Registering to Vote in NJ After A Criminal Conviction

You can register to vote if:

• You are a U.S. citizen living in New Jersey
• You are at least 18 years old.
• You have been living in your present county for at least 30 days before the election.
• You are not now in prison or currently on probation or parole for an indictable crime.

Note for citizens incarcerated in county correctional facilities

You have the right to vote from jail If you are detained for trial as long as you are not currently serving on parole or probation for an indictable crime. You can also vote if you are doing time for a non-indictable crime or for failure to pay fines.

Want to vote in an election?

You must register to vote in your county at least 21 days before the election.

Already registered before your conviction?

You must register again once you complete your sentence. You can register to vote as early as the day you finish your sentence (by maxing out, or by completing your parole or your probation).

You also must register again if you are moving to a new county. You should fill out a change-of-address registration form if you move within your county.

The State of New Jersey is currently changing some of the requirements for voter registration. Please contact your county election offices for the latest information. Visit the New Jersey Division of Elections' web site for more information at http://www.state.nj.us/lps/elections.

How to register to vote

1. Obtain a Voter Registration form from any of these agencies:

• your municipal clerk's office, or from your county voter registration office, or
• any office of the NJ Division of Motor Vehicles or any Social Services Agency (it can be filled out at this time and handed directly to a staff member for processing), or
• online at http://www.state.nj.us/lps/elections/vote_doe.html

2. Fill out the Voter Registration form, printing in ink,

• your name and address,
• your date of birth,
• check off that this is a new registration, and
• sign it, which means that you are currently "not on parole, probation or serving sentence due to a conviction for an indictable offense under any federal or state laws."

3. You must show or include ID.

Either mail a copy of a piece of ID in with your registration or show it at the polls when you vote the first time. Your ID must also show your mailing address (PO Box not acceptable; you must have a street address).

Acceptable identification can be any one of the following:

• a NJ driver's license with photo and address,
• a photo ID,
• a bank statement,
• social security card,
• a utility bill, an official document addressed to you,
• a school ID,
• your release papers if they show your mailing address.
• Even a retail store card such as a Sam's card with your name and address is acceptable.

No address?

Not a problem. Many local shelters or community service providers will let you receive mail at their address; use their address on the form.

4. Either mail your completed form to the address on the form (no stamp necessary) or deliver it in person to your town clerk or to the county voter registration office where you live.

What to expect after you register.

Sometimes agencies make mistakes. Make sure your voter registration was accepted by the county.

1. You should receive a "voter registration" card informing you that your registration was completed. If your application is incomplete, you will receive a letter informing you that your application isn't completed and what else is needed.

2. A letter may also come a few weeks after the card, asking you for more information, such as a copy of your driver's license or other ID that shows your name and address (if you hadn't sent a copy with your form).

If you don't respond to this letter, you will have to show ID when you vote.

3. If you didn't receive any notice in the mail, call the Commissioner of Registration office in your county (You can find the phone number in the blue pages of the phone book).

4. Shortly before an election, you will receive a sample ballot in the mail that tells you where your voting location is. If you don't receive a sample ballot, contact your county election office as soon as possible.

If you have problems getting information from your county election official about your voter registration information, you can call:

• American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
  (973) 642-2084
• New Jersey Division of Elections
  (800) 292-0039

When do you vote?

There are several elections during the year, including the presidential primary, the party primaries, school board and school bonds, and of course the General Election in November. Once you have registered to vote, you will receive a sample ballot before each election with information about the election, the address of your voting site, and the hours the polls are open.

Voting for the FIRST TIME after your release?

Bring identification with you. The identification can be a social security card, a driver's license, or any official document that shows your name and address, such as a utility bill or your sample ballot.

Problems with voting on Election Day?

If poll workers won't let you vote, you can demand a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot is a paper ballot and will be counted later after the Registrar has verified your voting status. Ask your poll worker for information on how to find out if your provisional ballot was counted during the election. You may have to bring ID to the county Board of Elections to have it counted.

You can also ask to see the election judge for a court order allowing you to vote immediately. Tell your poll worker you want to bring your case in front of an election judge; your poll worker will tell you what you have to do. You will want to tell the judge the reason you should be able to vote; details about when and how you registered to vote will be important for your success.

If you need more information or encounter any problems voting, call:

• American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
  (973) 642-2084
• New Jersey Division of Elections General Information
  http://www.state.nj.us/lps/elections
  (877) 685-6837
• U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Voting Section
  (800) 253-3931