Elections

General Election Information:

Track Your Ballot
Congressional District List (Updated January 2022)
Election Information from Sussex County Clerk

General Election Forms:

NJ Voter Registration Application (Online Version)
NJ Voter Registration Application (Paper Version)
NJ Vote by Mail Application (Paper Version)
Primary Petition for Municipal Office (Download/View)
Petition for Party County Committee (Download/View)

Effective January 2022, Sussex County no longer falls within the 11th Congressional District; It now falls under the 5th & 7th districts. Please click here to review the lists and determine which congressional district you fall into. 

2026 Primary Election Day Timeline:

January 16 – February 14: Nomination of County Board of Election Members
(30 day period before February 15)
N.J.S.A. 19:6-18
*Under current law, the Democratic and Republican parties are the only “recognized political parties in New Jersey”

February 15: Submission of Evening Voter Registration Plan by County Commissioners of Registration to Secretary of State
N.J.S.A. 19:31-2
**In counties where there is a Superintendent of Elections, that office serves as the commissioner of registration; in all other counties it’s the County Board of Elections

March 1: Governor Commissions County Election Board Members
N.J.S.A. 19:6-18

March 1 – March 15: County Board of Election to Organize 
N.J.S.A. 19:6-22; N.J.S.A. 19:6-23

March 12: Deadline for Creating, Abolishing, Dividing or Consolidating an Election District by County Board of Election
(82 days before primary election)
(No election districts shall, except with the prior approval of the Secretary of State, be created, abolished, divided or consolidated between January 1 of any year whose last digit is 7 and December 1 of any year whose last digit is 0.)
N.J.S.A. 19:4-15, N.J.S.A. 19:4-15b

March 20: Secretary of State to Submit Notice to County Clerks and County Boards of Election of Available Offices and Public Questions for Upcoming General Election
(74 days before primary election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-1 

March 22 – March 28; March 29 – April 4: Publication of Notice of Requirements to Vote in Primary Election by County Commissioner of Registration
(Notice to be published once during each of the two calendar weeks next preceding the week of the 55th day before the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-45.1

March 23: Notice of County Offices to be Elected at General Election to be sent by County Clerks to Municipal Clerks
(71 days before primary election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-5

March 23: Notice of Municipal Offices to be Elected at General Election to be sent by Municipal Clerks to County Clerks
(71 days before the primary election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-6

March 23 – 4 p.m.: Nomination Petition Filing Deadline for Primary Election
(before 4:00 p.m. on or before 71st day prior to election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-14

March 26 – 4:00 p.m.: Deadline for Amendments to Defective Petitions for Primary Election Candidates
(Before 4:00 p.m. no later than 3 days after filing deadline)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-20

March 27 – 4:00 p.m.: Filing Deadline for Objections to Nominating Petitions for Primary Election Candidates
(Before 4:00 p.m. no later than 4 days after filing deadline)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-20.1

March 30: Notice of Federal and State Offices to be Elected at General Election to be sent by County Clerks to Municipal Clerks
(64 days before the primary election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-3

April 1: County Committee Chairs to File with Municipal Clerks the Number of County Committee Seats to be Filled at Primary Election
(April 1 in a year which county committee members are to be elected)
N.J.S.A. 19:5-3

April 1: Appointment of District Board Workers by County Boards of Election
N.J.S.A. 19:6-3

April 1: Municipal Clerks to Submit Certified List of Suggested Polling Places to County Boards of Election
N.J.S.A. 19:8-2

April 1: Deadline for Determination of Petition Challenges for Primary Election Candidates
(9 days after the last day for filing nomination petitions)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-11

April 1: Deadline for Filing Certificate to Fill Vacancy of a Primary Election Candidate by the Appointed Vacancy Committee
(62 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-12

April 2 – 12:00 p.m.: Deadline for Municipal Clerk to Certify to the County Clerk the Names of the Candidates who filed Primary Election Nomination Petition with Municipal Clerk
(No later than 12:00 p.m. 61 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-14

April 2 – 12:00 p.m.: Transmittal of Secretary of State Certification of Federal and State Primary Election
Candidates to County Clerks
(No later than 12 p.m. 61 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-21

