November 3, 2020 – General Election
Voter Registration Deadlines & Important Dates
This is a paper ballot election. All active, registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot in the mail.
There will be five ways to vote in the general election:
- Send the vote-by-mail ballot through the U.S. Postal Service, postmarked by Nov. 3, and received by county election boards by 8 p.m., Nov. 10;
- Drop the VBM ballot in a secure drop box by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3;
- Bring the VBM ballot in person to a county board of elections up until Nov. 3;
- Bring the VBM ballot to a polling place on Election Day; or
- Vote in person by provisional paper ballot that will be provided at your polling place on Election Day. Provisional ballots are just like vote-by-mail ballots and will count.
Voting machines will be available as an ADA accommodation for people with disabilities.
Deadlines
- October 13: Deadline to register to vote
- October 23: Deadline to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot
- October 30: Deadline to apply to receive mail-in ballots by Electronic Means for qualified overseas civilian and military voters
- November 2: Deadline to submit in-person mail-in ballot applications by 3:00 pm
- November 3: Deadline for postmark of mail-in ballots via mail
- November 3: Deadline for receipt of mail-in ballots in-person
Polling Place Locations
While the November 3, 2020 election is being conducted primarily with vote by mail ballots, with each active registered New Jersey voter receiving a vote by mail ballot, there will still be at least one polling location available in every municipality in the state and each county will operate at least 50% of its normal polling location capacity. Voters who do not receive a vote by mail ballot or who prefer to vote in person can cast a paper ballot at their designated polling location. Voters with disabilities that prevent them from voting by paper ballot will have access to a voting assistance device. Below you will find the designated polling locations for the November 3 General Election. To find a polling location nearest you, go to https://nj.gov/state/elections/vote-polling-location.shtml.
Fraud When Voting By Mail Is Extremely Rare
While universal vote-by-mail is new to residents of New Jersey, it’s been practiced for years by other states, and studies of their results should reassure concerned voters. As recently reported in www.northjersey.com a Washington Post analysis of data from recent general elections in three vote-by-mail states — Oregon, Colorado and Washington — found that cases of fraud occurred at a rate of .0025 percent. Oregon, an early adopter of universal mail-in balloting, has documented only about a dozen cases of proven fraud among 100 million mail-in ballots over 20 years.
Be a Poll Worker
As reported in www.nj.com, New Jersey law forbids interfering with or obstructing entrance to a polling place, nor can anyone, “obstruct or interfere with any voter, or loiter in or near the polling place, or, with the purpose to obstruct or interfere with any voter or to unduly delay other voters from voting.” Electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place is a third-degree crime, and those who “solicit support for any candidate, party or public question within 100 feet of a polling place” may be guilty of a disorderly person’s offense. To help combat voting obstruction and suppression efforts, become a poll watcher. The New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections, is seeking New Jersey citizens to assist by serving as board workers. Training is required and will be provided. If you are interested, fill out an application by going to https://nj.gov/state/elections/pollworker.shtml.
Convicted Felons’ Voting Rights in New Jersey
In New Jersey, those convicted of felonies automatically regain their voting rights and may re-register to vote once they have completed their prison sentences. On December 18, 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law legislation restoring voting rights to convicted felons once they have completed their prison sentences. The law took effect on March 17, 2020. Previously, state law barred felons from voting until completion of their full sentences, including prison time, probation, and parole.
Contact Mashel Law If Your Right to Vote Is Being Interfered With
Call the attorneys at Mashel law at (732) 536-6161 or fill out the contact form on this page for immediate help if some organization, entity, or person(s) is attempting to interfere with your legal right to Vote. At Mashel Law located in Marlboro, New Jersey, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of employees.