Voting in New Jersey, 2026
Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.
Every date, in order
- Tue, Oct 13 · passedRegistration deadlineRegister by Tuesday October 13, 2026, 21 days before Election Day.1
- Sat, Oct 24 · passedEarly voting begins
- Sun, Nov 1 · 5 daysEarly voting endsEarly voting runs from Saturday October 24 through Sunday November 1, 2026.1
- Mon, Nov 2 · 6 daysLast day for mail ballot applicationsMail-in applications sent by mail must be received by Tuesday October 27, 2026, and in-person applications by 3 p.m. on Monday November 2.1
- Tue, Nov 3 · 7 daysElection Day
- Mon, Nov 9 · 13 daysMail ballots must arriveMail-in ballots postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day count if received by Monday November 9, 2026, the sixth day after.1
- Wed, Nov 18 · 22 daysCounty/Local canvassCounties canvass within 15 days of the election, by November 18.2
- Thu, Dec 3 · 37 daysState canvass; State certificationThe statewide canvass is complete no later than 30 days after the election, December 3.2
- Sat, Dec 5 · 39 daysDeadline to contest the resultA contest must be filed no later than 32 days after the election, December 5, 2026, or within 12 days after a recount result.3
Questions people ask about voting in New Jersey
Q. When does early voting end in New Jersey?
Early voting runs from Saturday October 24 through Sunday November 1, 2026.
Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in New Jersey?
Register by Tuesday October 13, 2026, 21 days before Election Day.
Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in New Jersey?
Mail-in applications sent by mail must be received by Tuesday October 27, 2026, and in-person applications by 3 p.m. on Monday November 2.
Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in New Jersey?
Mail-in ballots postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day count if received by Monday November 9, 2026, the sixth day after.
Q. Who certifies the election in New Jersey, and by when?
The county board of elections, sitting as the board of county canvassers with two members from each of two parties, prepares the countywide canvass and sends it to the Secretary of State. The county clerks' transmittal of the official November general election results to the Secretary of State must occur three days after the meeting of the board. The Board of State Canvassers, the Governor as chair and four legislators the Governor appoints with no two from the same party, receives the county results and certifies the statewide results. The State Board of Canvassers meets no later than 30 days after the election, December 3, 2026.
Q. What happens after the count in New Jersey, and when is there a recount?
Recount applications are due within 3 days after certification of the results, November 21, 2026 (N.J.S.A. 19:28-1), and election contest petitions not later than 32 days after the election, December 5, 2026 (N.J.S.A. 19:29-3), which falls after the December 3 Board of State Canvassers deadline.
Q. How long is there to contest an election in New Jersey?
A contest must be filed no later than 32 days after the election, December 5, 2026, or within 12 days after a recount result.
Sources
- Vote.org, New Jersey Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/new-jersey/
- NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
- NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
- NASS, State Election Canvassing Timeframes and Recount Thresholds, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
- Bolts, Who counts our elections, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
- ncsl.org, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
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