Resources

Voting Rights Resources

The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General protects the right to vote for all eligible voters.  The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and no eligible voter should be denied their right to cast a ballot.  We have compiled a list of resources to help you understand your rights under the law.

KEY DATES FOR NJ VOTERS

 

Commencement of Mailing of Mail-In Ballots for General Election September 23
Voter Registration Deadline for General Election October 17
Early Voting Period October 28 – November 5
Deadline to apply for a Mail-In Ballot by Mail for General Election October 31
Deadline for In-Person Mail-In Ballot Applications for General Election November 6 – by 3:00 p.m.
General Election Day November 7
Deadline for Post Office Receipt of Mail-In Ballots from the General Election November 7
Deadline for Receipt of Timely Mailed Postmarked Mail-In Ballots to County Boards of Election November 13

 

Questions or Problems Voting?

Any person who has voting questions, who believes their right to vote has been subject to interference, or who wishes to report other voting-related problems or concerns can call the State’s Voter Information and Assistance line toll-free at 1-877-NJVOTER.  Your information may be shared with the Board of Elections for your county or the State to troubleshoot your complaint, if necessary. Members of the public may also direct election-related questions to their County Superintendent of Elections and County Board of Elections.

If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination or harassment in the course of exercising your right to vote, you can file a report with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights through the NJ BIAS online portal, available at https://bias.njcivilrights.gov, or by calling 1-800-277-BIAS (1-800-277-2427). Depending on their urgency, complaints regarding possible discrimination or harassment filed with the Division on Civil Rights may be addressed during the election or after the election.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Can I Vote in New Jersey?

There are three ways to vote in the upcoming General Election: (1) Vote by mail ballot; (2) Vote early in-person; or (3) Vote in person at your polling place on Election Day.  For more information on the requirements for each, please visit the New Jersey Voter Information Portal.

Where Can I Find My Election Day Polling Place?

Your Polling Location information can be found using the New Jersey Division of Elections’ Polling Place Search Tool.

Am I Registered to Vote?

Your voter registration record can be found using the New Jersey Division of Elections’ voter registration lookup tool.

How Can I Track the Progress of My Vote-By-Mail Ballot?

Once you have voted, you can track your ballot using the New Jersey Division of Elections’ Track My Ballot tool.

Do I Need To Show Photo Identification In Order to Vote In Person?

Under New Jersey law, you are not generally required to present photo identification before voting. However, if you did not provide identification (such as a driver’s license number, non-driver identification number, or the last four digits of your social security number) when you registered to vote, or the county commissioner was unable to verify your identification information, you must show some form of identification at the polling place when you go to vote.  This does not need to be a photo ID.  Acceptable forms of ID include but are not limited to any current and valid photo ID (such as a New Jersey driver’s license, military or government ID, student or job ID, store membership card, or US passport), or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, car registration, government check, rent recent receipt or other official document that contains the name and address of the voter.

If you don’t have one of those forms of identification, you may still cast a provisional ballot.  However, you must submit a copy of your ID to your county board of elections before the close of business on the second day after the election for your ballot to be counted.  For the 2022 general election, this means you must submit a copy of your ID to your county board of elections before the close of business on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

How Can I Request Disability Accommodations?

If you have a disability, you may have someone (such as friend or relative) assist you in voting.  Voters with disabilities also have the right to use an accessible voting machine and the right to an accessible polling place, unless the Attorney General declares a state of emergency or grants a temporary waiver.

You may also request reasonable accommodations at your polling location.  A poll worker must provide you with reasonable accommodations unless doing so would pose an undue burden to the polling location’s operations. What constitutes a reasonable accommodation will typically depend on the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible reasonable accommodations might, depending on the particular situation, include having a chair, having someone else stand in line for you, or moving to the front of the line if you cannot stand for long periods.  If you believe you have not received reasonable accommodations, contact the State hotline at 1-877-NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837), or report the issue to the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights by filing a complaint on the NJBIAS portal or calling the NJBIAS Hotline at 1-800-277-BIAS (2427).

Is Voter Intimidation Illegal?

Yes.  We encourage you to report any instances of voter intimidation to the State hotline immediately at 1-877-NJVOTER (1-877-658-6837). The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office takes any claim of voter intimidation extremely seriously, and New Jersey has strong protections in place against voter intimidation.

New Jersey law makes it a crime to knowingly and willfully intimidate or threaten another person from voting, attempting to vote, or urging or aiding another person to vote or attempt to vote. The law also makes it a crime to use or threaten the use of force or violence to induce someone to vote or not to vote. The following may be possible examples of voter intimidation.

  • Individuals or groups waiting outside polling places and trying to scare people out of the voting line;
  • Individuals standing in unauthorized areas near voting booths and video recording or photographing voters in the polling place;
  • Individuals following or harassing voters in the polling place;
  • Individuals threatening violence or harm to voters inside or outside a polling place;
What Restrictions Apply Near Polling Places?

It is a criminal offense to solicit or electioneer voters within a “protective zone” as they enter or exit a polling location.  The “protective zone” extends 100 feet from the outside entrance of any polling site.  Attempts to interfere with voters within this zone are usually handled by law enforcement officers from the appropriate agency.

Other Frequently Asked Questions?

The NJ Voter Information Portal, maintained by the New Jersey Division of Elections, has answers to a number of other frequently asked questions.

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