Raeanne Raccagno
News Editor
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s term is coming to a close, and it’s time for New Jersey residents to vote for his successor. The state governor is in charge of signing bills into law, overseeing the state’s agencies in the executive branch, appointing officials and managing the state’s budget.
Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli won their respective primaries in June, and are the front-runners for the general election. Also on the ballot are Vic Kaplan for the Libertarian party and Joanne Kuniansky for the Socialist Workers Party.
Important Dates
Mail-in ballots begin to be mailed: Sept. 20
Deadline to register to vote: Oct. 14
Early in-person voting period: Oct. 25 to Nov. 2
Mail-in ballot application deadline (by mail): Oct. 28
Mail-in ballot application deadline (in-person): Nov. 3 by 3 p.m.
Election Day: Nov. 4
How to vote while you’re away at college
Students should start by checking their registration status at the New Jersey Voter Information Portal to see if any updates are needed regarding registration status and address. Students can choose to register to vote using their home or school address.
You can register or update your address online at the state’s voter registration website. You will need to enter either your New Jersey driver's license/non-driver ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. You can also register by mail by downloading, printing, filling out and mailing the Voter Registration Application to your county’s commissioner of registration.
New Jersey offers three main options for voting in the gubernatorial election. If you’re registered to vote from your home address, then you will need to request a ballot to be sent to the College. To receive your voting ballot, complete the vote-by-mail application.
If you are mailing your voting ballot, it must be postmarked before 8 p.m. on election day and be received by your county’s board of elections on or before the sixth day after the polls close. If you’re using the ballot drop-off box, you can find secure ballot drop-off boxes online at the state’s website. Or students can give their vote-by-mail ballot in person to their county’s Board of Elections Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can use the voter information portal to track ballot status.
Students can also choose to do early in person voting at a designated county early voting site from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2. Or you can vote in person on election day, Nov. 4, between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
