The polls are now open for Primary Day 2022 in New Jersey.
Races for the major-party nominations for all 12 of the state’s seats in the US House of Representatives top the ballot. There are also some local breeds.
Here’s what you need to know:
WHEN ARE POLLS OPEN?
Polls across New Jersey are open from 6 am to 8 pm Tuesday. As long as you are in line by 8 pm, you are allowed to vote. The same goes for if you’re dropping off a vote-by-mail ballot in a dropbox. The dropboxes are locked at 8 pm, but if there’s a line at that time you’ll be able to drop your bundle in the box.
WHO CAN VOTE?
You need to be a registered member of a political party to vote in a primary election, whether it be Democratic, Republican, or third party. The deadline to switch parties has passed.
But there’s a caveat: Unaffiliated registered voters can cast ballots by walking into a polling station and ask for a ballot.
That, however, means you’re now a member of that party unless you later re-register as an unaffiliated voter or a member of another political party.
Check here to see if you’re registered.
WHERE IS MY POLLING PLACE?
Your polling place is assigned based on your address. Click here and plug in your address to find where you vote.
HOW CAN I VOTE?
You can either vote in person on traditional machines or drop off a mail ballot at your county’s Board of Elections office or one of the hundreds of drop boxes across the state by 8 pm
But it’s important to remember that mail-in-ballots need to be put in boxes located within the county where you’re registered to vote. If you drop yours off in a box outside of where you’re registered — maybe because you see a dropbox on your commute to work — your vote will most likely not be counted, election officials have warned.
Here’s a complete list of drop box locations. If you have questions, check your county website.
After returning a ballot, you can check on its status at the state’s Track My Ballot website.
WHO’S ON THE BALLOT?
The biggest races involve the US House, though there are some local contests as well. There is no US Senate race on the ballot this year.
All 12 House seats are up for grabs, 10 of which currently are held by Democrats and two by Republicans.
Only one incumbent is not seeking re-election: Rep. Albio Sires, D-8th Dist., who is retiring. Rob Menendez, son of US Sen. Robert Menendez, has swamped his primary opponents in fundraising and endorsements as he seeks the seat.
Today’s races will determine who wins the Democratic and Republican nominations to life for the 12 House seats in November’s general election.
WHERE IS MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT?
The state’s independent redistricting commission redrew the congressional lines to reflect population changes under the 2020 census, shifting 1.4 million New Jerseyans to a different district. Click here to see your district.
WHAT IF THERE’S A PROBLEM AT THE POLLS?
The New Jersey Secretary of State serves as the state’s chief election official. If you have concerns about voting and elections, call the state Division of Elections’ voting information and assistance line at 877-NJVOTER (877-658-6837).
Separately, the state Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability investigates public corruption and election crimes. To report a potential crime, call 844-OPIA-TIPS. The Attorney General’s office has an anti-corruption reward program that will offer a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to a conviction for a crime involving public corruption. For more details, see http://nj.gov/oag/corruption/reward.html.
WHERE CAN I FIND RESULTS?
There will be results and full coverage for all key races after the polls close on NJ.com.
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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @johnsb01.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @JDSalant.