LGBTQ+ voters in New Jersey have the power to change outcomes for our community, particularly our LGBTQ+ youth, and ensure an environment in which LGBTQ+ advocates are able to continue the forward movement of LGBTQ+ rights under a hostile federal government. Our youth are counting on us to say no to politicians who will take our rights, restrict our freedoms, and incite violence against us.
As we gear up to vote in the 2026 election, voters have some big decisions to make. Garden State Equality wants to make sure that New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ voters and our allies have everything you need to cast your vote on or before Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
For Candidates: 2026 Endorsements
Applications for Garden State Equality Action Fund’s endorsement in the 2026 general election are now open! These questionnaires help the LGBTQ+ community and our allies know where candidates stand on issues important to us, and also serve as part of the evaluation process for endorsements.
- Board of Education Endorsement Questionnaire
- County/Municipal Endorsement Questionnaire
- Congressional Endorsement Questionnaire
Questionnaires are due by September 10.
For Voters
2026 General Election Timeline
| September 19 | Vote-by-mail begins |
| October 13 | Voter registration deadline |
| October 24 – November 1 | Early In-Person Voting Period |
| October 27 | Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline |
| November 2 | Overseas/Military vote-by-mail mailing deadline |
| November 3 | Election Day |
How to Vote
In New Jersey, you have three ways to vote:
- Early In-Person Voting: through Sunday, November 2nd, 2025.
- Vote By Mail: Applications for Vote-By-Mail ballots must be received by 10/28/25. Ballots must be postmarked on or before November 4th or dropped in an official ballot drop box on or before 8:00 PM, November 4th.
- Election Day In-Person Voting: Tuesday, November 4th, 2025 from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
All polling and drop box locations, as well as schedules, can be found at New Jersey Votes.
If you are a first time voter, please review our First Time Voter Guide and Happy Voting!
Going to the Polls
- Refrain from wearing or bringing political attire (T-shirts promoting any candidate or party, banners, signs, etc) – this is considered politicking and is against the law.
- You are not required to show ID to vote in New Jersey unless you are a first time voter who registered by mail. If you are a first-time voter who registered by mail, you may be required to show proof of ID once if you did not provide it when you registered. If you are asked for it and you don’t want to provide it, you can say no, and they cannot turn you away for failure to provide it.
- Do not return a mail-in ballot at the polling station. Return your mail-in ballot in a drop box.
- If your poll worker cannot locate your name on the voter roll when voting in-person, or if there is a failure of the voting machine, the polling station is required to allow you to vote by way of a provisional ballot.