Voting in New Jersey
General election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
At a glance
Many people are registered automatically when they deal with the DMV or certain state agencies. You must register before the deadline below.
No ID is generally required at the polls; voters state their name (and often address) and sign the poll book. First-time voters who registered by mail may need to show ID under federal law.
Return deadline: postmarked by Election Day and received within 144 hours of polls closing (by 8 p.m. Nov 9).
Oct 24 - Nov 1
Since 2019 only people in prison lose the vote; restored on release including probation/parole.
Deadlines
| Step | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Register online | Tuesday, October 13 | |
| Register by mail | Tuesday, October 13 | |
| Register in person | Tuesday, October 13 | |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3 | Polls close times vary; check your state. |
Mail ballot request: by mail: received Oct 27 (7 days before); in person until 3 p.m. Nov 2. Mail ballot return: postmarked by Election Day and received within 144 hours of polls closing (by 8 p.m. Nov 9).
Where the road gets harder
Every rule is a cost, and it doesn't fall on everyone the same. A deadline, a document or a trip to an office is easy for some people and a real obstacle for others: people who work hourly jobs, move often, live far from an office, don't drive, or have a disability. Here is what that looks like in New Jersey.
- Registration closes before Election Day (in person: Tuesday, October 13). Miss it and you can't vote in this election. If you've moved, your registration may need updating by then too.
News from New Jersey
Recent election, voting and policy headlines that mention New Jersey, newest first. They are found automatically and not checked: a headline shows what someone published, not that it is true.
News appears here once the news feed is connected.
Official links
New Jersey Division of Elections. These go straight to the government, not to us.
Sources
Checked October 12, 2026. Laws and court rulings change, sometimes close to an election. If anything here disagrees with your state or county election office, they are right and we are wrong; please tell us.
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-registration-deadlines
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/online-voter-registration
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/automatic-voter-registration
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-voter-registration
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-11-receipt-and-postmark-deadlines-for-absentee-mail-ballots
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/early-in-person-voting
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-1-states-with-no-excuse-absentee-voting
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-3-states-with-permanent-absentee-voting-lists
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights