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The Hon. Tahesha Way, Lt. Governor and Secretary of State

New Jersey Voter Information Portal

Department of State, Division of Elections

Important Notice: Number of Petition Signatures Amended

As a result of the passing of P.L. 2025, c. 20, the number of signatures required on a nominating petition have changed. The new number signatures that are required for a nominating petition will take effect immediately. Further, “[a]ny petition signatures collected by a candidate for office to be voted for at the 2025 primary election utilizing the petition forms published by the Secretary of State prior to the effective date of P.L. 2025, c. 20 . . . shall not be subject to a petition challenge based upon the use of a form published by the Secretary of State prior to the effective date of P.L. 2025, c. 20.”

The new number of signatures required for a General Election candidate for the Office of Governor is 2,000. For the Office of General Assembly, the new required number is 250.

The 2025 Petitions have been amended and are available for download. Please use the link below to download them:
Download Petitions

Important Notice: 2025 Primary Election Rescheduled

The 2025 Primary Election has been rescheduled. Please view the official notice for further details.

Challenging a Candidate's Petition

Individuals can request copies of a petition by completing an OPRA request.

Page Last Updated: 03/31/25

 

General Election

Who Can File a Challenge?

Any individual may file a challenge.
Procedure for Filing a Challenge?

Objections must be based on the statutory requirements in N.J.S.A. Title 19 for petitions.

Objections must specify in detail each individual defect.

Objectors should retain a copy of their challenges.

Objectors must provide the Division with the names, address and contact number of any legal representative, or if not represented, their contact number. The contact number must be a phone where the individual can be reached during and after regular business hours.
Where to File the Challenge?

Objections may be emailed or hand delivered to the Division of Elections. The office is located at 225 West State Street, 1st Floor, Trenton, NJ 08608.

Objections can be faxed to: 609-777-1280

Objections can be emailed to: petition.challenges@sos.nj.gov
When Can Someone File a Challenge?

Objections must be made in writing no later than June 16, 2025 at 4 p.m.
After Filing the Challenge – What to Expect?

In all challenges, the objector has the burden of proving that a petition is invalid.

The Division of Elections will provide all parties with a copy of the Challenge.

The Division of Elections will provide the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) with the original petition and the challenge.

The OAL will conduct a hearing on the objection.

Hearings for all General Election Challenges will begin on June 17, 2025.

Hearings are being conducted remotely. You will be informed of the specific time and details to participate.
After the Hearing – What to Expect?

At the conclusion of the hearing, an Initial Decision from OAL will be prepared and provided to the Lt. Governor/Secretary of State.

The Lt. Governor/Secretary of State will then Adopt, Modify or Reject the Initial Decision and prepare a Final Decision.

A copy of the Final Decision will be emailed to all parties.

The Final Decision is reviewable by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.

 

 

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