Voting and Elections Resource Guide
2026 Mail-in Voting Information (Updated 9/17/2026)
Per Somerset County’s Facebook Page:
The Somerset County Board of Elections announced that all ballot drop boxes will be opened beginning on September 15, 2026, to receive ballots for the upcoming November 3, 2026 general election.
“Since the Somerset County Clerk will begin sending out ballots on September 15, 2026, all of Somerset County’s ballot drop boxes will be opened on that date as well,” said Election Administrator Jerry Midgette. “Voters can use the drop boxes to return their ballots up until 8 p.m. when the polls close on Election Day.”
“Voters and residents are reminded that the No Electioneering Zone has been extended from the current 100 feet to 200 feet and the new 200-foot zone will apply to all poll locations and drop box locations. This will improve the voters’ experience while casting their ballots while also minimizing any potential disruption to our voting process” said Midgette
Individuals who do not receive a ballot by October 9 have the following options:
- Visit the Somerset County Clerk’s office at 20 Grove Street in Somerville to pick up a ballot in person.
- Visit an early voting location to vote by a Provisional Ballot.
- Visit your regular polling location on Election Day to vote by a Provisional Ballot.
Additional updates may be available on the Somerset County Clerk’s website.
Menu
Register to Vote
Requirements
To register in New Jersey you must:
- Be a citizen of the United States;
- Be at least 17 years of age; you may register to vote if you are at least 17 years old but cannot vote until reaching the age of 18;
- Be a resident of New Jersey and your county and at your address at least 30 days before the next election;
- Not be serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey or another state or of the United States;
- Not be declared mentally incompetent by a court.
Registration Deadlines
2026 Deadline: October 13, 2026
- In Person: 21 days before Election Day.
- By Mail: Postmarked 21 days before Election Day.
- Online: 21 days before Election Day.
How to Register
Paper forms are available digitally online or you may request a paper registration form at any public library.
Important Dates
Dates below are valid as of 9/1/2026. For detailed and up-to-date information on important dates please visit the NJ Voter Information Portal.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| September 19 | Commencement of Mailing of Mail-In Ballots for General Election |
| October 13 | Voter Registration Deadline for General Election |
| October 21 | Mailing of Sample Ballots for General Election |
| October 24 – November 1 | Early Voting Period |
| October 27 | Deadline to apply for a Mail-In Ballot by Mail for General Election |
| October 30 | Deadline for Application to Receive General Election Mail-In Ballots by Electronic Means for Qualified Overseas Civilian and Military Voters |
| November 2 – by 3:00 p.m. | Deadline for In-Person Mail-In Ballot Applications for General Election |
| November 3 | General Election Day Deadline for Post Office Receipt of Mail-In Ballots from the General Election |
| November 3 – by 8:00 p.m | Deadline for In-Person Submission of General Election Mail-In Ballots to County Boards of Election and to Authorized Ballot Drop Boxes |
Election and Voting Resources
- The NJ Voter Information Portal, in addition to a list of important election related dates the NJ Voter Information Portal allows users to:
- Somerset County Division of Elections, manages countywide voting information.
- Franklin Township Clerk’s Office, manages municipal voting information including a list of polling locations.
- Usa.gov Voting & Elections, is a Federal resource covering basic information about voting and elections.
- Vote411.org (provided by the League of Women Voters), provides ballot information and links to state voting resources.
- Ballotpedia (sponsored by the Lucy Burns Institute), provides information on local ballots including ballot measures and candidate Q&As.