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Secondary elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June. The primary is held for parties to nominate candidates for the General Election, and to elect Democratic and Republican party members of the state and county committees (and, in presidential election years, delegates to national nominating conventions). In a Presidential year there will be two Primary Elections. The Presidential Primary is the last Tuesday in February; this Election is limited to the selection of Delegates and Alternate Delegates for the two National Conventions and the Choice for Presidential Candidates. Polling hours are 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
General elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November to elect national, state, county and municipal officials. Polling hours are 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
School elections are held annually to elect members to the School Boards and to approve school tax levies. These elections are generally on the third Tuesday in April. You must be a registered voter in order to participate in school board elections. Polling hours are 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Special School Elections may be held on the fourth Tuesday in January, second Tuesday in March, last Tuesday in September and second Tuesday in December. (Except, in a Presidential year there will be no March election).
Voter Registration
Voting is one of the most basic privileges, rights and responsibilities a citizen has. In New Jersey, you are eligible to vote if you
- Are a US citizen, and
- Reside in a municipality 30 days before an election, and
- Are 18 on or before Election Day, and
- Are not serving a sentence, on parole or on probation as a result of being convicted of an indictable offense in any state.
You may register any time throughout the year but in order to vote in any election, your registration must be received 29 days prior to the election in which you wish to vote.
You may register to vote at the county Commissioner of Registrations office. You may also register by mail by filling out an application and mailing it.
Superintendent of Elections
One Bergen County Plaza
Room 380
Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076
(201) 336-6100
(FAX) 201-336-6111
The Registration form may be printed here, and copies are also available at the county office, any municipal clerk's office, through the League of Women Voters, other public agencies and usually through political party headquarters.
In New Jersey you do not have to declare a party affiliation when you register. You may choose, if you wish.
If you are a newly registered voter, or you have never voted in a primary election, you still may vote in the primary election in June. When you go to the polls that day, you will ask for one party's ballot. That declaration will enroll you in the party you choose. You will be affiliated with that party unless you file a letter or written form asking your party affiliation be changed. Such a declaration must be received by the county office at least 50 days before the primary election.
Voting questions can be answered by the borough clerk or by the Superintendent of Elections. Call 201-336-6100 in Bergen County.
Absentee Ballot FAQ’s
How can I vote by absentee ballot?
-You must be a registered voter
-You must apply for absentee ballot for each Election, except:
1. If you are permanently and totally disabled you may apply once for the whole year.
2. If you are not permanently disabled see below.
How do I apply for an absentee ballot?
You may apply to the Commissioner of Registration in writing up to seven days before an election. Applications are available at any municipal clerk's office or at the Commissioner of Registration's office. Applications are also available online on the Forms page. When your application is received and approved, your ballot will be sent to the address you request, or you may pick it up in person.
Within seven days, and up to 3:00 PM of the day before an election, you may apply in person at the office of the county Commissioner of Registration.
If an emergency circumstance should arise after the 3:00 p.m. deadline, you may apply to a Judge for a Court Order for the County Clerk to issue a ballot.
If you become sick or confined within seven days of an election, you may apply for an absentee ballot by messenger. The authorized messenger who must show a PHOTO ID may pick up a ballot for the voter. The authorized messenger’s name must be designated in writing (the bottom box of the application). An authorized messenger can be a family member or registered voter of this county. The authorized messenger must sign the application in the presence of the County Clerk, or designee, and deliver the ballot directly to the voter.
If I am permanently ill or confined, how may I automatically get an absentee ballot?
If you are permanently ill or confined, you may be placed on the PERMANENT ABSENTEE LIST (PAL). You will be mailed an appropriate application every January. You will fill it out, sign your name, check off the boxes, and mail the application to the County Clerk. You will then receive a ballot for all elections in you Municipality for the calendar year.
ONCE AN ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE, THE VOTER CAN NOT VOTE AT HIS OR HER POLLING PLACE FOR THAT ELECTION.
What if I am not permanently and totally disabled and I wish to vote only by absentee ballot in a General Election?
Once you apply for an absentee ballot, you will automatically be sent an absentee ballot application for any General election until you request otherwise to the County Clerk.
What should I do if I can not sign my name due to illness or physical disability?
If you are unable to sign your name the way it appears in the Voter Registry you may indicate your mark with an X in the space provided for your signature. Your name should be printed next to the X and any person providing assistance shall fill in the box and sign his/her name as the assistor.
What if I assist someone to fill out the application?
You have to fill out the absentee card as an assistor providing your name and address and you will sign the card.
What if I am a candidate in the election that a person applies for an absentee ballot?
No candidate in the Election for which the voter is requesting an Absentee ballot can be an Assistor or Authorized Messenger.
How do I apply for a military absentee ballot?
By obtaining a military service absentee ballot application from the Bergen County Clerk, your Municipal Clerk or from the proper Military personnel, or by having a relative or friend make an application for you.
A person in the military service need not be registered if he or she is otherwise qualified to vote and is:
- An armed forces member or a spouse or dependent of a member
- A patient in a veteran's hospital, or
-A civilian attached to or serving in the armed forces out of state or a spouse or dependent living with or accompanying that person.
Contact the Commissioner of Registration or a municipal clerk for a military service ballot application.
If you live overseas you may vote using a federal overseas ballot, available from the Commissioner of Registration's office.
What if I Move?
If you move between counties more than 29 days before an election, you must re-register in the new county and vote in the new county. If you move between counties within the 29 days before an election, you may vote in the former county.
If you move within a county more than 29 days before an election, you must file a written change of address with the county office.
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