At age 17, students are eligible to register to vote, and can vote in all elections once they turn 18. Below is information regarding voter registration, why voting is important, and voting requirements for New Jersey.

 

 

Why Should I Vote?

Make your voice heard Every Vote Counts!

The Importance of Voting

It is one of the most important rights and responsibilities that U.S. citizens have. About 150 million American citizens are qualified to vote, Unfortunately, many don't. They give up on a chance to choose leaders and representatives who will do things that are important to them,

Why Vote?

Voting is one of the most precious rights we have as Americans. Of course, it was not always that way. Over time, many people in our nation fought - and some gave their lives - for the cause of equal voting rights for all individuals. That tells us something about the power of the vote. Like all hard-won rights, voting is something we should not treat lightly. It is a right we should respect, and it is a right we should exercise.

Every Vote Counts

It's also important for citizens to know how to work the voting machines or to mark the ballots they'll be using when they vote, so that their votes will be counted, Why is that so important? Because every vote counts! An election might be decided by a single vote and history would be changed because a person got... or lost. e, that one vote(

Here are some important events in U.S. history that were decided by just a few votes:

Richard Nixon. not John F. Kennedy, would have become President of the U.S. in 1960 if one person from each voting place had voted differently. if just one U.S. Senator had voted differently. U.S. President Andrew Johnson would have been removed from office in 1867

Texas might not have become part of the United States in 1845 if one U.S. Senator had voted differently, The vote in the U.S. Senate was 27-25 to invite Texas to become a state, If it had been a tie, Texas would not have been asked to become part of the Union.

You Can Make a Difference! Here's how...

Play a role in choosing our leaders and changing our laws by voting.

If you're 18 or older, vote in every federal, state, and local election.

Learn about the candidates and issues before you vote in any election.

Know what's going on in your country and community.

Write letters to public officials about issues that are important to you.

Remind everyone 18 and older to vote.

Respect your right to vote! It's a privilege that many people in the world don't have.

Voter Registration Eligibility Requirements

Must be:

> A United States Citizen

 17 years old to register and 18 years old to vote

 Resident of county at least 30 days before the election

 Not serving a prison sentence, on parole, or on probation for a felony

You can register frotn college address or parents' address

The registration deadline is 21 days prior to election day

 

 

Political Party Affiliation Declaration Form

Please print clearly in ink. All information is required unless marked optional.

l, being a registered voter at the address listed below, do hereby declare that I wish to affiliate with the following political party or political group:

                  E] Democratic Republican                  Conservative*

              Green*                  Libertarian*         C] Natural Law Party*

              Reform Party*                U.S. Constitution Party* B] Socialist Party of New Jersey*

OR l, being a registered voter at the address listed below, do hereby declare that I do not want to be affiliated with any political party or group.

Last Name

First Name Middle Initial

Date of Birth (month) (day)(year) New Jersey Residence:

Street Apt. No.

Municipality

CountyZip Code

            Signature or mark of registered voter              Date

*If you are a registered member of the Green Party, Libertarian Party, Natural Law Party, Reform Party, U.S. Constitution Party, Conservative Party or the Socialist Party of New Jersey you can participate in the convention of that party, according to its bylaws, but you cannot vote in either the Democratic or Republican Primary.

**lf you are a previously affiliated voter who is changing to an unaffiliated voter, you must file a declaration form no later than 55 days before the primary election in order to be registered as unaffiliated for the primary election.

Declaration must be filed no later than 55 days preceding the primary in which the voter wishes to vote. An unaffiliated voter can affiliate with the Democratic or Republican Party on the day of the primary.

                              Elections. NJ. Gov                              NJ Division of Elections • 02/27/16

68 Voter Registration Application

Please print clearly in ink. Alt information is required-unless marked-optional.

I Check all boxes that apply: a New Registration Name Change a Political Party Affiliation a Address Change a Signature Update a Vote By Mail

2 Are you a U.S. Citizen? n Yes (If No, DO NOT complete this form)

3 Are you at least 17 years of age? n Yes           No (If No, DO NOT complete this form)

Clerk

4 Last Name

First Name

Middle Name or Initial

Suffix (Jr., sr., 111)

Registration #

5 Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

6 Gender (Optional)          Female a Male

ffice Time Stamp C] by mail a in person

7 NJ Drivers License Number or MVC Non-driver ID Number D "l swear or affirm that I DO NOT have a NJ Driver's License,

If you DO NOT have a NJ Dñver's License or MVC Non-Driver ID, provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number.

