TRENTON, NJ - Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells was joined by Division of Elections Director Robert Giles, NJ Transit Executive Director Richard R. Sarles, Public Advocate Ron Chen and county election officials for voter education and outreach events at Newark Penn Station and the Trenton Transit Center today.  As part of the effort, Vote by Mail applications were distributed as a "seat drop" on NJ Transit morning commuter trains.  Additionally, Division of Elections staff assisted commuters with voter registration and Vote by Mail applications at booths set up in both train stations.

Under the new Vote by Mail law, registered voters may request a mail-in ballot for an upcoming election, and receive mail-in ballots automatically for additional future elections with one application, as an alternative to voting at a polling place on a given election day.  Previously, the option to vote by mail required voters to request an absentee ballot for each election. 

"We realize people have busy work and commuting schedules and other family responsibilities that can make it difficult to get to their polling place on an election day," said Secretary Nina Mitchell Wells. "Therefore, we are spreading the message that there is a new convenient alternative to exercise our most fundamental right as Americans and vote using a mail-in ballot."

Division of Elections Director Robert Giles noted, "Interested residents who have not yet registered to vote have just a few days left to do so.  The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, October 13, 2009, for the upcoming election on November 3.  Voter registration forms are available from your County Commissioner of Registration or Municipal Clerk, and may also be found on the Division of Elections website."

To download a voter registration form visit: http://www.njelections.org/voter-registration-application.html.

New Jersey registered voters interested in using the new Vote by Mail option can also visit the Division of Elections' website (www.njelections.org) to print out an application in English or Spanish.  On the application, voters will select the upcoming election they wish to vote by mail. 

In addition, there are two options to receive future mail-in ballots automatically.   By selecting Option A, the voter will automatically receive mail-in ballots for all elections for the remainder of the calendar year.  Voters choosing Option A must renew their request each calendar year to continue to receive mail-in ballots automatically.

By selecting Option B, the voter will automatically receive a mail-in ballot for all future November General Elections. Voters may choose either Option A or B, or both options, to receive future mail-in ballots automatically.

Once completed and signed, the application can be mailed to the County Clerk.  The mailed application must be received by the County Clerk no later than seven days prior to an election day in order to receive the ballot by mail. Alternatively, a registered voter may complete an application to receive a ballot in person at the office of the County Clerk until 3:00 p.m. the day before the election.

The County Clerk cannot accept faxed or emailed copies of a Vote by Mail Application, with the exception of Military or Overseas Voters, since an original signature is required. A list of County Clerk addresses statewide is available on the Division's website.

For information on all statewide election matters in New Jersey, visit http://www.njelections.org/

or call 877-NJVOTER. To learn more about the diverse array of services and programs offered by the Department of State, visit www.state.nj.us/state.