Notice of Changes in Mail-In Ballot Law

Jerry L. Midgette, Somerset County’s Election Board Administrator and President of the New Jersey Association of Election Officials, has announced that changes have been made to the New Jersey Mail-In Ballot Law that have the potential to affect voters who seek to cast mail-in ballots in the Nov. 3 general election.

“In an effort to minimize confusion to those voters who choose to utilize the mail-in ballot to vote in this general election, I am strongly urging voters and persons delivering a ballot for another voter to follow the guidance as set forth in this announcement for returning a mail-in ballot to the Board of Elections,” said Midgette.

“Somerset County voters are reminded that ballots must be received by the Board of Elections by the close of polls on Election Day at 8 p.m.,” he said.  “Even ballots that are postmarked by Nov. 3 will not be counted if they are received late.”

The following information, along with a listing of do’s and don’ts, also has been posted on the Election Board’s website:

For bearers (persons delivering a ballot for another voter):

  • One must complete the Bearer Portion of the outer envelope in front of the voter. This applies whether the bearer is mailing the ballot or delivering it in person.
  • One may serve as bearer for up to three (3) voters in a single election. This includes any combination of ballots delivered in person or put in the mail. Delivering your own ballot does not count toward the limit of three (3).
  • Candidates for elected office may not act as bearers.

For All Voters:

  • Everyone must show identification when delivering a ballot in person to the Board of Elections.
  • It must be a valid, government-issued, or accepted as official, ID that includes an address and signature.
  • Examples of an acceptable ID include a driver’s license or non-driving ID issued by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission.

The Somerset County Board of Elections office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on Election Day. The office is located on the first floor of the Somerset County Administration Building at 20 Grove St., Somerville. Free parking is available in the adjacent Bernie Field Parking Deck.

For more information, go to the Board of Elections website at http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/elections or contact us at (908) 231-7084 or electionbd@co.somerset.nj.us