April 2 – 3 p.m.: County & Municipal Clerk Drawings for Ballot Positions for Primary Election Candidates
(At 3 p.m. on the 61st day before the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-24

April 3: Transmittal of County Clerk Certification of All Candidates to be Placed on the Primary Election Ballot to Municipal Clerks, the County Clerk Shall also Transmit such List, but for Federal Candidates; to Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC)
(60 days before the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-22

April 3: Deadline for Preparation of Official Primary Election Ballot for Printing
(60 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:14-1
*County Commissioner of Registration is to provide notice to the two (2) County Chairpersons of the date to inspect voting machines after they have been prepared for the upcoming election. This date will vary from county to county. N.J.S.A. 19:48-6

April 4: Deadline for Filing in Superior Court to Protect Primary Election Candidate’s Rights
(12 days after petition filing deadline)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-12

April 7: Publication of Notice of Mail-in Ballot Availability for Primary Election by County Clerks
(prior to the 55th day before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-6

April 8: Deadline for Change of Party Affiliation Declaration Forms for Primary Election to be Filed with County Commissioners of Registration
(55 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-45

April 12 – May 11: Publication of Notice of Primary Election by County Boards of Election
(within 30 days before close of registration for election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-7
*Under current law the Primary Election is held only for the Democratic and Republican parties. N.J.S.A. 19:5-1

April 18: Commencement of Mailing of Mail-In Ballots for Primary Election
(45 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-5, N.J.S.A. 19:63-9

May 12: Voter Registration Deadline for Primary Election
(21 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:31-6

May 12: Mandated Evening Voter Registration Available for Primary Election in Offices of County Commissioners of Registration
(optional for Municipal Clerk)
(21 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:31-2

May 12: Deadline for Filing of Challenger Appointments for Primary Election
(Third Tuesday preceding election)
N.J.S.A. 19:7-3

May 14: Certification of Polling Places by County Boards of Election
N.J.S.A. 19:8-4

May 15: Filing of Certification of Accessible Polling Places to the Secretary of State by the County Boards of Election
N.J.S.A. 19:8-3.4

May 20: Mailing of Sample Ballots for Primary Election
(on or before 12 noon on Wednesday preceding the start of the early voting period for the primary election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-34

May 26 – May 31: Early Voting Period
(start on the 7th calendar day before a non-presidential primary election and end on the second calendar day before that primary election)
N.J.S.A. 19:15A-1

May 24 – May 30: Publication of Notice of Primary Election by County Boards of Election
(once during the calendar week prior to election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-7

May 26: Publication of Challenge and Complaint Procedures for Primary Election by County Boards of
Election
(7 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-9

May 26: Deadline to apply for a Mail-In Ballot by Mail for Primary Election
(not less than 7 days prior to election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-3

May 28: Last day for Testing of Electronic Scanning Equipment for Tabulation of Paper Ballots for Primary Election
(A county board of elections may begin opening the inner envelopes for each mail-in ballot and canvassing each mail-in ballot from the inner envelope no earlier than five days prior to the day of the election-June 2)
(notice to be given 48 hours prior to the start of testing)
N.J.S.A. 19:53A-8; 19:63-22 (b)

May 29: Deadline for Application to Receive Primary Election Mail-In Ballots by Electronic Means for Qualified Overseas Civilian and Military Voters
(4th day before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:59-4

June 1 – by 3:00 p.m.: Deadline for In-Person Mail-In Ballot Applications for Primary Election
(up to 3:00 p.m. on the day before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-3

June 1: Publication of Challenge and Complaint Procedures for Primary Election by County Boards of Election
(1 day before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-9

June 2: Primary Election Day
(Tuesday after first Monday in June)
N.J.S.A. 19:2-1, N.J.S.A. 19:23-40

June 2: Deadline for Post Office Receipt of Mail-In Ballots from the Primary Election

June 2: Deadline for In-Person Submission of Primary Election Mail-In Ballots to County Boards of Election and to Authorized Ballot Drop Boxes
(by 8:00 p.m. on the day of election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-16; NJSA 19:63-16.1e

June 4: Deadline for Receipt by County Boards of Elections of Mail-In Ballots by delivery of the United States Postal Service that DO NOT Bear a Postmark of Delivery
(no later than 48 hours (2 days) after the time of the closing of the polls for the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-22

June 5: Deadline for Municipal Clerk to Canvass Statements of the District Board for Members of the County Committee of Any Political Party
(not later than 3 days after the results of the election for members of the county committees are received)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-54

June 8: Deadline for Receipt of Timely Mailed Postmarked Mail-In Ballots to County Boards of Election
(no later than 144 hours (6 days) after the time of the closing of the polls for the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-22

June 9: Deadline for Filing of Acceptance of One Nomination where Primary Election Nominee Receives More Than One Nomination for Same Office
(7 days after election)
N.J.S.A. 19:14-9

June 10: Deadline for Receipt of Cure Form to County Boards of Election
(no later than 48 hours (2 days) prior to the final certification of the results of the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-17

June 12: Canvass of Primary Election Votes by County Clerks
N.J.S.A. 19:23-55

June 15: Deadline for Filing of Election Contest Petitions for Primary Election
(up to 12 days after election)
N.J.S.A. 19:29-3; N.J.S.A. 19:11-1

June 15: Deadline for Municipal Clerk to Certify to County Clerk and County Board of Elections the Names of Duly Elected County Committee Members
(within 13 days after primary election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-54

June 15: Deadline for County Clerk to Certify to County Board of Elections the Names of Duly Elected County Committee Members
(within 13 days after primary election)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-54

June 15: Deadline for Recount Applications for Primary Election
(within 3 days after the certification of the results of the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:28-1

June 17: Deadline for Preparation of Emergency and Provisional Ballot Reports by Each County Board of Election for the Primary Election
(within 15 days after the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:53B-21; N.J.S.A. 19:53C-21

June 19: Deadline for Filing of Acceptance of Nomination by Successful Primary Election Write-in Nominee
(on or before the 7th day following the date of the certification of the results of the primary)
N.J.S.A. 19:23-16

2026 General Election Timeline:

June 2 – by 4:00 p.m.: Nomination Petition Filing Deadline for Independent Candidates for General Election
(before 4:00 p.m. of the day of the primary election)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-9

June 2: School & Fire District to Submit Notice to County Clerks of Available Offices for Upcoming General Election
(on or before primary election)
N.J.S.A. 19:60-7; N.J.S.A. 40A:14-71

June 5 – by 4:00 p.m.: Deadline for Amendments to Defective Petitions for Independent General Election Candidates
(3 days after filing deadline)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-13

June 8 – by 4:00 p.m.: Filing Deadline for Objections to Nomination Petitions for Independent General Election Candidates
(no later than 4 days after filing deadline)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-10

June 11: Deadline for Determination of Petition Challenge for Independent General Election Candidates
(9 days after the last day for filing nomination petitions)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-11

June 15: Deadline for Filing in Superior Court to Protect Independent General Election Candidate’s Rights
(On or before the 12th day after the last day for the filing of petitions)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-12; N.J.S.A. 19:11-1

July 1: Submission of Evening Registration Plan by County Commissioners of Registration to the Secretary of State
(on or before July 1st)
N.J.S.A. 19:31-2
**In counties where there is a Superintendent of Elections, that office serves as the Commissioner of Registration; in all other counties it is the County Board of Election.

July 6: Publication of Notice of Fire District Nomination Petition Filing Deadline by the Board of Fire Commissioners
(21 days prior to the nomination petition filing deadline)
N.J.S.A. 40A:14-72(c)

July 27: Nomination Petition Filing Deadline for School & Fire District Election Candidates for General Election
(last Monday in July)
N.J.S.A. 19:60-7, N.J.S.A.40A:14-71(b)

July 27: Deadline for Secretary of State to Submit to the County Clerks the Statement of All Duly Nominated Candidates for General Election
(not later than 99 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-22

July 30: Deadline for Amendments to Defective Petitions for Fire District Election Candidates
(3 days after filing deadline)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-13

July 31: Filing Deadline for Objections to Nomination Petitions for School & Fire District Election Candidates
(no later than 4 days after filing deadline)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-10

