(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ) -- New Jersey residents will again have multiple, convenient options for casting their vote in the 2022 General Election on November 8, 2022. Those options include mailing ballots through the United States Postal Service (USPS); dropping a ballot in any of the 30+ secure drop boxes across the County; nine days of in-person early voting at any of the 10 early vote locations in the county; or voting in person at their assigned polling location on Election Day.
Middlesex County has created a convenient, easy-to-use resource to learn about how to vote in the General Election. It can be found at Middlesexcountynj.gov/vote.
“Voting is one of our most sacred rights – and responsibilities – as citizens. It is the tool we use to shape our communities and preserve our democracy,” said Middlesex County Clerk Nancy J. Pinkin. “Your vote is important! Middlesex County is committed to making voting as convenient and accessible as possible for residents by providing early in-person voting and Vote by Mail options in addition to traditional General Election Day in-person voting. Voters should avail themselves of the option that best fits their needs.”
HOW TO VOTE IN THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION
There are three ways to vote in the 2022 General Election:
Vote by Mail with a Mail-In Ballot; In-person Early Voting on Saturday, October 29 through Sunday, November 6; and In-person voting on General Election Day Tuesday, November 8
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
The deadline to register to vote in the November 8, 2022 General Election is October 18, 2022.
The deadline to apply by mail for a Mail-In Ballot is November 1, 2022.
The deadline to apply in person for a Mail-In Ballot is November 7, 2022 by 3 pm.
VOTE BY MAIL
Registered voters who are not already on the permanent list for Vote by Mail and wish to vote from the comfort of their home can submit a Mail-In Ballot request in writing by filling out a Mail-In Ballot Application found on the Middlesex County website. A physical signature is required.
The County Clerk’s office must receive Mail-In Ballot Applications submitted by mail no later than seven days prior to General Election Day. For the November 2022 General Election, Mail-In Ballot Applications sent via mail must be received by the County Clerk’s Office by November 1, 2022.
Voters may apply for a Mail-In Ballot in person or by authorized messenger at the Office of the County Clerk in New Brunswick up to 3:00pm on Monday, November 7, 2022 (the day before the election).
Voters can choose one of the following options to return their Mail-In ballot:
* Mail the ballot through the United States Postal Service. Mail-In Ballots must be postmarked on or before 8 pm on General Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022 and received by the County Board of Elections by 8 pm on November 17, 2022.
* Take it directly to the Board of Elections’ Office, 11 Kennedy Boulevard, East Brunswick before 8 pm on General Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
* Drop the ballot in a designated Middlesex County Board of Elections drop box by 8 pm on November 8, 2022.
A list of drop boxes located in every municipality throughout the County can be found on the County’s website. Drop boxes are maintained by the Middlesex County Board of Elections, are secure, and are monitored 24/7 by video surveillance. Ballots are collected from drop boxes on a regular basis.
If you do not receive your Mail-In Ballot by October 17, you may request a replacement Mail-In Ballot from the County Clerk’s office by calling 732-745-4202 or by sending a replacement ballot request form.
VOTING EARLY IN-PERSON
Registered voters who have not requested a Mail-In Ballot may cast their ballot in person using a voting machine during the a nine-day Early Voting Period prior to General Election Day at any of the 10 early voting locations in Middlesex County. Voters can choose to vote in person when it is most convenient for their schedule.
Voters who elect to vote in person will now sign in on an Electronic Pollbook, which were rolled out during the 2021 General Election. They are equipped with scanners that can speed up the check-in process by using the voter's sample ballot or driver's license, if the voter's registration record includes their driver's license number.
In-person Early Voting locations will be open Saturday, October 29 through Sunday, November 6 for the 2022 General Election. Hours will be Monday through Saturday, 10:00am – 8:00pm and Sunday, 10:00am – 6:00pm.
In-person early voting polling sites are located in 10 municipalities throughout Middlesex County, including: East Brunswick, Edison, Monroe, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, Sayreville, South Brunswick, and Woodbridge.
Vote-By-Mail Ballots CANNOT be returned to in-person Early Voting polling locations or General Election Day polling locations.
Voters who receive a Mail-In Ballot but do not return their ballot may still vote in person by provisional ballot at an early voting location.
More information, including the addresses of Early Voting locations, can be found on your sample ballot or by going to http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/vote and clicking on “Early Voting.”
VOTING IN PERSON ON GENERAL ELECTION DAY
In-person voting is available to all registered voters in Middlesex County. Voters who have not requested a Mail-In Ballot may vote in person at their assigned polling place on General Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Click here to find your assigned polling location for the upcoming General Election. A voter's assigned polling location can also be found in the top left corner of their sample ballot, which will be mailed the week prior to the General Election.
A poll worker can scan a voter’s sample ballot or driver’s license, if the voter’s registration record includes their driver's license number, into the Electronic Pollbook to greatly expedite the check-in process.
Voters who receive a Mail-In Ballot but do not return their ballot may still vote in person by provisional ballot at their assigned polling place on General Election Day, November 8.
Polls in New Jersey will be open from 6:00am to 8:00pm on General Election Day.
Middlesex County is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, three universities, 19 park systems, and world-class healthcare and research facilities making it one of the nation’s most dynamic regions and a leader in technology, transportation, the arts, and food innovation. As one of the most diverse populations in the country, Middlesex County is home to over 832,000 residents living throughout 25 municipalities. The County's award-winning Middlesex County Magnet Schools system and two-year Middlesex College uphold its position as #1 in the state for best schools, offering secondary and postsecondary education and workforce development programs that create a unique ecosystem in which opportunities abound. Conveniently located between New York and Philadelphia, Middlesex County is a leading destination for businesses and residents alike to live, work, and play – and has been since the 17th century.
