Published November 2, 2026. Tomorrow is New Jersey's general election. For older adults and families, knowing where to go, how to return a ballot, and what assistance is available can make voting more manageable. This guide provides nonpartisan information, not an endorsement of any candidate or party.
Voting is one way citizens have a voice in decisions about public programs and their communities. For seniors, those decisions can touch everyday concerns such as Medicare, Social Security, prescription-drug costs, Medicaid-funded home care, accessible transportation, and community services. Different offices have different responsibilities: federal lawmakers address federal programs, while state and local officials have roles in state benefits and local services.
Older adults bring a lifetime of experience to civic life. Having access to voting helps preserve independence and a voice in the community, including for people who need help with mobility, vision, or daily activities. Each person's ballot choices belong to them; needing care does not mean giving up privacy or control over those choices.
Polls are open Tuesday, November 3, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Check your assigned Election Day location through the state's polling place lookup or your sample ballot. Do not assume an early voting site is your Election Day polling place.
In-person early voting ended Sunday, November 1. The registration deadline for this election was October 13, so this guide is for people already registered. If you are unsure about your registration or have moved, use Vote.NJ.gov to check your record and contact your county election officials for guidance.
The October 27 deadline to request a ballot by mail has passed. However, an active registered voter can still obtain a mail-in ballot in person from their county clerk by 3:00 p.m. today, Monday, November 2. Call the clerk first to confirm the correct office and arrangements. Use the state's county election officials directory for contact information.
Follow the ballot instructions carefully, including signing the voter certificate and sealing the required envelopes. The New Jersey Division of Elections lists these return options:
Do not take a mail-in ballot to an Election Day polling place. New Jersey does not accept mail-in ballot returns there. If you were issued a mail-in ballot but have not returned it and instead go to your polling place, you must vote using a paper provisional ballot. Election officials verify eligibility before counting it. If your ballot is lost or damaged, contact your county clerk about a replacement. Do not cast a second vote if you have already returned your ballot.
New Jersey provides accommodations for voters with disabilities. If walking, standing, reading the ballot, or using a voting machine is difficult, contact your county Board of Elections about accessible voting equipment and polling place access. Tell a poll worker what assistance you need when you arrive.
A voter who needs assistance because of a disability or difficulty reading or writing may choose someone to help, such as a family member or friend, but not their employer, an agent of their employer, or an officer or agent of their union. Assistance must follow the voter's directions, not substitute the helper's preferences. Review the state's voter rights and accessibility resources, or call 1-877-NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837) for guidance.
For questions or a problem at the polls, ask a poll worker, contact your county Board of Elections, or call 1-877-658-6837. These deadlines apply to the November 3, 2026 election; confirm current instructions at Vote.NJ.gov and the state's vote-by-mail information page.
