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New Jersey elections in 2026

This page lists New Jersey statewide election dates, voter registration deadlines, absentee and early voting timelines, poll hours, and official election resources.

At a glance​

Register to vote in New Jersey​

Start with the official New Jersey voter registration page. The section below highlights registration methods and the deadlines tied to the next statewide election on this page.

New Jersey voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted.

Upcoming registration deadlines​

  • May 12, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: Registration Application Forms are available from the Division of Elections, the Commissioners of Registration office in the County where you live or from your Municipal Clerk.
  • May 12, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: The registrant must complete a Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form. Mail or deliver the Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections for your county.
  • May 12, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: To register online, 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.

Online​

To register online, 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.

Eligibility or requirements

  • Must meet state voter registration eligibility requirements.

Deadlines

By Mail​

The registrant must complete a Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form. Mail or deliver the Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections for your county.

Deadlines

In Person​

Registration Application Forms are available from the Division of Elections, the Commissioners of Registration office in the County where you live or from your Municipal Clerk.

Deadlines

Special registration options​

Military Overseas: Available

All military voters and overseas voters must be registered to vote in order to obtain a ballot for the November election.

Additional registration notes​

Other Registration Option

The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.

Registration Status

Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site

Absentee and early voting in New Jersey​

These absentee and early voting deadlines are tied to the next statewide election listed on this page. Local procedures can vary, so confirm final details with your local election office.

  • May 12, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: The registrant must complete a Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form. Mail or deliver the Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections for your county.
  • May 20, 2026 — Sample Ballots Available: Mailing of Sample Ballots for Primary Election
  • May 26, 2026 — Early voting begins: Early voting starts as soon as ballots are available, usually 6 days before election. The exact start times vary by county, so it's best to call your Local Election Official and ask - N. J. S. A. 19: 15A-1
  • May 26, 2026 — Mail-In Ballots Application Deadline - By Mail: Deadline to apply for a Mail-In Ballot by Mail for Primary Election
  • May 29, 2026 — Mail-In Ballots Application Deadline - Electronic: Deadline for Application to Receive Primary Election Mail-In Ballots by Electronic Means for Qualified Overseas Civilian and Military Voters
  • May 31, 2026 — Early voting ends: Early voting ends the Sunday before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is May 31, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - May 32
  • June 1, 2026 — In-Person Mail-In Ballots Application Deadline: Deadline for In-Person Mail-In Ballot Applications for Primary Election
  • June 2, 2026 — Deadline for In-Person Submission of Primary Election Mail-In Ballots: Deadline for In-Person Submission of Primary Election Mail-In Ballots to County Boards of Election and to Authorized Ballot Drop Boxes.

Voter ID requirements in New Jersey​

Review the current voter ID rules before you vote: New Jersey voter ID requirements.

New Jersey election dates for 2026​

Primary Election — June 2, 2026​

Statewide and Federal primaries are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June of each even-numbered year to select the nominees of the major political parties for partisan offices - NJ ST 19: 23-40

Important dates​

  • May 12, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: Registration Application Forms are available from the Division of Elections, the Commissioners of Registration office in the County where you live or from your Municipal Clerk.
  • May 12, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: The registrant must complete a Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form. Mail or deliver the Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections for your county.
  • May 12, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: To register online, 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.
  • May 20, 2026 — Sample Ballots Available: Mailing of Sample Ballots for Primary Election
  • May 26, 2026 — Early voting begins: Early voting starts as soon as ballots are available, usually 6 days before election. The exact start times vary by county, so it's best to call your Local Election Official and ask - N. J. S. A. 19: 15A-1
  • May 26, 2026 — Mail-In Ballots Application Deadline - By Mail: Deadline to apply for a Mail-In Ballot by Mail for Primary Election
  • May 29, 2026 — Mail-In Ballots Application Deadline - Electronic: Deadline for Application to Receive Primary Election Mail-In Ballots by Electronic Means for Qualified Overseas Civilian and Military Voters
  • May 31, 2026 — Early voting ends: Early voting ends the Sunday before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is May 31, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - May 32
  • June 1, 2026 — In-Person Mail-In Ballots Application Deadline: Deadline for In-Person Mail-In Ballot Applications for Primary Election
  • June 2, 2026 — Deadline for In-Person Submission of Primary Election Mail-In Ballots: Deadline for In-Person Submission of Primary Election Mail-In Ballots to County Boards of Election and to Authorized Ballot Drop Boxes.

General Election — November 3, 2026​

November General election is held the Tuesday after the first Monday of November

Important dates​

  • June 2, 2026 — Candidates Filling Deadline: Candidate Petition Filing Deadline for General Election
  • September 19, 2026 — Commencement of Mailing of Mail-In Ballots for General Election: In-person absentee voting begins forty-five days before election. The exact start times vary by county, so it's best to call your Local Election Official and ask.
  • October 13, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: Registration Application Forms are available from the Division of Elections, the Commissioners of Registration office in the County where you live or from your Municipal Clerk.
  • October 13, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: The registrant must complete a Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form. Mail or deliver the Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections for your county.
  • October 13, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: To register online, 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.
  • October 21, 2026 — Sample Ballots Deadline: Mailing of Sample Ballots for General Election
  • October 24, 2026 — Early voting begins: Early voting starts as soon as ballots are available, usually 6 days before election. The exact start times vary by county, so it's best to call your Local Election Official and ask. - N. J. S. A. 19: 15A-1. **Note: ** The original date is October 24, which is a Saturday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 26
  • October 27, 2026 — Mail-In Ballot Applications Deadline - By Mail: Deadline to apply for a Mail-In Ballot by Mail for General Election
  • November 1, 2026 — Early voting ends: Early voting ends the Sunday before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is November 1, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - November 2
  • November 2, 2026 — Mail-In Ballot Applications Deadline - In-Person: Deadline for In-Person Mail-In Ballot Applications for General Election
  • November 3, 2026 — Mail-In Ballots Submission Deadline - In-Person: Deadline for In-Person Submission of General Election Mail-In Ballots to County Boards of Election and to Authorized Ballot Drop Boxes

Official New Jersey election resources​

Use these official and state-specific resources to confirm dates, registration rules, absentee voting requirements, voter ID rules, and local procedures.

What may vary locally​

Election dates, voter registration deadlines, early voting, absentee voting, and voting hours apply to statewide elections in most cases. However, Check with your Town Clerk for the hours of voting, and voter registration deadlines as they vary by town. Please be advised that these dates are updated regularly but are subject to scheduling changes at the local level.