Vote 2020

Vote By Mail/absentee ballot/in-person voting FAQ for the nov 3rd 2020 general election

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all active registered Middlesex County voters will automatically receive a Vote By Mail ballot for November’s general election, as per Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 177​. A limited number of in-person polling locations will be available for voters requiring special assistance or for the casting of provisional (paper) ballots.

Who is getting a Vote by Mail Ballot?

All active registered voters will automatically be mailed a VBM Ballot. Inactive Voters need to fill out an application to vote by mail.

Will I be receiving a Sample Ballot?

No, sample ballots will not be mailed for the November 3rd, 2020 General. Copies of Provisional Paper Ballots will be available at the polling location and on Middlesexcountynj.gov/Vote2020

Will I be permitted to vote in-person on the voting machine?

No, you will not be permitted to vote on the machine if you go to your polling place. Voters who appear at the polling location will be permitted to vote ONLY ON A PROVISIONAL PAPER BALLOT.

Is there a deadline to submit a Vote by Mail Application by mail to receive a VBM Ballot back by mail in time for the Primary Election?

Yes, the deadline for the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office to receive a VBM Application by mail in time to provide a VBM Ballot to the Voter by mail is October 27, 2020.

Is there a deadline to request an In-Person Vote by Mail Ballot?

In-person VBM Applications will be accepted by the County Clerk’s Election Office until 8:00 pm on November 3, 2020.

Will I be notified if my Vote by Mail Application is rejected?

Yes, if your Application is rejected, the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office will notify you of the reason(s) and you will be given an opportunity to rectify the issue. Once the issue is resolved, you will be issued a Vote by Mail Ballot.

Can I track my Vote by Mail / Absentee Ballot?

Yes, You can sign into your personal NJ Voter Registration account which can be accessed here to view your status online

OR

Contact the Middlesex County Clerk's Office at: (732) 745-4202

When will the ballots be mailed?

Ballots are expected to be mailed starting September 19th.

Do I have to place a stamp to return the VBM Ballot and VBM Application?

NO. All VBM Ballots and VBM Applications will have prepaid return postage.

How do I return my Vote By Mail/absentee Ballot?

1) Submit your ballot through the US Postal Service

The ballot must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2020 and received by the Board of Elections within 7 days to be considered valid and to be canvassed.

2) Submit your ballot using the secure Drop box

The deadline for delivering your ballot is 8:00 pm on November 3, 2020.

The East Brunswick Secure Drop box Location: Municipal Complex, 1 Civic Center Drive

Drop box located between parking lot and East Brunswick Municipal Complex by the Police Station/Courthouse entrance.

The Drop box is under 24/7 security camera surveillance, and is emptied on a daily basis by one Republican and one Democrat election worker, along with a County Sheriff's officer to ensure security.

3) Submit your ballot in-person

A) Deliver your completed ballot at your assigned polling location (Details TBD)

OR

B) Deliver your completed ballot to the Board of Elections Office up until 8 pm on November 3rd

Middlesex County Board of Elections Address: 11 Kennedy Boulevard, East Brunswick​, NJ 08816 Phone: (732) 745-3471

If someone other than the voter is delivering the ballot to the Board of Elections make sure that they fill out and sign the Bearer Section on the left-front side of the return envelope.

  • The registered voter must still sign the ballot for it to count.

  • If someone other than the registered voter is transporting the mail in ballot to the Board of Elections or the County Clerk’s office either in person or by mail, they are the Bearer.

  • The Bearer must be a registered voter in Middlesex County, and the Bearer is limited to (3) three ballots in one election per NJSA 19:63-4(a).

  • If the Bearer is hand delivering the mail in ballot, they must be able to provide photo identification.

  • Bearers cannot be candidates.

What should I do if I lose my Vote by Mail Ballot, it is destroyed, or if I do not believe I ever received it?