MVC Non-driver ID or a Social Security Number."

Home     8      Address (DO NOT use PO Box)

Apt.

Municipality (City/Town)

County

State

Zip Code

Mailing Address (If different from Home Address) 9

Apt.

Municipality (City/Town)

County

State

Zip Code

Last Address Registered to Vote (DO NOTusePOBox) 10

Apt.

Municipality (City/Town)

County

State

Zip Code

11 Former Name if Making Name Change

12 Day Phone Number (Optional) E-Mail Address (Optional)

13 Do you wish to declare a political party affiliation? a Yes, the party name is (Optional)

14 Request for Mail-ln Ballot for all future elections (Optional) I wish to receive a Mail-ln Ballot for all future elections until I request otherwise in writing to the County Clerk's office. a Mail my ballot to the following address if different from Mailing Address above.

Mailing Address if different from above

Apt.

Municipality (City/Town)

State

Zip Code

Declaration - I swear or affirm that: • I will have resided in the State and county • I understand that any false or fraudulent am a U.S. Citizen at least 30 days before the next election registration may subject me to a fine of up I live at the above home address am not on parole, probation or serving a to $15,000, imprisonment up to 5 years, or I am at least 17 years old, and understand sentence due to a conviction for an indictable both pursuant to R.S. 19:34-1 that I may not vote until reaching the age of 18 offense under any federat or state laws

Signature of Registrant: Sign or mark and date on lines below x (MM / DD / YYYY)

If applicant is unable to complete this form, print the name and address of individual who completed this form. Name Address

Important Instructions for sections 7, 8, 13 and 14

7)  Registrants who are submitting this form by mail and are registering to vote for the first time: If you do not supply any of the information required by section 7, or the information you provide cannot be verified, you will be asked to provide a COPY of a current and valid photo ID, or a document with your name and current address on it to avoid having to provide identification at the polling place. Note: ID Numbers are Confidential and will not be released by any governmental agency. Any person who uses such numbers illegally shall be subject to criminal penalties.

8)  If you are homeless, you may complete section 8 by providing a contact point or the location where you spend most of your time.

13) You may declare a political party affiliation or you may declare to be unaffiliated, regardless of any prior party affiliation. If you are a previously affiliated voter who wants to change political party affiliation or become unaffiliated, you must file this form no later than 55 days before the primary election in order to vote in the primary election. Completing section 13 is OPTIONAL and will not affect the acceptance of your voter registration application.

14) If you wish to receive a Mail-ln Ballot for all future elections, mark the appropriate box in section 14. You will continue to receive Mail-ln Ballots for all future elections until you request otherwise in writing to your County Clerk's office.

Need More Information? Check boxes below if you would like to receive more information about:

a voting by mail      a polling place accessibility             C] voting if you have a disability, including visual impairment a becoming a poll worker a available election materials in this alternative language:

                NJ DEvlsion               • 08124/18

Voter Registration Information

You can register to vote if:

•You are a United- States citizenv

You are at least 17 years of age. *

You will be a resident of the State and county 30 days before the election.

You are NOT currently serving a sentence, probation or parole because of a felony conviction.

*You may register to vote if you are at least 17 years old but cannot vote until reaching the age of 18.

Registration Deadline: 21 days before an election

Your County Commissioner of Registration will notify you if your application is accepted.

If it is not accepted, you will be notified on how to complete and/or correct the application.

Questions? visit Elections.NJ.gov or call toll-free 1-877-NJVOTER (1-877-658-6837)

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE

SOMERSET COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION 20 GROVE ST

PO BOX 3000

SOMERVILLE NJ 08876-9897

Important: Print out at 100% - DO NOT REDUCE. Fold as illustrated to ensure proper mailing.

                               fold bottom up                                   Tape top shut

68 Voter Registration Application

Please print clearly in ink. All information is required unless marked optional.

