Anyone who received a 2018 General Election Mail-In Ballot must use that ballot or a provisional ballot at their polling place. They will not be permitted to enter the voting booths, The League of Women Voters of New Jersey said in a statement.
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.
Anyone who voted by mail in 2016 automatically received at mail-in ballot, unless they notified the county clerk’s office in writing that they did not want one.
Additionally, some voters are reporting that they are receiving pre-filled out Vote By Mail applications from various groups and campaigns. Voters are unsure of the validity of these applications and uncomfortable with their personal information being filled out. If voters are suspicious but do wish to apply for a vote by mail ballot, the League of Women Voters of New Jersey advises them to visit www.lwvnj.org to download and fill out a blank application.
The application deadline for a mail-in ballot through the mail is Oct. 30. The county clerk must receive the application by that date. Applications will be accepted in person at a county clerk’s office until 3 p.m., Nov. 5.
Mail-in 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.
The voter registration deadline was Oct. 16.
For more clarification, call 1-800-792-VOTE (8683). For questions or additional information, visit www.lwvnj.org or call the League’s toll free voter information hotline, 1-800-792-VOTE (8683).