New Jersey residents will again have multiple options for casting their vote in the June 2022 Primary Election.
Those options include mailing ballots through the United States Postal Service; dropping a ballot in any of the 30-plus secure drop boxes across the county; three 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 Primary Election Day, Tuesday, June 7.
This is the first time New Jersey voters will be able to vote early in-person in a Primary Election.
The deadline to register to vote in the primary was May 17.
About primary elections
Primary elections allow voters who are registered to a political party, such as the Democratic Party or Republican Party, to select the candidates who will represent their party in the November General Election.
Unaffiliated voters who are registered to vote may choose to vote in either the Democratic Primary or the Republican Primary. If voting in person, either early or on Primary Election Day, an unaffiliated voter will declare their party affiliation at the polls before voting in the Primary Election. If voting by mail, unaffiliated voters will receive ballots for both the Democratic and Republican Parties and will select the party whose primary they wish to vote in and affiliate with moving forward.
Voters will have to submit a change of party affiliation form to become a registered unaffiliated voter again.
Middlesex County has created an easy-to-use resource to learn about how to vote in the Primary Election, available 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,” Middlesex County Clerk Nancy J. Pinkin said in a prepared statement. “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 Primary Election Day in-person voting. Voters should avail themselves of the option that best fits their needs.”
How to vote in the 2022 Primary Election
There are three ways to vote in the 2022 Primary Election:
- Vote by Mail with a mail-in ballot.
- In-person early voting from Friday, June 3, through Sunday, June 5.
- In-person voting on Primary Election Day June 7.
Vote by Mail: Registered voters who are not already on the permanent Vote by Mail list 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 Primary Election Day, which this year is May 31.
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 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 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 p.m. on June 7.
- Take it directly to the Board of Elections’ Office, 11 Kennedy Blvd., East Brunswick, before 8 p.m. on June 7.
- Drop the ballot in a designated Middlesex County Board of Elections drop box by 8 p.m. on June 7. 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.
Vote-By-Mail Ballots cannot be returned to in-person early voting polling locations or Primary Election Day polling locations.
If a Mail-In Ballot was not received by May 17, 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.
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.
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 a three-day Early Voting Period prior to Primary 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 June 3-5. Hours will be Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
In-person early voting polling sites are located in East Brunswick, Edison, Monroe, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, Sayreville, South Brunswick and Woodbridge.
More information, including the addresses of early voting locations, can be found on the sample ballot or by going to www.middlesexcountynj.gov/vote and clicking on “Early Voting.”
Voting in person on Primary 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 June 7. A voter’s assigned polling location can be found in the top left corner of their sample ballot, which will be mailed the week prior to the Primary 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 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 June 7.
Polls in New Jersey will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Primary Election Day.
For more information on how to register to vote, visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/government/departments/department-of-community-services/board-of-elections/vote/register-to-vote
