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FAQ's (frequently asked questions)
Q: Can I register to vote? Answer: You can vote if you're a U.S. citizen or a naturalized U.S. citizen. You must be 18 years old by Election Day and have lived in the state and county at least 30 days before the election. You must not be serving a sentence, be on parole or probation for an indictable offense, or be denied the right to vote by a court order. Q: Where can I get a voter registration form? Answer: • From any municipal clerk in a local government office • Passaic County commissioners of registration or county superintendents of elections • Motor vehicle agencies • Most libraries • Public assistance offices Q: What's the deadline to register, so I can vote in the next election? Answer: You have to be registered at least 29 days before the election in which you wish to vote. Q: What if I'm a registered voter and I move? Answer: You must re-register by filling out a change-of-address card, which you can get from any municipal or county clerk's office. If you move within your county after the registration deadline or you haven't filed a change-of address card, you may vote in the next election at your new election district if you submit an affidavit to the municipal clerk in the town where you now live. Q: I'm changing my name. What do I do? Answer: You have to register again, but you are given one grace election, where you can sign your registration sheet at the polls with both your old and new names. Q: When are elections held? Answer: General Election: first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Primary Election: first Tuesday after the first Monday in June. Municipal Election: same time as the General Election, unless the municipality has a nonpartisan form of government, then the second Tuesday in May. School Election: third Tuesday in April. Special Elections: as called Q: Where are elections held? Answer: School, primary and general elections are held at your designated polling place as indicated by the numbers 01 through 04 which appear on the sample ballot that is received through the mail. Districts #01 and #02 are stationed at the caferteria on the 10th Street side of the Prospect Park Elementary School #1. Districts #03 and #04 are stationed nearby at the Municipal Building at 106 Brown Avenue. Voters MUST only vote in the district where they currently reside. Q: Can I vote absentee? Answer: You can, if you're registered and… • expect to be outside of New Jersey on election day • you’re sick or disabled • you’re observing a religious holiday • you live at an educational institution • you can’t vote because of the hours and nature of your job Q: How does an Absentee Ballot work? Answer: First you file an application for an Absentee Ballot. These are available where you find voter registration forms (see above). If sent by mail, your application must be received by the County Clerk at least seven days before the election if you apply in person, you must do so by 3 pm the day before the election. After you’ve applied for an Absentee Ballot and your application is approved, you will receive a paper ballot, which must be returned to your County Board of Election before the polls close on election day. Once you’ve applied for an Absentee Ballot, you may not vote at your regular polling place for that election. Q: What if I get sick on Election Day and can't vote? Answer: You can send written authorization with a family member or registered voter in your county to pick up your ballot. Once you've voted, you must return it to the county clerk’s office before the close of polls on Election Day. Q: Can I vote in a Primary Election? Answer: In New Jersey, you must have declared a party affiliation to vote. Once done, you can vote only for candidates in the party of your declaration. Independent party candidates are not on primary ballots. When you vote in your first primary, you declare your party at the polls. Q: How do I change parties? Answer: File a party declaration form, available where you find voter registration forms (see above), at least 50 days before the next Primary Election. You can vote for any candidates in any party in General Elections, regardless of your party affiliation. Only in Primary Elections must you vote for candidates in the party you've declared as your affiliation. Q: Can I register or vote online or by phone? Answer: New Jersey has no provision for voting or registering online or by phone. |