Home > News > 2008 > With Deadline Approaching, Public Advocate Reminds NJ Residents of Voting Registration Procedures, 5/12/08
With Deadline Approaching, Public Advocate Reminds NJ Residents of Voting Registration Procedures, 5/12/08
Tuesday, May 13, is the deadline for eligible New Jersey residents to register to vote in the June 3 primary election. Any voter registrant must be a United States citizen (U.S.-born or naturalized), must be 18 by the primary election, and must have resided in his or her home county in New Jersey for at least 30 days prior to the election. Also, those seeking to register must not be on parole or probation, or serving a sentence for conviction on an indictable offense under any federal or state law. Voter registration forms can be obtained from a municipal clerk, county Commissioner of Registration or the Division of Elections. Commissioner of Registration offices and certain municipal clerks’ offices will hold evening hours and be open from 4pm to 9pm on the day of the registration deadline, May 13, 2008, to accept voter registration applications. Voters should contact their county commissioner of registration or local municipal clerk, for further information. Internet users may download a mail-in registration form by visiting the Division of Elections Web site at www.njelections.org/how-where-register.html. The registration applications downloaded from the website must be mailed to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections in a resident’s home county because original signatures are required. Eligible voters can also register at a Motor Vehicle Commission Agency if they are at an MVC agency for a new or renewal driver’s license or nondriver identification card. Voter registration forms are also available from a number of public agencies listed at the end of the press release. There is no charge to register to vote; it is a free service. POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION Both newly registered voters and voters who have not voted in a primary election before in New Jersey will be eligible to vote in either party’s primary, but must declare their party affiliation at the polls on June 3. Voters already registered as Democrats can only vote in the Democratic primary; similarly, voters already registered as Republicans can only vote in the Republican primary. Cross-over voting is not permitted. The deadline for switching party registration was April 14. Declaring a political party affiliation for the primary does not limit a voter’s choice of candidates in the November general election. FOR VOTERS WHO MOVED RECENTLY Voters who have moved since last voting, but have not notified election officials, are reminded to file a change of address form. Voters who moved within their county without having filed a change of address may be required to complete a provisional ballot or additional paperwork in order to vote. Voters who moved outside of their prior county of residence without filing a change of address or new registration may be denied an opportunity to vote, or may have to travel to their former county of residence in order to vote. All registered voters have the option of voting either in person or by absentee ballot, under legislation that was enacted in 2005. The deadline for mail-in absentee ballot applications is Tuesday, May 27. After that deadline, a voter must apply in person at the county clerk’s office up until 3 p.m. Monday, June 2. LIST OF OTHER VOTER REGISTRATION AGENCIES
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