TRENTON – Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Phil Murphy Friday, Aug. 14 signed an executive order to create a modified vote-by-mail (VBM) election for the Nov. 3 General Election.
The order suspends the sending of sample ballots and requires that each county’s elections officials send VBM ballots with pre-paid postage to all active registered voters for the General Election.
Additionally, every voter will have the option to either return their ballot through a secure drop box or turn in their ballot at a polling location on Election Day.
The Administration is working with the Department of State to implement a new online voter registration system where New Jersey residents will have the opportunity to register to vote. The online system will launch on Sept. 4.
“COVID-19 has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, from our health and safety to how we participate in our democracy,” Murphy said in a release. “This virus continues to threaten public health, and with today’s announcement, we are ensuring that New Jersey voters do not have to make a decision between exercising their right to vote and protecting their well-being.”
In order to address the influx of VBM ballots, the executive order will extend the deadline to allow ballots being returned through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) with a postmark on or before Nov. 3 to be counted as a valid ballot by the County Clerk, if received by 8 p.m. on Nov. 10. Ballots without a postmark that are received by the county boards of elections within 48 hours of the closing of polls on Nov. 3 shall be considered valid.
The executive order will also require a minimum of at least one polling place in each municipality and a minimum of 50% of polling places in each county to provide New Jersey voters with access to in-person voting opportunities, including accommodations for voters with disabilities.
All public schools will close for in-person instruction on Nov. 3 to allow counties to use their buildings as polling locations, if necessary.
Polling locations will be required to follow public health standards, including ensuring 6 feet of distance, requiring poll workers to wear face coverings and gloves, frequent sanitization of high-touch areas, and providing sanitization materials to all individuals at a polling place.
