You are required to show ID at the polls if:
    • You are registered to vote by mail in your county after January 1st, 2003, and never voted in a federal election in the county
    • If you did not provide identification  to the county commissioner, or if the identification information could not be verified (for example, if your driver’s license number or the last four digits of your social security number), you must show identification at the polling place when you go to vote
  • Forms of appropriate ID include:
    • Driver’s license
    • Student or job ID
    • Military ID
    • Government ID
    • Store membership ID
    • Unites States Passport
    • Bank statement
    • Car registration
    • Government check or document
    • Non-photo driver’s license
    • Rent receipt
    • Sample ballot
    • Utility bill
    • Any other official document
  • If you do not show identification:
    • You cannot vote using the voting machine, but you can fill out a provisional ballot
    • If you vote by provisional ballot, you have until the close of business on the second day after the election to provide identification to your country clerk’s office
  • You should always bring identification with you to the polling place in case you need it
 
Other election resources: