Don't Forget To Vote! : Somerset 08873

Election Day (November 7) is rapidly approaching. Voting is a central feature of our 230 year-old experiment in democracy. Regardless of whom you support for elective office or what ballot initiatives are of concern to you, I urge you to participate in our political process by voting. I am writing to you with a list of some of your rights at the polls on Election Day. This information will help ensure that your vote will count.

Re-confirm that you are registered to vote before Election Day. October 17 was the last day to register to vote in the general election. If you are already registered, and to avoid any last-minute problems on Election Day, call your local election officials to confirm you are registered. (Your local election officials can be found here.) If you are told you are not on the rolls and you believe that is in error, call the New Jersey voter protection hotline at 1-800-792-VOTE (8683) and/or the national voter protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE for assistance.

If you wish, you can vote on a paper ballot in person by obtaining an absentee ballot from your County Clerk before 3:00 pm on Monday, November 6. New Jersey allows you to vote by absentee ballot for any reason. The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot by mail was October 31, but you can still obtain one by going to the County Clerk’s office in person before 3:00 pm on Monday, November 6. You must return the ballot to the Board of Elections by the closing of the polls on Tuesday, November 7. Your County Clerk’s Office and Board of Elections Office can be found here.

If you plan to vote on Election Day at your local polling place, make sure you go to the correct location. New Jersey’s Polling Place Locator walks you through a few short steps to confirm where your polling place is. Just type in your address and you will be provided with your polling place. If you have any questions, you may also call your local Board of Elections.

Bring identification to the polls. Though only some voters will be required to show identification before they vote, all voters should bring ID to the polls as a precaution. The only voters who are required to show ID are those who registered to vote by mail after January 1, 2003 and have not yet voted in a federal election in the County where they registered. Acceptable forms of identification include any valid and current photo I.D., as well as any current document that has your name on it, including but not limited to bank statements, car registration, government check or document, a paycheck, utility bill, sample ballot, non-photo drivers license, or rent receipt. If you do not have any of these items at the polls, you can still request a provisional ballot.

If all else fails, vote using a provisional ballot. If you go to the wrong polling place, or if your name does not appear on the voter registration list, or if you forget to bring ID that is required, you may still vote by asking for a provisional ballot. Follow the directions of the poll worker for casting your ballot, also set forth on the bottom of this link. After the election, you can call 1-877-NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837) to find out if your ballot was counted. If your ballot was not counted, you can find out why it was rejected.

Know your rights, and look for the signs. Two useful resources are the New Jersey Voter Rights handbook and county-specific Voters Rights posters (in English and Spanish). Signs are posted at each polling station to give notice to each qualifying individual of his/her voting rights; explain how to use the voting machines; and provide instruction on how to file a complaint if rights have been violated.

If you have a question...Ask. Poll workers are there to help you. If you have a question on any topic, ask a poll worker for help.

Call for help. Hotlines have been set up by government and non-profit organizations to assist people who feel their rights are being violated or need help with the voting process. These hotlines will be staffed by individuals who can assist you if you face hurdles at the polls. Most will be able to direct you to the appropriate official to resolve problems:

U.S. Attorney in New Jersey. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will have a hotline operating starting two days before the election, on Election Day, and for two days afterward to take reports of election irregularities, voter intimidation or any other activities that interfere with a citizen's right to vote. The number is 973-645-6093.

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Voting Section (1-800-253-3931).

The National Election Protection Hotline. This hotline, operated by the People For the American Way Foundation, the NAACP, and the Lawyers' Committee For Civil Rights Under Law, can be reached at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. It is a national voter assistance hotline staffed by live call center operators who are trained to provide assistance to all voters. Lawyers, poll monitors, and additional volunteers will be mobilized in New Jersey to assist voters in the days leading up to the election and on Election Day.

The New Jersey Voter Protection Hotline. This project of the New Jersey American Civil Liberties Union and the New Jersey League of Women Voters can be reached at 1-800-792-VOTE. Trained volunteers and lawyers will answer your questions and provide assistance.

Voting is fundamental. Bring this guide to the polls on Election Day and use it as a reference for answering any questions you may have at the polls.

Somerset 08873

Nov. 5, 2006 - Don't Forget To Vote!

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