If your VBM Ballot is lost, damaged or you do not believe you received it, you may request a duplicate. Please fill out the Replacement Ballot Form on the www.middlesexcountynj.gov/vote2020 website and submit it to the County Clerk’s Office by mail. You may also visit the County Clerk’s Office up until 8pm on Election night to request a duplicate ballot in person or call (732) 745-4202.

Do all Vote by Mail Ballots and Provisional Ballots get counted?

Ballots that are properly cast are collected and counted. Two common errors causing ballots to be rejected are:

  1. Neglecting to sign the Certification, and

  2. The tampering of the Certificate of Election.

Do Not Detach the Certificate and attempt to tape it. If your Certificate is detached or damaged, request a new Certificate by contacting the County Clerk’s Election Office at (732) 745-4202.

How will I vote if I am disabled?

If you have a disability and need assistance while voting, please contact the Middlesex County Board of Elections at (732) 745-3471.

Reference Links

Middlesex County Election 2020 Website

Middlesex County VBM FAQ

New Jersey Division of Elections Website

MAKING SURE YOUR VOTE COUNTS – AVOID THESE COMMON MISTAKES


  • BE SURE TO SIGN THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE: THE VOTER MUST SIGN OR MAKE THEIR MARK ON THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE. IF THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE IS NOT SIGNED BY THE VOTER, IT WILL NOT BE COUNTED.

  • DO NOT DETACH THE CERTIFICATE FROM THE ENVELOPE: THE CERTIFICATE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE, IN WHICH THE BALLOT WILL BE PLACED, MUST REMAIN ON THE ENVELOPE. THE CERTIFICATE CANNOT BE DETACHED FROM THE ENVELOPE. IF THE CERTIFICATE IS MISSING, YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED.

  • BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE BALLOT: AFTER THE VOTER HAS VOTED THE BALLOT, THE BALLOT IS FOLDED AND PLACED IN THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE. SEAL AND COMPLETE THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE. IF YOU HAVE NOT INCLUDED YOUR BALLOT, YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED.

  • SECURE THE BALLOT IN THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE: YOUR BALLOT MUST BE SEALED INSIDE THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE. THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE IS PLACED IN THE OUTER ENVELOPE FOR MAILING. IF YOUR BALLOT IS NOT SEALED IN THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE, IT WILL NOT BE COUNTED.

  • DO NOT SIGN OR INITIAL THE BALLOT: VOTERS ARE ENTITLED TO THE RIGHT OF A SECRET BALLOT. BY SIGNING OR PLACING A SELF-IDENTIFYING MARK ON THE BALLOT, THE VOTER IS VOIDING THEIR RIGHT TO A SECRET BALLOT. IF YOUR BALLOT HAS A SELF-IDENTIFYING MARK ON THE BALLOT, YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED.

  • BE SURE THE ASSISTOR IDENTIFIES THEMSELVES: IF A VOTER HAS BEEN ASSISTED, THE PERSON PROVIDING ASSISTANCE MUST SIGN IN THE APPROPRIATE LOCATION ON THE CERTIFICATE OF THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE. THE ASSISTOR MAY COMPLETE THE CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE, BUT THE VOTER MUST SIGN THEIR NAME OR MAKE THEIR MARK WHERE INDICATED. IF IT IS CLEAR THAT A PERSON OTHER THAN THE VOTER COMPLETED THE CERTIFICATE, BUT DID NOT COMPLETE THE ASSISTOR PORTION, YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED.


SAMPLE secure drop box and VOTE BY MAIL/ABSENTEE/provisional BALLOTS

Secure Drop Box (Located at 1 Civic Center Drive, EB Police Station)

Sample Vote by Mail/Absentee Ballot Envelope

Sample Vote by Mail/Absentee Ballot Return Envelope

Sample Vote by Mail/Absentee Voter Certificate

Sample Vote by Mail/Absentee/Provisional/Paper Ballot

Sample Vote by Mail/Absentee/Provisional/Paper Ballot (Public Questions)