What to know ahead of New Jersey’s 2024 primary election

What are the deadlines I need to know?

Below are deadlines specific to voting in the primary election.

• Voter registration
  • In person, by mail or online: Tuesday, May 14
• Mail ballot request
  • In person: 3 p.m. Sunday, June 2
  • By mail: Tuesday, May 28
  • For qualified overseas civilians and military voters: Friday, May 31
• Mail ballot return
  • In person: Tuesday, June 4
  • By mail: Postmarked by Tuesday, June 4
• Early voting: Wednesday, May 29 – Sunday, June 2

Can I still register to vote?

The deadline for New Jerseyans to register to vote for the primary election was Tuesday, May 14. New Jerseyans can find out whether they are registered to vote online.

Who can register to vote?

Anyone can register to vote, so long as they are a U.S. citizen, will have been a resident of their New Jersey county for at least 30 days before the election, and are going to be at least 18 on or before Election Day.

In 2019, the state restored the right to vote to people who are on probation and parole.

What does a ‘closed primary’ mean?

New Jersey has a closed primary system, which means that only Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party’s nominees to run in the general election. However, people who don’t belong to the two major parties can still vote on local ballot questions.

The voter deadline to switch party affiliation was April 10.

Voters can fill out a New Jersey Political Party Affiliation Declaration Form and mail or deliver it to the commissioner of registration in their county, or they can file it with their municipal clerk. These forms are also available at a commissioner of registration office.

Can I still apply for a mail ballot?

New Jerseyans may apply for a mail ballot via mail by Tuesday, May 28, or in person by 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 2.

Qualified overseas civilian and military voters must apply to receive mail ballots electronically by Friday, May 31.

Can I vote early in person?

New Jerseyans who are registered to vote may do so in person at their county board of elections offices. Early voting for the primary election will open Wednesday, May 29, and continue through Sunday, June 2.

Every county will provide registered voters with in-person early voting locations. The list of early voting locations can be found online. Early voting will be open from 10 am. to 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

When must mail or absentee ballots be received?

Voters have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to return their mail ballots to their county board of elections office in person or drop it off in one of their county’s secure ballot drop box locations.

Mail ballots sent through the mail must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the county boards of elections on or before Monday, June 10.

Vote-by-mail ballots cannot be returned to a voter’s polling location.

How will I know if my mail ballot was processed?

Voters can check the status of their mail ballots online.

What if I am a member of the military, other uniformed service or a civilian living overseas?

Qualified military or overseas voters must be registered to vote in New Jersey in order to obtain a ballot for the June election, either by using a state form or a federal postcard application (FPCA).

Only the federal postcard application can be used for both voter registration and ballot request. Voters who use the state forms must separately submit a New Jersey voter registration form and a New Jersey mail ballot application.

Mail ballots for qualified military or overseas voters can be obtained via a voter’s county clerk’s office or the secretary of state office.

Not sure which county clerk’s office to send your application? Contact the New Jersey Division of Elections or call 1-877-NJVOTER.

Completed mail ballots must be delivered to the appropriate county board of elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Mail ballots sent via mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day.

What if I want to vote in person?

New Jerseyans who want to vote in person on Election Day can do so at the polls, which will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Voters can find their polling places online.

Where is my polling place?

New Jersey voters can find their polling places online.

What if I received a mail ballot but want to vote in person?

If you have received your mail ballot but have not voted, you may only vote with a paper provisional ballot at your polling place.

What happens if I request a mail ballot and don’t receive it?

Voters who request a mail ballot but don’t receive it, or don’t have it to surrender, may vote by provisional ballot at their polling places. The provisional ballots will be reviewed by the county boards of elections post-Election Day to determine whether they will be counted.

Who is on the ballot?

U.S. Senate

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez announced he would not run in the Democratic primary after he was indicted on criminal bribery charges. The senator instead filed for an independent reelection run.

Here’s who’s in the running for the Democratic and Republican primaries:

• Democrat
  • Patricia Campos Medina
  • Kevin Cupples
  • Lawrence Hamm
  • Andrew Kim
  • Patrick Merrill
• Republican
  • Curtis Bashaw
  • Michael Estrada
  • Albert Harshaw
  • Shirley Maia-Cusick
  • Gregg Mele
  • Justin Murphy
  • Christine Serrano Glassner
  • Alex Zdan

U.S. House

Not sure which U.S. House district you’re in? Enter your address to find out. Races for the districts below are within WHYY’s viewing area:

Outside of South Jersey, in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District — which includes parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties — Democratic incumbent Rob Menendez is competing against Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and businessman Kyle Jasey. The race is being overshadowed by a trial featuring Menendez’s father, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez.

Municipal elections are also happening in a couple counties. Consult with your county election office for more information.

N.J. voter info & resources

• Check to see if you are registered to vote
• Register to vote
• View a sample ballot based on your address
• Sign up to become a poll worker
• Find your polling place
• Find secure drop box locations
• Apply for a mail ballot
• Check the status of your mail ballot