Because the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic still threatens the health and safety of New Jerseyans, Gov. Phil Murphy on Aug. 14 issued an executive order that makes Election 2020 a mostly vote-by-mail (VBM) event in the state.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO urges all members to know the facts about a VBM election, as per Executive Order 177: Mailing Every Active Registered Voter a VBM Ballot Ahead of the General Election.

Election Overview

  1. The Nov. 3, 2020, General Election will be conducted primarily by mail.

  2. Active voters do not need to apply for a VBM ballot. Postage pre-paid ballots will be mailed to all active voters from Sept. 19 through Oct. 5.

  3. Any new voter who registers on or before Oct. 13 will automatically receive a VBM ballot within 3 business days.

Voter Registration

  1. The voter registration deadline is still Oct. 13.

  2. Online voter registration begins Sept. 4 (www.elections.nj.gov).

  3. Starting this year, New Jersey allows people on probation or parole to register and vote.

Returning Voted VBM Ballots

  1. Voters can place their sealed ballots in U.S. postal system.

  2. Voters can place their sealed ballots in a secure and sanitized ballot drop box. To the extent possible, each county shall have at least 10 boxes in locations readily available to voters within the county.  

  3. Voters can return their completed and sealed ballots to their designated polling place on Election Day (ID required).

Voting on Election Day

  1. Any voter who has not cast their ballot by mail may vote in person on Election Day by provisional ballot only (it may not be your usual polling place).

  2. Any voter who has not cast their ballot by mail may deliver their completed VBM ballot in person to their designated polling place on Election Day (it may not be your usual polling place).

  3. Voters with disabilities may vote in person on Election Day with special accommodations.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO urges every voter to select candidates who share their union values, and to return VBM ballots quickly so that the much-publicized mail slowdowns do not stop their voices from being heard.