Tomorrow is Election Day; Here are Some Voting Tips

By • Nov 2nd, 2009 • Category: Blog, News, Politics

The polls will be open tomorrow from 6 am to 8 pm. The state Division of Elections suggests voting during off-peak hours (between 10 am and 3 pm) if at all possible, in order to avoid potential lines at the polls.

You still can avoid the polls altogether by applying in person for a vote by mail application to the Hudson County Clerk until 3 pm the day before the election (that’s today). To do so, visit the clerk’s office at its new location on the 4th floor of Hudson County Plaza, (257 Cornelison Ave.) before 3 pm today. You’ll submit an application (check it out here) and receive the vote by mail ballot, which then has to be delivered to the Board of Elections (located down the hall from the clerk’s office) no later than 8 pm on election day.

How do I find my polling place?

Your polling place is listed on the sample ballot you should have received via mail; alternatively, you can find it on this website.

Do I have to show ID?

You need to provide ID if you are a first-time voter who registered by mail and did not provide proper identification or the information you provided could not be verified.

How do I know if the machine counted my vote?

If you’re not sure whether your vote was counted, ask a poll worker for help. Make sure that you press large “X” to the bottom right after you make your selections to register your vote on the machine. You may only vote on an emergency paper ballot if the poll worker has determined that the machine is malfunctioning.

What if my right to vote is challenged by an official challenger?

Ask the poll worker for an affidavit, which you will sign to confirm your identity or address. The worker will then allow you to vote either on the machine or by a provisional ballot.

You have the right to cast a provisional ballot if:

  • You believe you are entitled to vote but your name is not on the poll list of voters.
  • You have moved recently within your county and have not registered at your new address.
  • You are a first-time voter and you did not provide the accepted form of ID when you registered to vote and did not bring it on Election Day. (In this instance, you must bring acceptable ID to the county clerk within 48 hours of voting for your provisional ballot to be counted.)
  • You requested a mail-in ballot but didn’t receive it in time.

If you are still not allowed to vote, you have the right to present your case to an election judge on Election Day who will determine your eligibility to vote. For more on that process, check out this PDF.

If you have any problems at the polls or questions about the process, you can call the NJ ACLU and League of Women Voters’ Voter Protection Hotline at 1-800-792-VOTE (8683).

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is the founding editor of the Jersey City Independent; he now works for a public-policy nonprofit in Trenton.
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