(Trenton, NJ) - New Jersey Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells reminds citizens and candidates of upcoming deadlines and voter information ahead of the state's June 2 primary election.

The deadline to register to vote in the June 2 primary election is May 12.

"Ensuring the smoothest, most transparent and progressive elections process statewide is an ongoing effort, and one that never rests," noted Secretary Wells. "All interested parties - unregistered voters, registered voters unaware of deadlines to the candidates themselves - must know we're doing everything possible to spread critical elections-related information far and wide; that's exactly why we're here today."

Independent Petition Filing Deadline

Independent candidates - i.e. those  unaffiliated with either the Democratic or Republican parties - for the office of governor, all state Assembly seats and the two state Senate seats vacated after the 2008 general election must file their petitions for the general election by 4:00 p.m. on primary election day, June 2. The petition filing deadline is followed immediately by a four business day challenge period when any objections to nomination petitions can be filed. The close of the challenge period will be 4 p.m. on Monday, June 8.  Lists of primary election candidates can be found on the Division of Elections website at www.NJElections.org.  

 Vote by Mail Using Absentee Ballot

Registered voters may choose to vote by mail using an absentee ballot as a convenient alternative to visiting a polling place in the June 2 primary election.  An overview of the process, as well as the downloadable application, can be obtained by visiting www.NJElections.org.

"Under New Jersey law, registered voters do not need to be out of state on primary election day to use the absentee ballot, nor do they need to provide a reason for requesting one," added Secretary Wells. "We realize people have busy schedules, and this provides the easiest, most convenient way possible to participate in the democratic process and to make your voice heard."

Once completed and signed, the absentee ballot application can be mailed to the county clerk up to seven days prior to the June 2 primary election. A registered voter may also apply in person to the county clerk until 3:00 p.m. the day before the election. The county clerk can only accept faxed and emailed copies of an absentee ballot application from military voters and qualified overseas voters. A list of county clerk addresses is also available on the Division of Elections website.

For up-to-date listings of candidates, as well as information on statewide election matters in New Jersey, visit www.NJElections.org.

To learn more about the diverse array of services and programs offered by the Department of State, visit www.state.nj.us/state.