Eligible voters (see below) can register to vote online or using a paper registration form, both available on the New Jersey Voter Information Portal.
To update your registration (e.g. name or address change), simply use the online voter registration form or a paper form to submit the update.
Review our FAQs if you have a specific question or concern.
You can register to vote if you are:
You can register to vote if you are:
Eligible voters can register to vote online or by filling out a paper registration form. Paper registration forms are available by county and can be returned through the mail on in-person to your county Commissioner of Registration/Superintendent of Elections. You can register to vote online or download a paper registration form on the NJ Voter Information Portal.
To check if you are registered, use the state's "Am I Registered?" tool. It is a good idea to check your status periodically before voter registration deadlines to ensure that your information is still accurate and that you have not been removed from the rolls for any reason.
Changed your name: You are entitled to vote only in the next election by signing your registration sheet at the polls with both your previous and new name. After that, you must re-register in your new name.
Changed your address: You must re-register and check off "address change" on the registration form.
Completed a sentence: You must re-register if you've completed your prison sentence and are back in the community, even if you are on probation or parole. As of March 17, 2020, people on probation and parole have the right to register to vote.
The registration deadline to vote in the next election is 21 days prior to the election day. View our Voting page for the next election registration deadline.
Upcoming Election Deadlines >You should update your voter registration when you move.
Depending on where you are moving to/from and how close the next election is, your ability to vote in the next election might be impacted. The safest approach is to contact your county Superintendent of Elections or Commissioner of Registration to verify your voting options if you move within 30 days of an election.
To register to vote, you will need your date of birth and one of the following forms of identification:
A current and valid Driver’s License or a non-driver Identification Card (ID card) issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)
-or-
A Social Security number
(from the State of New Jersey) An Inactive voter is a voter whose address has come into question.
The main way the counties receive this information is via the sample ballots that are sent prior to each election. If a sample ballot is returned as undeliverable or indicates the voter has moved out of county/state, that voter is put into an “Inactive” status and is sent a confirmation notice informing them that they have until the second federal general election after the date of the notice to update their voting record or appear to vote and complete the necessary form or they will be removed from the voting rolls.
Inactive voters do not get sample ballots and are not eligible to receive a vote by mail ballot until they are put back into an Active status. To update your record to active status, use the online voter registration form or a paper registration form.
You have the right to register and vote if you are on parole or probation. You have the right to register and vote upon release from prison. You are not eligible to register to vote if you are incarcerated due to a felony conviction under state or federal law.
You must re-register to vote once you complete your prison sentence, even if you were a registered voter prior to your conviction. If you're serving time for a misdemeanor or civil matter, you also have the right to register, and you can vote from jail using a vote-by-mail ballot.
If you’re a NJ resident heading out of town or out of state for college, you have a decision to make before Election Day. Register to vote using your home address OR register to vote using your new campus residence address.
Option A: Register at Home Address
Vote for officials and issues impacting your hometown. Return home to vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day OR Vote-by-Mail from college.
1. Register to vote / check your voter registration status: Visit Vote.NJ.Gov.
2. Decide how to vote: Vote411.org has poll locations and sample ballots. For a Vote-by-Mail ballot sent to your college address, apply at Vote.NJ.Gov.
Option B: Register at New College Address
Vote for officials and issues impacting your college town and campus community. Remember to change your registration if you move or after you graduate.
1. Register to vote / re-register to vote at your college address: Visit Vote411.org for information about registering to vote.
2. Know how to vote at your new address: State voting laws, requirements, and deadlines vary. Check Vote411.org and make sure you’re ready!
You do not need a permanent address to register to vote. You can use a temporary address to register. If you are unhoused, you can use an address of a place you often stay such as a shelter, park, or a street corner. If possible, use a trusted mailing address, like a shelter address, so you can receive mail from your county election officials.
