Recent Life Changes? Check Your Voter Info

The Middlesex County Board of Elections is encouraging residents who have recently moved, changed their name or are new residents in Middlesex County to check their personal voter information by visiting the State Division of Elections Web site or contacting the Middlesex County Board of Elections. 

“It is important that everyone who wants to vote can do so with ease,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios. “By updating your information now, you will receive voter information at the right address, can avoid the potential of having to vote by provisional ballot, and may avoid challenges to your vote on Election Day.”

“Many times, voters move and do not notify us. As a result, their name may not be in the poll book at their new polling place, causing them to have to vote by a provisional (paper) ballot,” said James Vokral, administrator of the Middlesex County Board of Elections. “If they normally vote by a mail-in ballot and haven’t updated their voter record, that ballot could be sent to their old address and returned to the County Clerk as undeliverable. Also, if you have changed your name and haven’t updated your record, you may have difficulty voting or your vote may be challenged.”

To check or update your information go to http://www.njelections.org. Once on the Elections Web site, click “Voter Information” in the list on the left side of the page, then select “Am I Registered” and follow the prompts to verify your information. If you cannot find your record or it is incorrect, you will need to complete a new registration form and send it in to have your record updated. 

There are two upcoming elections:

• To vote in the October 16th Senatorial election the deadline to update records or to register for the first time is Wednesday September 25th.
• To vote in the November 5th General Election the deadline to update records or to register for the first time is Tuesday October 15th.

Registration forms are available online at http://www.njelections.org/voting-information-voter-registration-forms.html , from the Middlesex County Board of Elections (777 Jersey Ave, New Brunswick 08901), or from your local Municipal Clerk’s office. All forms are postage paid and after completing the form and signing it, you can fold it in three (with the address on the outside) and drop it in the mail.

The Board of Elections’ normal operating hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The Board will be open until 9 p.m. on both September 25th (deadline for the October 16th election) and October 15th (deadline for the November 5th election) to accommodate registrants.

You can also help the Board of Elections maintain its records by returning any Sample Ballots or any other official election-related mail received at your home for people who no longer live there such as former residents, former owners, children who moved or someone who is deceased.

“Maintaining accurate voting records helps the election process run smoothly,” Freeholder Deputy Director Blanquita B. Valenti said.

For more information, contact the Board of Elections at 732-745-3471, e-mail at elections@co.middlesex.nj.us or go to their office at 777 Jersey Ave, New Brunswick.

-Middlesex County Office of Communication