Are you ready to vote in NJ's 2023 primary election? Here is a list of dates to know

Kristie Cattafi, NorthJersey.com
·3 min read
2

While the June 6 primary election is still two months away, there are key dates in April and May that voters need to be aware of to be prepared to vote.

What is a primary election?

The primary election is where registered voters can choose their party's candidate who will go up in the general election in November.

New Jersey runs under "closed primary rules" meaning only registered voters of that party affiliation may vote.

Unaffiliated voters may designate which party ballot, Democrat or Republican they wish to vote for. However, in order to change party affiliation after that, a declaration form must be submitted to the county commissioner of registration.

Anyone looking to switch party affiliation must fill out that form by April 12.

New Jersey's 2023 primary elections will be held on June 6.
New Jersey's 2023 primary elections will be held on June 6.

Important NJ primary dates to remember

  • April 22: Mail-in ballots for the primary election will begin to be mailed

  • May 16: Voter registration deadline to vote in the primary

  • May 30: Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail to vote in the primary

  • June 2 – June 4: Early in-person voting period

  • June 5 – by 3 p.m.: Deadline for in-person, mail-in ballot applications for primary

  • June 6: Primary election day

  • June 6: Deadline for post office receipt of mail-in ballots from the primary

  • June 12: Deadline for receipt of timely mailed postmarked mail-in ballots to county boards of election

“It’s so important to know these key dates if you want to participate in the upcoming June 6 Primary Election,” New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way said.

How to vote

Voters can find everything they need to know on how to cast their ballot at Vote.NJ.Gov where they can register to vote, find their polling location or a county early voting site, and find secure ballot drop boxes. The information can also be found by calling 1-877-NJ-Voter (1-877-658-6837).

"It is vital that we all get our election information from trusted official sources like the Division of Elections or our county and local election officials," Way said.

Election decisions to be made

  • Visit Vote.NJ.Gov to check your registration status, register online, or update your registration.

  • Find current polling locations using Vote.NJ.Gov’s Polling Location Tool and decide whether to vote in person or request a mail-in ballot.

  • Request a mail-in ballot if you need or prefer to vote from home in the upcoming election. Voters will not automatically receive a mail-in ballot to participate in the June 6 election.

How to request a mail-in ballot

Any registered New Jersey voter can choose to request a mail-in ballot using one of the following methods:

  • Go to the Vote-By-Mail page on Vote.NJ.Gov to download and print an application for a mail-in ballot. Then, mail or deliver the completed application to the appropriate local county clerk. In order to be sent a ballot by mail for the June 6 election, the application must be received by May 30.

  • Apply in person at a voter’s local county clerk office by 3 p.m. on June 5 for the June 6 Primary Election. Find the contact details at Vote.NJ.Gov.

Returning mail-in ballots

Returning a mail-in ballot is very easy. Options include:

  • Mail: It must be postmarked by 8 p.m. June 6 and received by June 12.

  • Secure Ballot Drop Box: Place it in one of the county’s secure ballot drop boxes in use by 8 p.m. June 6 for the Primary Election. Drop box locations can be found at Vote.NJ.Gov.

  • Board of Elections Office: Deliver in person to the county board of elections by 8 p.m. June 6.

  • Mail-in ballots cannot be returned to polling places.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ primary election 2023: Ready to vote? Here's what you should know