Vote By Mail Laws Updated in New Jersey

SOMERVILLE – Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter wants residents to know that options have changed for the New Jersey Vote By Mail program, as of Aug. 10.

Voters can now choose to receive a Mail-in Ballot for all future elections (including primary and special elections) by filling out one application. If voters choose this option, they will automatically receive mail-in ballots without further action, until they choose to opt out.

The updated law directs county clerks to place any voter who applied to Vote By Mail in the 2016 general election in this category – no application required. Those voters will automatically receive a Mail-in Ballot for the Nov. 6 general election and all future elections. No further action is needed, if this is acceptable.

If voters would like to opt out of this program for the November election, they must notify the Somerset County Clerk’s Office in writing no later than Sept. 14.

The Somerset County Clerk’s Office mailed postcards to all voters who fall in this category. If voters wish to opt out, they can return that card to the County Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 3000, Somerville NJ 08876, by Sept. 14. Voters also can opt out by mailing a letter to the County Clerk’s Office or by sending an e-mail to countyclerk@co.somerset.nj.us.

Some important points about the new law:

• Voters will still have the option to receive a ballot for only one election.

• If voters opt out of all Mail-in Ballots now, they can choose to opt in at a later date.
• Voters who already applied for a ballot for the November election can choose to opt out of receiving ballots for future elections, and still receive their 2018 Mail-in Ballot.
Vote By Mail Ballots and voter registration applications will be updated to include this new ballot option and will be available in the near future.

For more information, contact Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter at (908) 231-7013 or CountyClerk@co.somerset.nj.us.