When multiple elections hit near the same time—as will happen in New Jersey this fall following Governor Chris Christie’s decision to hold an October special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant following the passing of long time Senator Frank Lautenberg—the result can be a lot of voter confusion and administrative difficulties. The visible process before elections starts at least 45 days ahead of Election Day. The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, which covers only federal elections, requires states to send requested absentee ballots to military and overseas voters starting 45 days before an election. Many states, including New Jersey, have formalized the 45-day requirement for the start of mailing absentee ballots in state statute for all elections and all voters. In New Jersey, voters can request an absentee ballot by mail as close as seven days prior to Election Day and in-person by 3pm the day before Election Day.
This fall, New Jersey voters will need to navigate the following confusing calendar of deadlines and voting periods (dates for the special election are listed in italics and underlined):
September 1 – Start of Absentee Voting for Special Election
September 21 – Start of Absentee Voting for Regularly Scheduled General Election
September 25 – Voter Registration Deadline for Special Election
October 9 – Absentee Ballot Request (by mail) Deadline for Special Election
October 15 – Voter Registration Deadline for Regularly Scheduled General Election
October 15 - Absentee Ballot Request (in person) Deadline for Special Election October 16 – Special Election for U.S. Senate October 29 – Absentee Ballot Request (by mail) Deadline for Regularly Scheduled General Election
November 4 – Absentee Ballot Request (in person) Deadline for Regularly Scheduled General Election
November 5 – Regularly Scheduled General Election
Simultaneous Elections in New Jersey | Bipartisan Policy Center
