Primary Elections – Held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.  The purpose of the Primary Election is to nominate party candidates who will run in the General Election and elect party members of the State and County Committees.

General Elections – Held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Independent candidates are on this ballot and unaffiliated voters vote in this election. The general election will determine who will be elected into office.

School Board Elections – School Board elections are now held in November at the General Election. 

Special Elections – Held at various times throughout the year. Please check your local newspapers for notification of any special elections.

Ballot Drawing and Placement - The County Clerk, or Deputy County Clerk in the Clerk’s absence, shall draw lots to determine which column the political parties shall occupy on the ballot. The method and date of drawing is set forth in New Jersey statute and must be held at 3 p.m. in the afternoon of the 85th day prior to the day of the general election. This drawing may be witnessed by “any legal voter of the County or municipality.” N.J.S.A. 19:14-12.

Other Information, Timelines and Deadlines

For additional information on Voter Information, Candidate Information, County Information, Election Information, Publications, Directions, and Contacts, please visit the Department of State - New Jersey Division of Elections at Vote.NJ.Gov or  http://nj.gov/state/elections/index.html.   Or, Download the NJ Elections Mobile App on Google Play or Apple 

Yes! Early voting is now allowed in NJ and early voting sites are listed on the County Clerk's Election page or on the Mercer board of elections page on the County website.

You can also vote early using a vote by mail ballot for the General Election!

How do I get a Vote by Mail ballot?

If a voter wants a ballot mailed to a different address, voter should complete a new vote by mail application  noting the mailing address required (in section 4 of the form).  To download an application, go https://nj.gov/state/elections/vote-by-mail.shtml

Where can I get the Vote by Mail application?

All registered voters may apply to vote by mail through their County Clerk's Office. We can send you a hard copy or you can print it out and the application link is available on this page (above). The application is on the NJ State website at: vote.nj.gov in multiple languages.

How can I return my ballot?

After you receive your ballot and vote it, it can be returned in one of three ways.  (1) It can be mailed in the U.S. Mail; (2) dropped in one of the ballot drop boxes which will be located throughout the county; or (3) delivered directly to the Board of Elections office at 930 Spruce Street, Lawrence (next to Trenton Farmer's Market).  For mail returns, ballots must be postmarked by or on ELECTION DAY by 8pm and received within 6 days of the election.

** PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CANNOT RETURN A BALLOT TO A POLLING LOCATION FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Where are the drop boxes located?

The locations of Mercer drop boxes are listed above. Locations can also be found on the Mercer County Board of Elections website  --as the Board oversees and monitors drop boxes. All drop boxes are under video surveillance and are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

How can I track my ballot to ensure it was received and counted?

The State of New Jersey has an online portal for tracking your Vote By Mail ballot. Go to https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/ you’ll see Voter Information Portal and a link to “Track Your Mail-In Ballot". Register and check periodically after the election. The Board of Elections counts paper ballots.

How do I register to vote?

You must complete a registration application and send it to the Superintendent of Elections.  The application must be in by the voter registration deadline.  Or, you can register online! The registration form can be downloaded on vote.nj.gov, or it can be picked up at our office or mailed to you.  A new State online voter registration system is also on that site, allowing you to register to vote online.

Absentee ballot vs. Vote By Mail ballot?

In NJ, there is no difference.  An absentee ballot is the same as a vote by mail ballot.

I want to confirm that my ballot was mailed.

Contact the Mercer County Clerk’s Office at 609-989-6494 or 609-989-6495. Or email Shansen@mercercounty.org or Mercervotes@mercercounty.org

I want to vote at my polling place.

Voters may go to their assigned polling on Election Day to vote on a voting machine. Polling locations can be found on your sample ballot.

Ballot sent to my son, mother, or someone that no longer lives here.

Voter should mark every election piece of mail received that is not theirs, "Return to Sender" or does not live at this address, or "Deceased" or whatever the case. Mercer County Superintendent of Elections is in charge of voter registration.  They can be reached at 609-989-6750.

For Poll Worker questions:

Call Mercer Board of Elections: 609-989-6522, or visit their website for an application to work at the polls.

 Results from the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election can be found here:  Detailed 2020 General Election Results (Official)  Results from other races can be found on our archived pages.