Credit: (NJ Spotlight News)It’s election season again in the Garden State, and this time around congressional candidates are battling at the top of the ticket for the chance to represent their party on the ballot in the midterms this fall.
As in last year’s general election, there are three ways to vote in next month’s primary, being held in person on June 7.
Vote by mail
Voting by mail has already begun, as the state started rolling out mail-in ballots on April 23. These are sent automatically to some voters. Anyone who was set to receive one and didn’t should contact their county clerk. Other voters who would like to get a mail-in ballot can still request one. The deadline for mailing in a request is Saturday May 31. Voters can request a mail-in ballot by visiting the county clerk through 3 p.m. on June 6. Applications and more information on mail-in balloting are available from the state Division of Elections website.
In addition to mailing a ballot, a voter can drop it off in one of many secure drop boxes located around each county. These can be found on each county’s website or the state Division of Election’s information portal. It is also possible to bring a mail-in ballot to the county board of elections office before Election Day during their normal business hours. Mail-in ballots cannot be returned to early-voting locations or your Election Day polling places.
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Vote early in person
For the second time in state history, there will be an option for in-person early voting from June 3 through 5. Every county will give voters the option to cast their votes early, and it can be done at any of several designated polling locations throughout the county. Each location will be open Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., during the three-day early-voting period. Early voting locations for the primary may not be the same as last fall, so check with county officials to find out where early voting will be available.
Vote in person on Election Day
On June 7, polling places throughout the state will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can find their polling location listed on the sample ballot they receive in the mail — these must be mailed out no later June 1 — or by checking the state’s online polling locator.
Only those registered can vote in next month’s primary. The registration deadline has passed. Voters unsure of their registration status can check it on the state Division of Elections website.
You can learn more about the congressional races, new districts, candidates and more on the NJ Spotlight News elections page.