 

I Check all boxes that apply: C] New Registration D Name Change a Political Party Affiliation a Address Change a Signature Update a Vote By Mail

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

2 Are you a U.S. Citizen? n Yes          No (If No, DO NOT complete this form)

3 Are you at least 17 years of age? n Yes           No (If No, DO NOT complete this form)

Clerk

4 Last Name

First Name

Middle Name or Initial

Suffix (Jr., sr., 111)

Registration #

5 Date of Birth (MM/ DD                      1

6 Gender (Optional) [7 Female                Mate

ffice Time Stamp a by mail a in person

7 NJ Driveds License Number or MVC Non-driver ID Number "l swear or affirm that I DO NOT have a NJ Driver's License,

If you DO NOT have a NJ Driver's License or MVC Non-Driver ID, provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number.

MVC Non-driver ID or a Social Security Number."

Home     8      Address (DO NOT use PO Box)

Apt.

Municipality (Citynown)

County

State

Zip Code

Mailing Address (If different from Home Address) 9

Apt.

Municipality (City/Town)

County

State

Zip Code

Last Address Registered to Vote (DONOTusePOBox) 10

Apt.

Municipality (City/Town)

County

State

Zip Code

11 Former Name if Making Name Change

12 Day Phone Number (Optional) E-Mail Address (Optional)

13 Do you wish to declare a political party affiliation? a Yes, the party name is (Optional)

14 Request for Mail-ln Ballot for all future elections (Optional) a I wish to receive a Mail-ln Ballot for all future elections until I request otherwise in writing to the County Clerk's office. D Mail my ballot to the following address if different from Mailing Address above.

Mailing Address if different from above

Apt.

Municipality (City/Town)

State

Zip Code

Declaration I swear or affirm that:                         I will have resided in the State end county       • I understand that any false or fraudulent • I am a U.S. Citizen                                                                at least 30 days before the next election                         registration may subject me to a fine of up     I live at the above home address                       I am not on parole, probation or serving a            to $15,000, imprisonment up to 5 years, or I am at least 17 years old, and understand sentence due to a conviction for an indictable both pursuant to R.S. 19:34-1 that I may not vote until reaching the age of 18 offense under any federal or state laws

Signature of Registrant: Sign or mark and date on lines below x

If applicant is unable to complete this form, print the name and address of individual who completed this form. Name Address

Important Instructions for sections 7, 8, 13 and 14

7)  Registrants who are submitting this form by mail and are registering to vote for the first time: If you do not supply any of the information required by section 7, or the information you provide cannot be verified, you will be asked to provide a COPY of a current and valid photo ID, or a document with your name and current address on it to avoid having to provide identification at the polling place. Note: ID Numbers are Confidential and will not be released by any governmental agency. Any person who uses such numbers illegally shall be subject to criminal penalties.

8)  If you are homeless, you may complete section 8 by providing a contact point or the location where you spend most of your time.

13) You may declare a political party affiliation or you may declare to be unaffiliated, regardless of any prior party affiliation. If you are a previously affiliated voter who wants to change political party affiliation or become unaffiliated, you must file this form no later than 55 days before the primary election in order to vote in the primary election. Completing section 13 is OPTIONAL and will not affect the acceptance of your voter registration application.

14) If you wish to receive a Mail-ln Ballot for all future elections, mark the appropriate box in section 14. You will continue to receive Mail-tn Ballots for all future elections until you request otherwise in writing to your County Clerk's office.

Need More Information? Check boxes below if you would like to receive more information about:

 voting by mail      a polling place accessibility             D voting if you have a disability, including visual impairment a becoming a poll worker     available election materials in this alternative language:

                N' Division of            • 03/24/18

 

New Jersey Voter Registration Information

You can register to vote if:

• You are a United States citizen.

 You are at least 17 years of age. *

 You will be a resident of the State and' county 30 days before the election.

 You are NOT currently serving a sentence, probation or parole because of a felony conviction.

*You may register to vote ifyou are at least 17 years old but cannot vote until reaching the age of 18 Registration Deadline: 21 days before an election

Your County Commissioner of Registration will notify you if your application is accepted.

If it is not accepted, you will be notified on how to complete and/or correct the application.

Questions? visit Elections.NJ.gov or call toll-free 1-877-NJVOTER (1-877-658-6837)

 

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE

UNION COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION

FLOOR 2

271 N BROAD ST

ELIZABETH NJ 07208-9867

Important: Print out at 100% - DO NOT REDUCE. Fold as illustrated to ensure proper mailing.

                          fold bottom up