How do I vote in New Jersey? Your guide to polling sites, mail-in deadlines, more

With Election Day coming up on Nov. 5, here's your guide for all things related to casting your vote in New Jersey. To see guides for other states, click here.

Do I need to register to vote?

If you’ve never voted before, you do need to register to vote. You can check whether you’re registered or not under Voter Search on the New Jersey Division of Election’s website. 

How do I do that?

In New Jersey, you can register to vote online or by paper. You must be a U.S. citizen, at least 17 years old (you cannot vote until 18) and a resident of the county for 30 days before the election. You cannot be serving a sentence of incarceration. To register to vote online, you will need your date of birth and a form of identification or your social security number. 

What's the deadline?

The deadline to register to vote is 21 days before Election Day. 

Where do I find out where my polling site is?

You can find your polling location using the Polling Place Search Tool on the New Jersey Division of Election’s website. It is also printed on your sample Ballot sent out by your county. 

Can I vote by mail?

You can vote by mail in New Jersey. Any voter can apply by completing the application for vote-by-mail ballot and returning it to their country clerk. 

What's the latest date I can turn in my ballot?

Your mail-in ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the sixth day after the close of polls. If it is not postmarked, it must be received by two days after the closing of polls. 

Is there a way I can track my ballot?

You can track your mail-in ballot through the “Track My Ballot Portal” on the New Jersey Division of Elections website. You will have to create an account to do so. 

What if I need help getting to the polling site?

If you have polling place accessibility concerns, you can use the voter report form on the New Jersey Division of Elections website to electronically submit detailed descriptions of any difficulties you experienced. All polling places are reviewed for voting accessibility.

Where do I find election results?

Paste BN will have presidential, congressional and statewide race results updating live here.

Illustrations by Veronica Bravo, Paste BN