August 3: Deadline for Submission of School Board Bracketing Request Letter to County Clerk
(At least 7 days before the drawing for ballot positions)
N.J.S.A. 19:60-8(d)

August 3: Deadline for Submission of Proposed Amendments to the State Constitution to be Voted Upon at the General Election
(not less than 3 months prior to submission to the voters)
NJ Constitution, Article IX, par. 3

August 5: Deadline for Determination of Petition Challenge for Fire District Election Candidates for General Election
(9 days after the last day for filing nomination petitions)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-11

August 6: Deadline for Amendments to Defective Petitions for School Election Candidates
(10 days after the last day for filing nomination petitions)
N.J.S.A. 19:60-7

August 6: Deadline for Determination of Petition Challenge for School Election Candidates for General
Election
(10 days after the last day for filing nomination petitions)
N.J.S.A. 19:60-7

August 7: Deadline for Submission of Non-binding County and Municipal Public Questions to the County Clerks for Printing on the General Election Ballot
(88 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:37-1

August 8: Deadline for Filing in Superior Court to Protect School & Fire District Election Candidate’s Rights
(12 days after petition filing deadline)
N.J.S.A. 19:60-7

August 10 – at 3 p.m.: Drawing of Ballot Position for General Election Candidates by the County Clerks
(85 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:14-12

August 14: Deadline for Independent Candidates to Decline Nomination for General Election
(81 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-16

August 14: Deadline for Withdrawal of School Board & Fire District Candidates
(81 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:60-7

August 20 – by 4:00 p.m.: Nomination Petition Filing Deadline for New Nomination Petition to fill a Vacancy for Independent Candidates and School Election & Fire District Candidates for the General Election
(before 4:00 p.m. on or before 75th day prior to election)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-19

August 20: Nomination Petition Filing Deadline for Municipal Non-Partisan Candidates to be voted for at the General Election
(on or before 75th day prior to election)
N.J.S.A. 40:45-8

August 21: Deadline for Submission to the County Clerk of Municipal Non-binding Public Questions Adopted by the Municipal Governing Body Upon the filing of a Qualified Petition by the Local Electorate
(74 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:37-1.1

August 21 – by 10:00 a.m.: Deadline to Submit Public Question for November School Board Elections to the County Clerk by the School Board Secretary
(on or before 10:00 a.m. on the 74th day before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:60-4

August 24: Deadline for Amendment to Defective Petitions for Municipal Non-Partisan Candidates to be voted at the General Election
(not later than 72 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 40:45-9; N.J.S.A. 19:11-1

August 24: Filing Deadline for Objections to Nominating Petitions for Municipal Non-Partisan Candidates
(no later than 4 days after filing deadline)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-10

August 25: Last Day Vacancy Can Occur for Primary Election Nominees for the General Election
(70 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-20

August 25: Deadline for Submission of Public Questions (Other Than Proposed Amendments to the NJ Constitution) Submitted to the People of the Entire State
(not less than 70 days following final action of the Governor or the Legislature)
NJ Constitution, Article II, Sec. 1, P. 2

August 27: Deadline for Filling Primary Nominee Vacancy for General Election
(68 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-20

August 29: Deadline for Determination of Petition Challenge to Municipal Non-Partisan Candidates to be Voted at the General Election
(9 days after the last day for filing nomination petitions)
N.J.S.A. 19:13-11

August 31*: Deadline for Preparation of Official General Election Ballot for Printing
(64 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:14-1
* County Commissioner of Registration is to provide notice to the two County Chairpersons of the date to inspect voting machines after they have been prepared for the upcoming election. This date will vary from county to county. N.J.S.A. 19:48-6

September 8: Publication of Notice of Mail-In Ballot Availability for General Election by County Clerks
(prior to the 55th day before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-6

September 13 – October 12: Publication of Notice of General Election by County Boards of Election
(within 30 days before the close of registration election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-7

September 19: Commencement of Mailing of Mail-In Ballots for General Election
(45 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-5, N.J.S.A. 19:63-9

October 11 – October 17: Publication of Notice of General Election by County Boards of Election
(once during the calendar week preceding the week in which the early voting period for the general election
begins)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-7

