In NJ, the voter registration deadline is 21 days before the election. For the upcoming Primary Election the Voter Registration Deadline is May 12, 2026.
Voting is the core principle of democratic government. Its intent is to ensure a government that is “of the people, by the people, for the people,” in the words of Abraham Lincoln. Exercising the right to vote is a patriotic duty and one that millions of men and women have given their lives to protect.
- Register to Vote – To register in NJ, you must be:
- A United States citizen.
- At least 17 years old but cannot vote until reaching the age of 18, except that you may vote in a primary election if you are 17 and will be 18 at the time of the following general election.
- A resident of the county for 30 days before the election.
- A person not serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under the laws of NJ or another state or of the United States.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO VOTE
CLICK HERE TO SEE IF YOU ARE ALREADY REGISTERED
*You may register to vote if you are at least 17 years old but cannot vote until reaching the age of 18.
NOTE: NJ does not have same-day voter registration, so you cannot show up to the polls and register when you arrive. You must submit your application three weeks prior to the election in which you wish to start voting. Once you are registered, you remain so for life. You should move your registration to another town if you change residence. You can change your party affiliation at any time by submitting a form. If you change your party, you can always change it again. You are never locked in.