From the Senate – September 22Important Dates for Voter Registration and Voting in the General Election

With the November 8 General Election approaching, it’s time to remind residents that the voter registration deadline is October 18, less than four weeks away.

Residents can register to vote online or by filling out a paper registration form. To register online, you will need your current, valid Driver’s License or a non-driver Identification Card issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, where your information will be checked to validate identification and to retrieve a copy of your digitized signature. Or, you can register online using your Social Security Number, but you must have the ability to sign on-screen or upload your signature to complete the registration process.

Paper voter registration applications also are available online at the state Division of Elections NJ Votes portal, or the Monmouth County Board of Elections portal, at monmouthcountyvotes.com. You also may obtain a paper application at the Monmouth County Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registration office at 300 Halls Mill Road, Freehold, NJ 07728, or by calling (732) 431-7780. The county and state election websites will provide links to all of the election information you need to register and to vote on November 8. If you are uncertain of your registration status, check the state Voter Search website, https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/registration-check.

There are some other dates residents should be aware of leading up to the November 8 General Election.

Monmouth County will have 10 specially designated in-person early voting locations. The locations will be open Saturday, October 29, through Sunday, November 6, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m on Sundays. Locations include the District 11 towns of Neptune, Long Branch, and Colts Neck. But Monmouth County voters can go to any one of the 10 locations during the nine-day period for early voting.

Registered voters also have the option of voting by mail. You may download an application for an absentee ballot In English or Spanish at Monmouth County Votes to complete and mail or deliver in person to the Monmouth County Clerk of Elections, 300 Halls Mill Road, Freehold, NJ 07728. Applications must be received by the Clerk of Elections by mail 7 days prior to the election. Hand delivered applications will be accepted up until 3 p.m. the day before the election. Voters also have the option of turning in their vote-by-mail ballots 24 hours a day at one of the 35 drop boxes throughout Monmouth County up until 8 p.m. on Election Day. To find a drop box near you, visit monmouthcountyvotes.com for the full list of locations.

Of course, you always have the option of voting in person on Election Day at your designated local polling location. If you are uncertain where to vote on Election Day, you will find additional help finding your polling location at the State election website, https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/polling-place-search.

Voting is one of our most fundamental rights and greatest responsibilities as citizens. We are all truly equal when we step up to the voting machine or cast our ballot by mail. So, regardless of who you support or how you chose to vote, I encourage everyone to register to vote by October 18 and to vote in the November 8 General Election.

Stay safe.