October 13: Voter Registration Deadline for General Election
(21 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:31-6

October 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Mandated Evening Voter Registration Available for General Election in Offices of County Commissioners of Registration
(optional for Municipal Clerks)
(21 days before election from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
N.J.S.A. 19:31-2

October 13: Deadline for Filing of Challenger Appointments for General Election
(Third Tuesday preceding election)
N.J.S.A. 19:7-3

October 21: Mailing of Sample Ballots for General Election
(on or before 12 noon on Wednesday preceding the start of the early voting period for the general election)
N.J.S.A. 19:14-25

October 24 – November 1: Early Voting Period
(Start on the 10th calendar day before a general election and end on the second calendar day before that general election)
N.J.S.A. 19:15A-1

October 27: Publication of Challenge and Complaint Procedures for General Election by County Boards of
Election
(7 days before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-9

October 27: Deadline to apply for a Mail-In Ballot by Mail for General Election
(not less than 7 days prior to election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-3

October 29: Last Day for Testing of Electronic Scanning Equipment for Tabulation of Paper Ballots for General Election
(A county board of elections may begin opening the inner envelopes for each mail-in ballot and canvassing
each mail-in ballot from the inner envelope no earlier than five days prior to the day of the election –November 3)
(notice to be given 48 hours prior to the start of testing)
N.J.S.A. 19:53A-8; 19:63-22 (b)

October 30: Deadline for Application to Receive General Election Mail-In Ballots by Electronic Means for Qualified Overseas Civilian and Military Voters
(4th day before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:59-4

November 2 – by 3:00 p.m.: Deadline for In-Person Mail-In Ballot Applications for General Election
(up to 3:00 p.m. on the day before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-3

November 2: Publication of Challenge and Complaint Procedures for General Election by County Boards of
Election
(1 day before election)
N.J.S.A. 19:12-9

November 3 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.: General Election
(Tuesday after first Monday in November from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
N.J.S.A. 19:2-3; N.J.S.A. 19:15-2

November 3: 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 Drop Boxes
(by 8:00 p.m. on the day of election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-16; N.J.S.A. 19:63-16.1

November 5: Deadline for Receipt by County Boards of Elections of Mail-In Ballots by Delivery of the United States Postal Service That DO NOT Bear a Postmark of Delivery
(no later than 48 hours (2 days) after the time of the closing of the polls for the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-22a

November 9: Deadline for Receipt by County Boards of Timely Mailed Postmarked Mail-In Ballots to County Boards of Election
(no later than 144 hours (6 days) after the time of the closing of the polls for the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-22a

November 14: Deadline for Receipt of Cure Form to County Boards of Election
(within 11 days after the general election)
N.J.S.A. 19:63-17

November 18 at 12:00 p.m.: Meeting of County Board of Canvassers for General Election
(within 15 days after the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:19-1; N.J.S.A. 19:19-4; N.J.S.A. 19:19-6

November 18: Deadline for Preparation of Emergency and Provisional Ballot Reports by Each County Board of Election for the General Election
(On the day of the certification of the results of the general election)
N.J.S.A. 19:53B-21; N.J.S.A. 19:53C-21

November 21: Deadline for Recount Applications for General Election
(within 3 days after the certification of the results of the election)
N.J.S.A. 19:28-1

November 23: Deadline for County Clerk to Transmit Official General Election Results to the Secretary of
State
(5 days after the meeting of the board)
N.J.S.A. 19:20-6

December 3: Deadline for Meeting of Board of State Canvassers to Certify General Election Results
(on or before the 30th day after election)
N.J.S.A. 19:21-1

December 5: Deadline for Filing of Election Contest Petitions for General Election
(not later than 32 days after election)
N.J.S.A. 19:29-3

December 8: Municipal Non-Partisan Run-Off Election
(Tuesday next after the first Monday in December)
N.J.S.A. 40:45-19

December 15: Deadline for County Boards of Election to Submit Early Voting Plan to the Secretary of State
(December 15 of each year; changes can be made no later than February 1 of each year)
N.J.S.A. 19:15A-1