New Jersey Voting Requirements & Information
U.S. Vote Foundation’s New Jersey Voting Requirements and Information directory informs you of New Jersey voting rules and options. It focuses on New Jersey-specific voting guidelines and information for all voters, including domestic, overseas, and military voters. Here you can find out about New Jersey voter eligibility, voter ID requirements, registration, absentee and early voting options, ways to transmit voting documents and links to specific-New Jersey voting tools. It's an all-in-one New Jersey voting resource.
Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines
New Jersey Federal and State Elections
Thu Feb 5, 2026 - New Jersey Congressional District 11 Special Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Received byThu Jan 15, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Post Received by
Thu Jan 29, 2026 - In-Person, Received by
Wed Feb 4, 2026 3:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- In-Person, Received by
Thu Feb 5, 2026 8:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Wed Feb 11, 2026 8:00PM
Early Voting Available
Early VotingFrom Thu Jan 29, 2026 to Tue Mar 3, 2026
Thu Apr 16, 2026 - New Jersey Congressional District 11 Special General Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Received byThu Mar 26, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Post Received by
Thu Apr 9, 2026 - In-Person, Received by
Wed Apr 15, 2026 3:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- In-Person, Received by
Thu Apr 16, 2026 8:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Wed Apr 22, 2026 8:00PM
Early Voting Available
Early VotingFrom Mon Apr 6, 2026 to Tue Apr 14, 2026
General Information
Registration
You can register to vote or update your registration information:
- by mail
- in person at your elections office
- on-line
- at a motor vehicle agency
- at some public assistance offices
You must have resided in your county at least 30 days prior to the election in which you intend to vote.
The deadline to register to vote in NJ is 21 days before the election in which you intend to vote. See more information regarding deadlines on the NJ election dates and deadlines page.
Election Day Voting
Polling places are open from 6am to 8pm on Election Day.
Find my polling place
Early Voting
Early voting begins in person nine days before Election Day. Hours will be Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. You can vote at any early voting location in your county.
Early voting is now available for primary elections as well as general elections in every county.
Absentee Voting
Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot. You can return your ballot by mail, by secure drop box, or in-person at your Board of Elections office. You cannot return your ballot to your in-person early voting or Election Day poll location.
If sent by post, your ballot must be postmarked on or before 8:00pm on Election Day.
Please visit the US Vote Disability Voting Guide to see accommodations for the registration and voting process.
Eligibility Requirements
You are eligible to vote in New Jersey if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen
- Are a resident of New Jersey
- Live in the precinct where you vote for at least 30 days prior to the election
- Are at least 18 years old by Election Day
You are NOT eligible to vote in New Jersey if:
- You are in prison or detention or jail or penal institution
- You were disqualified from voting due to a court order
Restorative Requirements
- If you have completed a felony prison sentence, even if you are still on parole or probation, then you are immediately eligible to register to vote.
You may preregister to vote in New Jersey
- At the age of 17
If you are a student, you are eligible to vote in New Jersey if:
- You reside in New Jersey but are attending college in another state
- You reside in another state but attend college in New Jersey
Identification Requirements
Voter Registration
To register to vote ONLINE in New Jersey you should provide one of the following:
Your New Jersey Driver's License Number
Your New Jersey non-driver ID number
Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number
If you use your Driver's License or Non-Driver MVC ID, your information will be shared with the NJ MVC to validate your ID and get a copy of your digitized signature. If you cannot a Driver's License on Non-Driver MVC ID, you must provide the last 4 digits of your social security number and a digital signature. You must be able to sign on-screen or upload your signature to finalize your registration. If you are unable to provide a digital signature, you cannot register online. Click here to access and print a voter registration form.
If you do not have any of these IDs, you can provide a copy of one of the following with your registration application:
Current and Valid Photo ID
Document showing Proof of Address
You can alternatively provide one of these documents when you vote to complete your registration.
Voting In-Person
If you registered to vote in New Jersey, you may be required to present valid ID if you are voting for the first time or your registration is incomplete. You can use any ID from this list:
Bank Statement
Utility Bill
Other Government ID
Valid US Passport
Store Membership Card
Rent Receipt
Valid Employee ID
Valid New Jersey Driver's License
Valid Student ID
Valid Military ID
Valid New Jersey Non-photo Driver's License
Sample Ballot mailed to you
Valid New Jersey Vehicle Registration
Voter Materials Transmission Options
Domestic Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |
State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered?
State Elections Website
Where is my Polling Place?
Am I Registered?
Overseas / Military Voter Information
State Voter Registration FAQ
Where is my Ballot?
Where is my Ballot Drop Box?
Where are my Early Voting Locations?
Can I Register to Vote Online?
Has my Ballot Been Counted?
Vote In Honor of a Veteran
Where is my Overseas or Military Ballot?
Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines
New Jersey Federal and State Elections
Thu Feb 5, 2026 - New Jersey Congressional District 11 Special Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Thu Jan 15, 2026Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Request to Receive Blank Ballot by Mail Received by
Tue Jan 6, 2026 - Request to Receive Blank Ballot Electronically by
Sun Feb 1, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Received by
Thu Feb 5, 2026 8:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Wed Feb 11, 2026
Thu Apr 16, 2026 - New Jersey Congressional District 11 Special General Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Thu Mar 26, 2026Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Request to Receive Blank Ballot by Mail Received by
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Request to Receive Blank Ballot Electronically by
Sun Apr 12, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Received by
Thu Apr 16, 2026 8:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Wed Apr 22, 2026
Eligibility Requirements
Overseas Voters
U.S. citizens living abroad have the right to vote as absentee voters, provided they are eligible to vote in their state. If you are living outside of the U.S. permanently, indefinitely, or temporarily, your voting rights stay with you, even if you never voted when you lived in the U.S. To vote from overseas:
- Complete and send an overseas voter registration/ballot request form to your election office in the U.S. This is one specific form that will register you as an overseas voter and request your absentee ballot – simultaneously.
Many states allow children who were born overseas, but never lived in the U.S., to use their U.S. parents’ last residence address to register.
Military Voters
Service members and their eligible family members living outside their voting jurisdiction (within or outside the U.S.) are able to vote as absentee voters.
- If you are a service member, or an eligible family member, there is a single form to file for both voter registration and ballot request. It is often called the “Federal Post Card Application” or the FPCA form. This form must be re-filed with your election office each time you change location.
To vote as a service member or eligible family member:
- Complete and send a voter registration/ballot request form “FPCA” to your election office in the U.S. It is the same form in all states.
Identification Requirements
Voting Overseas
U.S. citizens living overseas may register and request a ballot using the overseas voter registration/ballot request form. You will have the following identification options when completing the form:
U.S. State or Territory or District Issued ID
Option to Indicate that you do not have the Requested ID
Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number
Voting Military
Service members and their dependents may register and request a ballot using the federal voter registration/ballot request form ("FPCA"). You will have the following identification options when completing the form:
Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number
U.S. State or Territory or District Issued ID
Option to Indicate that you do not have the Requested ID
Voter Materials Transmission Options
Overseas Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |
Military Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |