Voter Information

Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Print

Covering all the topics below:


Voter Eligibility

  • You must be a citizen of the United States.
  • You must be 18 years of age on or before the next election.
  • You must be a resident of your present address for at least 30 days before the election.
  • You must not be serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under the laws of this or another state or of the United States.
  • You must not be adjudged mentally incompetent.

Voter Registration

  • You must complete a New Jersey Voter Registration Application form. These forms may be obtained from the Division of Elections, Somerset County Board of Elections Office, your Municipal Clerk’s office, or simply downloaded from this website.
  • Voter Registration Applications now feature an option to receive a Mail-in-Ballot for all future elections (including primary and special elections).
  • You must provide an original signature. The form cannot be faxed or electronically submitted.
  • You must provide a valid ID in the form of a driver’s license number or the last 4 digits of your social security number if you have one.
  • You must return the completed form at least 21 days prior to the next election to be eligible to vote in that election.

Party Affiliation

  • You do not have to affiliate with a party when registering to vote. If you do not choose a party, you will be classified as “UNAFFILIATED”.
  • In order to vote in a Primary Election, you must declare the party you wish to vote in. If you are “UNAFFILIATED”, you may declare your party either by filling out a State of New Jersey Political Party Declaration Form and submitting it to the Somerset County Board of Elections 55 days prior to the election or simply by declaring your party at the polls on the day of the election.
  • If you have declared a party and wish to change that affiliation, you must submit a State of New Jersey Political Party Affiliation Declaration Form 55 days prior to the Primary Election.

Mail-In Ballot Voting

  • As of 2018, voters may choose to receive a Mail-In Ballot for all future elections (including primary and special elections) by filling out one application.  If voters choose this option, they will automatically receive ballots without further action, until they choose to opt out. 
  • You may now vote by Mail-in Ballot for any election. You do not need a reason.
  • You must apply for a Mail-in Ballot by completing a Mail-in Ballot Application. You must mail this to the County Clerk’s Office up to 7 days prior to the election. The County Clerk cannot accept faxed copies or electronic submissions, as an original signature is required. You may apply in person at the County Clerk’s office up to 3:00 PM on the day before the election.
  • Once your ballot is voted and sealed, it must be returned to the Somerset County Board of Elections by 8:00 PM on the day of the election.
  • If you have applied for an Mail-in Ballot and have decided not to vote it and instead vote at the polls, you may now do so. However, you must vote by provisional ballot.

Voter Information Changes

  • If you change your name due to marriage, divorce, or by judgment of the court, you may notify the Somerset County Board of Elections in a written statement with an original signature at least 21 days prior to the election. If you do not notify the Board of Elections at least 21 days prior to the election, you will be permitted to vote at the polls under your original registration by signing both your registered name and your new name before voting.
  • If you move within Somerset County and do not notify the Somerset County Board of Elections at least 21 days prior to the election, you will be permitted to vote in your new district by provisional ballot.
  • If you move out of Somerset County after the close of registration date and are not eligible to vote in your new county, you may return to your previous voting district to vote. You must then register to vote in your new county.

Voter Assistance

  • Any voter who is blind, physically disabled, or illiterate is entitled to assistance in the voting machine. The person assisting may be someone of the voters choosing. These voters are now able to request to use Audio Voting Process.
  • If the voter is alone, two members of the board of opposite political parties may assist. The voter has the right to have both or only one of these board workers assisting them. It is the voter’s choice.
  • You may not accept assistance from a representative of your employer or union for federal elections.
  • Any person providing assistance must sign the “Certificate of Assistance” located in the front of the Voter Registration Book” before entering the voting booth.