NJ Primary Election Is Nearing – Here’s What You Need To Know

By: Savannah Scarborough, Follow South Jersey Intern

SOUTH JERSEY – New Jersey State elections are approaching. Here is what state residents need to know for the upcoming June Primary Election.  

“It’s so important to know these key dates if you want to participate in the upcoming June 6 Primary Election,” said New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “New Jersey’s voters should be aware that they can always find everything they need to know on how to cast their ballot at Vote.NJ.Gov. You can register to vote, find your polling location or a county early voting site, find secure ballot drop boxes, and more.”

The Primary Election will be on June 6, 2023. Before election day, state residents should visit Vote.NJ.Gov to review their registration status to ensure they are eligible to vote. If not, these individuals should register online or update their registration. 

Residents are encouraged to locate their closest polling location using the Polling Location Tool and decide whether to vote in person or by a mail-in ballot. To vote by mail, residents must register. Voters will not automatically receive a mail-in ballot for the June election; instead, they will only receive one if they register beforehand. 

To register for a mail-in ballot, residents may go to the Vote-By-Mail page on Vote.NJ.Gov to download and print an application, complete the application, then mail or deliver the application to the appropriate local County Clerk. To download and complete an application at home and then deliver it to a local County Clerk, all individuals must have their application received by May 30. 

Residents may register for a mail-in ballot by applying in person at a local County Clerk’s office. To apply in person at a local County Clerk, all individuals must do so by 3:00 p.m. on June 5. 

Once residents receive a mail-in ballot, the return process is simple. However, it is essential to note that mail-in ballots cannot be returned to polling places. Thus, once the ballot has a vote, is signed, and sealed, return options include: 

  • Through mail, which must be adequately postmarked by 8 p.m. on June 6 and received by June 12.
  • Through a secure ballot drop box, which must be in use by 8 p.m. on June 6. Drop box locations are found at Vote.NJ.Gov
  • Through the Board of Elections Office where individuals can deliver their ballot in person by 8 p.m. on June 6

Below is a timeline of important upcoming events from the New Jersey Department of State to make a note of for the months of April through June:

  • April 12: Deadline for Change of Party Affiliation Declaration Forms for Primary Election to be filed with County Commissioners of Registration 
  • April 22: Commencement of mailing of mail-in ballots for Primary Election
  • May 16: Voter Registration Deadline for the Primary Election
  • May 30: Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail for Primary Election
  • June 2 – June 4: Early voting period
  • June 5 – by 3:00 p.m.: Deadline for in-person mail-in ballot applications for Primary Election
  • June 6: Primary Election Day
  • June 6: Deadline for Post Office receipt of mail-in ballots from the Primary Election
  • June 13: Deadline for Receipt of timely mailed postmarked mail-in ballots to County Boards of Election

For more information about the June 6 Primary Election, visit Vote.NJ.Gov. 

Individuals may also contact their local election officials or call the Voter Information and Assistance Line at 1-877-NJ-Voter (1-877-658-6837). 

Link to New Jersey Department of State Article on the June 6 Primary Election, https://www.state.nj.us/state/press-2023-0404.shtml. 

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