Information for Young Voters

© 2020 by NJ 11th for Change, Inc.

FAQs
for the November 3, 2020
GENERAL ELECTION

 

Due to Covid-19 and post office delays, we suggest registering to vote and submitting your vote-by-mail ballots as soon as possible. 

For more information about voting in New Jersey, including filling out, submitting, and tracking your ballot, be sure to check the General Election FAQs. 

Please share the information on this FAQ page with your friends and family.

 

What offices are up for election in November 2020?

  • PRESIDENT
  • U.S. SENATE
  • U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  • COUNTY CLERK
  • AT-LARGE FREEHOLDERS
  • DISTRICT FREEHOLDER
  • VARIOUS MUNICIPAL POSITIONS (varies by town)

Can I register to vote where I go to college? 

  • Students can register using a parent's home address or their college address (which could be a dorm or residential address). You may want to consider where you will be living on election day, or which location gives your vote the most impact in both national and local races.
  • Check the registration rules in the state where you want to vote to make sure you are eligible.
  • Voter registration in NJ closed on October 13. However, you can still change your address if necessary, and then request a ballot be sent to the updated address. Contact your County Clerk's office.

Where do I find voter registration rules and deadlines for the state where I want to vote?

  • Every state provides their election rules and deadlines online. Go to Vote.org for information about voter registration in every state or contact your local board of elections.
  • Find out if your college has any student political clubs. They can be a great source of information about voting in the state where you go to school. 
  • NBC's "Plan Your Vote" page and fivethirtyeight.com's voting page are reliable sources with information about voting regulations in other states.
  • The Campus Vote Project and  Rock the Vote have information specifically about student voting.

How can I find out if I am already registered to vote?

When should I register to vote?

  • The deadline to register in New Jersey was October 13, if you wanted to be in the system in time for the general election on November 3, 2020.
  • If you missed the deadline, REGISTER ANYWAY! Do it now while it is on your mind, and then you will be all set for 2021.

How can I register to vote?

  • In New Jersey, you have several options:
    • As of September 4, voters can register online! Visit voter.svrs.nj.gov/register.
    • Right now, you can download the voter registration application form for your county.
    • If your municipal office or local library is open, they often have voter registration forms available.
    • You can register at the Motor Vehicle Commission when you get your license. Be aware that there are currently long delays at the MVC, which may delay your voter registration.


  • Go to Vote.org to find out how to register in other states.
  • Contact a student political club where you go to college to learn more about local registration and voting rules.

Can I vote by mail in New Jersey?

  • Yes. All voters registered in New Jersey will be sent a vote-by-mail ballot. Ballots will be sent out by October 5, 2020.
  • When you fill out your vote-by-mail ballot, be sure to sign it the way you signed your registration form. Your signatures must match.

Can my parents fill out and deliver my ballot for me?

  • You cannot have a parent, friend, or anyone else fill out your ballot. However, some states may allow you to have a parent, friend, or other person mail or deliver your completed ballot.
  • Go to the General Election FAQs for more information about voting rules and who can mail or deliver your ballot in New Jersey.

How do I know if my ballot was received? Can I track my ballot in New Jersey?

  • Before you return your ballot, take a photo or write down your Voter ID number. This number is located above the barcode on the back of the ballot return envelope.
  • Sign up for public access with New Jersey Department of Elections to track your ballot.
  • Use your voter ID to track your ballot. You may also use your SSN or driver’s license, but using your Voter ID number is easier.
  • You can contact your county’s Board of Elections to find out if your ballot has been received, but using the online system is faster, easier and kinder to your County Clerk or Board of Elections (both of which will be under a lot of stress during the hectic weeks pre- and post-election).

Can I vote in person or by mail in my college state?

  • If you are registered to vote in a state other than New Jersey and plan to vote in person, check the local municipal clerk or board of elections for the most current polling time and location information. Some states may have early voting, limited hours, or different different polling locations due to Covid-19.
  • If you want to vote by mail, check the rules for the state where you want to vote. Vote.org has useful state voting information. Every voter is eligible to vote by mail in NJ, but other states may require a valid excuse for vote by mail or absentee voting. Make sure that your registration address and mailing address are current, and that you will be able to receive your ballot at the proper address or have it forwarded to you promptly and securely by someone you trust.

How do I know what’s on the ballot?

  • Your election ballot will include national, state and local races, as well as ballot issues. Whether you are voting at your polling place or by mail, you can be an informed voter by learning about the candidates and issues before you vote.
  • Ballotpedia is a good place to find what will be on your ballot. Just enter the address where you plan to vote.

If I register to vote in my college state, will it affect my tuition, financial aid, or my parents' taxes?

  • No, where you register to vote should not, in most cases, affect your in-state or out-of-state tuition status, your federal aid financial aid package, or status on your parents’ taxes.
  • Check your state election rules for guidelines.

What if I go to college outside of the United States?

  • As long as you are a US citizen, you can register to vote using the last address where you lived in the United States. Go to Vote From Abroad to register.

Can I register to vote if I am 17, but will turn 18 before the election?

  • You can register any time, but you won’t be officially added to the voter database until you turn 18. You can follow up with your county clerk or local board of elections to find out if they received your voter registration form.

Is there an mobile app with voter information?

