First-Time Voters

Table of Contents

This page is just a brief overview of what you need to know in advance of the upcoming election. For comprehensive information, please visit the New Jersey Voter Information Portal.

How to Register

  • You can register to vote online on the Division of Elections website.
  • You can register by mail by printing out paper forms from the Division of Elections website.
  • If you have a driver’s license or MVC non-driver identification, these numbers must be provided when you register.
  • If you have neither, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

You do not have to show your ID when voting unless you did not show valid identification when registering.

Mail-In Ballots

  • Any voter can vote by mail.
  • You must apply by mail to vote by mail at least seven days prior to the election you want to vote in.
  • You can also apply in person at your county clerk until 3:00 pm the day before the election.

Finding Your Polling Place

  • If you want to vote in person, you must find your designated polling place.
  • Enter your address and ZIP code at the linked page.
  • From there, it will specify the name of the polling place as well as the address and Google Maps directions.
  • The website will also specify the hours that the polling place is open.

Checking in at Your Polling Station

  • When you arrive at the polling station, you will be prompted to go to the table corresponding to your specific voting district.
  • You will be asked your name and address, then prompted to sign the voting authority pad or poll book.
  • Once you do this, you will be given a card or a slip that will allow you to vote.
  • You should then follow the poll worker’s instructions on how to mark the ballot or use the voting machine.

Become a Poll Worker

  • Poll workers are crucial to helping our electoral system run smoothly.
  • Anyone who is a U.S. citizen and New Jersey resident and is aged 16 or above can become a poll worker.
    • Those 18 or over must also be registered voters.
  • Learn more and apply at the Division of Elections website.

Primary vs. General Elections

  • In a primary election, you must be registered with a political party.
  • In a primary, you can only vote for the party you’re registered with.
  • In a general election, you do not need to be registered with a specific party.
  • In a general election, you can vote for candidates of either party.

Candidates for the 2025 General Election

The candidates for the gubernatorial election are:

  • Mikie Sherrill (D)
  • Jack Ciattarelli (R)

All members of the General Assembly are up for (re-)election.

A special election is being held for the state Senate seat for the 35th legislative district. The candidates are:

  • Benjie E. Wimberly (D)
  • Frank G. Filippelli (R)

Gubernatorial Roundtables

This February, Garden State Equality Action Fund held a series of virtual roundtables with candidates running for Governor of New Jersey in 2025, allowing our members to hear in-depth discussions of how these candidates plan to address various issues important to New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ communities.

As part of this series, Garden State Equality held a roundtable with Mikie Sherrill.

Jack Ciattarelli was contacted but declined to take part in the roundtable series.

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