Absentee Ballot Process

In New Jersey, you can vote by mail ballot for any election. You do not need a reason for a vote by mail ballot.

Can't make it to the polls? Request an absentee ballot through your county clerk or online. NO EXPLANATION NECESSARY!

Be sure to return your absentee ballot to the county clerk's office or to a polling location on or before Election Day. For other questions, check the Secretary of State Website.

You are eligible for an absentee ballot if:

If you are a registered voter, you may vote by absentee ballot, even if you are able to vote in person on Election Day. To vote absentee, you must first apply for an absentee ballot. Applications are available during a period beginning 75 days before Election Day and ending at 12:00 pm on the day before the election.

Absentee voting begins six weeks prior to an election for registered voters. You may vote by absentee ballot if you fulfill one of the following criteria:

Voters who are unable to make it to the polls on Election Day are able to vote an absentee ballot. All eligible and registered voters may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Your request for an absentee ballot must be in writing and can be submitted to your city or township clerk. Requests must b e received by your clerk no later than 5pm the Friday before the Election.

To request a ballot, use one of the links below:

Absent Voter Ballot Application

There is no specific deadline to request an absentee ballot. Ballots are available 46 days before an election

Completed mail ballots must be received by your county auditor no later than the Election Day. Any voter may vote absentee in any election they choose.

You can apply for an early voting (formerly known as absentee) ballot by contacting your county clerk in person, by personal agent, by mail or by fax. You can print the early voting application request form from your state's website. To apply for early voting, you should complete the form and then mail or fax it to your county clerk.

You are eligible to vote absentee if you are a duly qualified and registered voter who will be absent from your county of residence on Election Day or are:

You must have a reason to vote by mail, unless you are a military or overseas citizen (please see below for more information for military and overseas voting). There are 12 reasons to vote by mail: