American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
Election day in 2012 is November 6, here are some important guidelines to remember:
- Registration to vote can be done in person, by mail, while applying for driver's license or ID card, on election Day, or when casting an absentee ballot.
- A student can register to vote at whatever address she/he regards as her/his primary legal residence. This can be school address or home address.
- People convicted of a misdemeanor are eligible to vote. They can vote by absentee ballot if still in jail. People convicted of a felony can also still vote if not currently incarcerated or are on supervised release, conditional release, probation or parole.
- Homeless people can register and vote in the precinct they live and usually sleep (which can be a street corner, a park, a shelter, or any other place.
- A person is required to re-register every time she/he moves or changes her/his name.
- You have the right to be absent from work for the purpose of voting during the morning of Election Day and not be penalized.
- The polls will be open from 7a.m. to 8p.m. You have the right to vote if you're in line or inside your polling place when the polls close.
- You CAN take written or printed election materials with you as long as they're for your own use in casting your ballot. However, you CANNOT wear partisan t-shirts or buttons at the polls.
- Most Voters won't need to show ID at all. However, if you're registering to vote at the polls on Election Day, you will need ID. Also, you may be asked to show ID if you registered to vote by mail and haven't previously voted in a federal election in Minnesota.
- If you didn't bring ID at the polls to register to vote, you can satisfy the identification requirement by having someone who's registered to vote in your precinct vouch for your identity.
- If you make a mistake and spoil a ballot, tell an election judge. You can return it to the election judges and receive another.
Problems you may encounter at the polls:
- If you're not on the voter list, you could ask an election judge to check the list again and confirm that you're at the right polling place for your address. If you are at a right polling place, you could ask for a voter registration application and register to vote at the polls.
- If someone challenges your right to vote, an election judge will ask you to give an oath, and ask you questions to test your residency and your right to vote. If you refuse, you won't be allowed to vote even if you leave and return later willing to do so.
- If someone tries to intimidate or harass you, tell an election judge right away. If the election judge is the problem, call your county auditor or one of the election hotline numbers.
Avoid problems by:
- checking your voter registration status beforehand;
- locating your correct polling place;
- voting early in the day;
- bringing some form of ID, even if it's not required;
- reading instructions carefully; and asking for help.
