The League of Women Voters of Northern Valley (LWVNV) works to ensure all voters are informed about New Jersey’s vote by mail process and are able to fully participate in the General Election in the state on Nov. 5, 2019.
Voters who applied for a vote by mail ballot for the General Election in 2016, or for any election in 2017 and/or 2018 will automatically receive a vote by mail ballot for the upcoming November 2019 General Election in New Jersey. These voters may opt out of receiving vote by mail ballots by alerting their county clerk in writing. County clerks are sending these voters opt-out notifications through the mail and have opt-out forms available online as well here.
County clerks began sending vote by mail ballots to voters on Sept. 21, 2019. If impacted voters wish to opt out for this election, they should notify their county clerks immediately. Voters, who are unsure of their vote by mail ballot status, should contact the Bergen County Clerk at (201) 336-7020.
Some voters might want to verify where their ballot is scheduled to be sent. For example, if a voter was away at school or previously had a ballot sent somewhere other than a home mailing address, they should call their county clerk to clarify their address.
Voters, who receive vote by mail ballots, have the right to either vote using that mail-in ballot or vote using a provisional ballot at their polling place. They will not be allowed to vote on the voting machine. Provisional ballots are paper ballots that are counted after a voter’s eligibility is verified. In the case of voters who received a mail-in ballot, their provisional ballots will be counted once it is verified that they did not cast a vote using the mail-in ballot.
If a voter is not scheduled to receive an automatic vote by mail ballot, but desires one for the November General Election, they must apply. The application deadline to receive a vote by mail ballot through the mail is Oct. 29, 2019. The county clerk must receive the application by that date. Voters can also apply in person at their county clerk’s office until 3 p.m., Nov. 4, 2019.
Vote by mail ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received by the County Board of Elections no later than 48 hours after the close of polls. Ballots returned in person must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.
“Every registered voter should participate in the Nov. 5 General Election,” said Nike Prieston Bach, president of the League of Women Voters of Northern Valley. “Whether you cast your ballot by mail or in person at the polls, remember your vote is vital. If anyone needs any clarification on your options for casting a ballot, please contact us at 1-800-792-VOTE (8683).”
For additional information, visit www.lwvnj.org or call the League’s toll free voter information hotline, 1-800-792-VOTE (8683). From now through the close of polls on Election Day, the League of Women Voters will run the hotline to answer any questions or assist with any problems voters have.
The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The nonprofit organization was an outgrowth of the 19th Amendment passed in 1920 giving women the right to vote.
The League of Women Voters of Northern Valley was founded in 1946 as the League of Women Voters of Closter. By 1964, the chapter expanded to include 11 municipalities in the Northern Valley and was renamed the League of Women Voters of Northern Valley.