It’s Election Day: A Brief Voters Guide
Photo by Black Salman on iStock
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was produced as part of the South Jersey Emerging Journalists Project (SJEJP), an independent initiative dedicated to supporting content creators and emerging journalists from underserved communities across Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic counties.
BY KADAYSHA LITTLE | South Jersey Emerging Journalists Project
ATLANTIC CITY – Around the country, it is Election. New Jersey’s midterm election ballots will include candidates for U.S. House of Representatives seats, U.S Senate and state governor and local officials.
New Jerseyans are headed to the polls to cast their ballots and make their voices heard. Here’s what to expect when voting in person on election day in New Jersey during this year’s election.
Polls
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The State of New Jersey provides a guide to find each polling location within the state to vote at by registered address. Election Day is not a national holiday and the state of New Jersey does not legally require employers to provide time off for voting.
Voters have the right to submit a ballot, even if they are waiting in line when the polls close. Reviewing the commute, scheduling a specific time, and making a plan to vote are all ways to ensure a submitted ballot.
Identification
Identification is not required for previous voters. However, first time voters may be asked to present a valid ID, according to the US Vote Foundation. Valid forms of identification include:
–Valid New Jersey Drivers License
–Valid New Jersey Non-photo Driver’s License
–Government Identificationff
–Valid US Passport
–Valid Military Identification
–Valid Student Identification
–Valid Employee Identification
–Valid New Jersey Voter Identification Card
–License to Carry Concealed Weapon or Firearm
–Utility Bill
–Bank Statement
–Paycheck
–Government Check
With recent sightings of ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, it is encouraged for many voters to bring passports and naturalization papers to the polls this year. No armed federal agents or troops are allowed at the polling centers, unless to repel armed enemies.
Therefore any questioning, intimidation or testing is prohibited by law from the poll sites tomorrow, and voters should expect this to be upheld.
Know Your Rights
Other important voter rights and protections to be aware of for tomorrow include the right to vote regardless of developmental or intellectual disability, the right to vote with the accompaniment of a guardian and bilingual accessibility (Spanish or English).
In New Jersey, citizens are unable to register to vote at the polling sites on election day. Voters must have been registered 21 days prior to Nov. 3.
On the Ballot
From data centers and land protections, to funding distributions and education, each county will have unique questions on the poll. To find out what candidates, choices and questions will be at the polls in your area, go to nj.com.
Phone Usage at the Polls
The National Conference of State Legislatures clarifies that in the state of New Jersey, taking pictures of your ballot or with your ballot is illegal and strictly prohibited. However cellphone usage to research candidates or find information is legal.
Any problems at the polls related to rights violations or inaccessibility can be addressed with the NJ Division of Elections at 1-877-NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837) or the Election Protection Hotline.
Note from AC JosepH Media: If you like this story and others posted on Front Runner New Jersey.com, lend us a hand so we can keep producing articles like these for New Jersey and the world to see. Click on SUPPORT FRNJ and make a contribution that will go directly in making more stories like this available. You can reach Editor Clyde Hughes at chughes@acjosephmedia.com. Thank you for reading!
About Author