  • In New Jersey, download the NJ Elections mobile app on Apple or Google Play. 
  • Check to see if the state where you plan to vote has a mobile app.

How can I get reminders about important voting deadlines?

  • Go to the NJ 11th for Change General Elections FAQ for voting deadlines, how-to’s, contact info, and the latest information about the 2020 election.
  • Follow @NJ11forchange on Twitter, @Nj11thforchange on Instagram, and NJ11th for Change Members Official on Facebook. Sign up for election reminders at Vote.org.

Why does my vote matter?

  • Historically, young adults have voted at much lower rates than older adults. Yet every election includes candidates for national and local office, and ballot issues which will affect your future. 
  • Some races are decided by relatively few votes, and your vote can impact the election results. You can make a difference when you vote.

 

Please share this information with your friends and family!

Still have questions? Visit our main FAQ page.

 

 

County-by-County
Information

 

ESSEX COUNTY

  • Essex County Ballot Dropbox Locations (This information was from the primary election in July. We will update it as new information becomes available.)
    • East Orange — City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza
    • Montclair — Town Hall, 205 Claremont Avenue
    • Newark — City Hall, 920 Broad Street (outside Green Street Entrance) 
    • West Caldwell — Municipal Building, 30 Clinton Road 
    • West Orange — South Mountain Recreation Complex Park and Ride, 560 Northfield Avenue
  • Essex County Polling Places (This information was from the primary election in July. We will update it as new information becomes available.)
    • You will be receiving a postcard in the mail with information about where you can vote in person.
    • Some municipalities have multiple polling places, and others do not. This is based on population size and other factors.
    • If your postcard lists more than one polling place, you may cast your vote at ANY of them. Choose whichever is most convenient to you on Election Day.


MORRIS COUNTY

  • Voter Protection Hotline (all counties): 1-877-NJ-VOTER
  • Morris County Clerk’s Office
    • Tel: (973) 285-6120 (main office) or (973) 285-6066 (Laura Roberts, Elections)
    • Mailing Address: Morris County Clerk, PO Box 315, Morristown, NJ 07963-0315
    • Regular Hours:
    • Special Election-related Hours:
    • Office Address: Administration and Records Building, 1st Floor, 10 Court Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
    • Voter FAQ page:
    • Sample ballots: n/a
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Website: https://morriscountyclerk.org/ 
  • Morris County Board of Elections
    • Tel: (973) 285-6066 or (973) 285-6715
    • Address: Administration & Records Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Court Street, P.O. Box 900, Morristown, NJ 07963-0900
    • Regular Hours:
    • Special Election-related Hours:
    • Email: [email protected] 
    • Website: https://elections.morriscountynj.gov/ 
  • Morris County Ballot Dropbox Locations (This information was from the primary election in July. We will update it as new information becomes available.)
    • Morristown — Morris County Administration & Records Building, 10 Court Street (outside front entrance)
    • Budd Lake — Mount Olive Municipal Building, 204 Flanders/Drakestown Road (at parking lot entrance to municipal offices)
    • Rockaway — Rockaway Twp. Municipal Building, 65 Mount Hope Road (outside police department)
    • Montville — Montville Municipal Building, 195 Changebridge Road (in front of municipal building)
    • Madison — Madison Municipal Building, Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, 50 Kings Road (behind police headquarters)
  • Morris County Polling Places (This information was from the primary election in July. We will update it as new information becomes available.)


PASSAIC COUNTY

  • Passaic County Ballot Dropbox Locations (This information was from the primary election in July. We will update it as new information becomes available.)
    • Clifton — City of Clifton Municipal Complex
    • Passaic — City of Passaic Municipal Complex
    • Paterson — County of Passaic Administration Building
    • Ringwood — Borough of Ringwood Municipal Complex
    • Wayne — Township of Wayne Municipal Complex
  • Passaic County Polling Places (This information was from the primary election in July. We will update it as new information becomes available.)
    • Not yet published online. Voters should have received a postcard specifying their polling location. If you have not, please contact the Passaic County Clerk or Board of Elections.


SUSSEX COUNTY

  • Voter Protection Hotline (all counties): 1-877-NJ-VOTER
  • Sussex County Clerk’s Office
    From the Sussex County Clerk's Facebook page: County Clerk Jeff Parrott announced that his office will be open extended hours on Saturday, July 4th from 9 a.m. to noon to accommodate in-person voting. Deadline for a walk-in to obtain a vote-by-mail ballot from the County Clerk: July 7.
  • Sussex County Board of Elections
  • Sussex County Ballot Dropbox Locations (This information was from the primary election in July. We will update it as new information becomes available.)
    • Vernon Township Municipal Building
    • Hardyston Township Municipal Building
    • Sparta Township Municipal Building
    • Hopatcong Borough Municipal Building
    • Newton Town Municipal Building

  • Sussex County Polling Places (This information was from the primary election in July. We will update it as new information becomes available.)



 

In the interest of providing accurate information to the general public,
we urge members to share the link to this FAQ page
with their friends, family, and neighbors,
as well as in other community forums.

 

 

___________

Thanks to
Essex County Clerk
CHRIS DURKIN
for his generous assistance
resolving these questions!

___________

 

Please consider donating to
NJ 11th for Change
in support of the work we do to educate voters and to encourage elected officials to be transparent, responsive, and accountable.
www.nj11.org/donate

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