State encourages use of more absentee ballots

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State encourages use of more absentee ballots

Published: Tuesday, September 30, 2008

From Press staff reports

Election leaders want to remind voters they don't need to go to the polls to cast their votes in the upcoming election.

"The process of voting by mail with the absentee ballot is now easier than ever, and we encourage anyone who is so inclined to do so," said Robert Giles, director of the Division of Elections.

In New Jersey, a voter does not need to be out of state on Election Day - or even provide a reason - to request one.

Officials realize citizens have a lot of responsibilities that may keep them from getting to the polls, Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells said in a release.

"Therefore, we wanted to spread the message that there's a convenient alternative for citizens to exercise their most fundamental rights as Americans," she said.

Voters can download an absentee ballot application online at

www.njelections.org/absentee_doe.html

The ballot must be completed and mailed to the clerk of the voter's county at least seven days before the Nov. 4 election. Voters also may apply in person by 3 p.m. the day before the election.

County clerks cannot accept faxed copies of the application, since an original signature is required by law. A list of statewide county clerk addresses is available on the Division of Election's Web site at

www.njelections.org

You must be registered to vote in order to apply for an absentee ballot. That deadline for this election is Oct. 14.