The deadline to register to vote in New Jersey has arrived.
For the rest of the tri-state area? New York and Connecticut residents can breathe a sigh of relief if they haven't registered to vote yet, because they still have some time -- although the cut-off dates are fast approaching.
Scroll down for all you need to know about how to register to vote and when the deadline is for your state:
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey offers online voter registration. Residents can register by mail to vote in New Jersey by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your County Commissioner of Registration/Superintendent of Elections. However, residents can also register in person if they so choose.
Do I have to register to vote every year?
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In New Jersey, no.
News
Voter registration is permanent in the state and you do not have to re-register.
How do I know if I'm registered or not?
You can find your voter information online with the New Jersey's Division of Elections.
Make sure to enter your name and your birthday correctly.
Voter Registration Requirements
In order to register in New Jersey, there are certain requirements that must be met:
- A United States citizen;
- At least 17 years old. However, you may not vote until you are 18 years old;
- A resident of the county in which you are registering for 30 days before the election;
- A person not serving a sentence of incarceration from a conviction in any state within the United States.
Register by Mail
The person registering to vote must complete a Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form. Mail or deliver the Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections of the county they live in.
Register Online
To register online, you will need your date of birth and one of the following forms of identification:
- A current and valid driver’s license or a non-driver ID card issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
- A Social Security number: It is important to note that you must have the ability to sign on-screen or upload your signature to complete the registration process. If you are unable to provide a digital signature, you cannot register online.
Deadline
The registration deadline to vote in the next election is 21 days prior to the election day. This means that for the General Election, the deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, Oct. 15. You can register after the deadline, but you won't be able to vote in upcoming November election.
NEW YORK
New Yorkers who wish to participate in this year's election and still need to register must follow certain criteria:
- Be a United States Citizen;
- Although, citizens may pre-register at the age of 16 or 17, they cannot vote until the age of 18;
- Be a resident of this state and the county, city or village in which they are registering for at least 30 days before the election;
- Not be in prison for a felony conviction;
- Not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;
- Not claim the right to vote elsewhere
Do I have to register to vote every year?
No, however, if you have not voted in two consecutive Federal Elections, your voter status is considered inactive. Your name will be purged from the state's system, and you must re-register to vote.
If you have registered, but you are currently serving time for a felony, your voting rights are revoked until you are released. Then you can re-register to vote again.
The same applies to individuals adjudged mentally incompetent by a court.
If you change your name or address, or wish to change your party enrollment, you can submit a new registration application.
How do I know if I'm registered to vote?
Use the state's voter lookup tool to find out if you're registered.
How to register to vote in New York?
In New York State, you can register in-person the following ways:
- At your corresponding county board of elections
- At any New York State Agency-Based voter registration center
- At the DMV if you already have DMV-issued identification
In New York State, you can request a registration form the following ways:
- By mail by entering your name directly into our Voter Registration Form Request mailing list
- By calling the 1-800-FOR-VOTE (1-800-367-8683) hotline to request a voter application
Once the form is completed, mail the form to your local county board of elections.
Deadline
In order to vote in the General Election, when it comes to registering by mail, applications must be received by a board of elections no later than Oct. 26.
Meanwhile, in-person registration must also take place no later than Oct. 26.
CONNECTICUT
Eligibility
You are eligible to vote in Connecticut if:
- you are a United States citizen living in Connecticut;
- are 18 years old, or turning 18 before Election Day;
- have been released of confinement, if you were convicted of a felony.
How to register
- Online
- In-person at you local Registrar of Voters office
- By mail
- At a DMV location
- Same-day registration
Deadline
The deadline for mail-in voter registration applications must be postmarked by Oct. 18. Online registrations must be received by 11:59 p.m., while in-person registration with your local Registrar of Voters must be done by 8 p.m.
