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Absentee ballots in NY & NJ - Mail in Voting

New York Presidential Primary reinstated

A federal judge issued a ruling Tuesday requiring New York to hold its presidential primary in June and restore Sen. Bernie Sanders and other former presidential contenders to the ballot. Click here for the article in The Hill.

New York State will automatically mail absentee ballot applications to all voters in light of Covid-19 concerns following an executive order issued by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Every registered voter in NYS will receive an absentee ballot application in the mail that includes pre-paid postage

  • Anyone can request an absentee ballot — you don’t have to provide an “excuse” like in previous years

  • It’s still a two-step process: Voters must fill out the absentee ballot application and mail it back in order to receive the actual absentee ballot

  • You’ll receive the absentee ballot in time for the June 23 Primary

  • If you recently moved and haven't changed your voter registration, you need to re-register (more information here)

While the state still plans to have polling places open in June, voting by mail is by far the safest method, since we have no idea what the COVID-19 situation will be at that point. The early voting period for the primary is from June 13 to June 21.The Executive Order is an important step for the election in June, but we still have more work to do to ensure that everyone has safe and easy access to voting in November.Note: CWA represents Board of Election workers, and has requested that Gov Cuomo move the primary races scheduled for June 23 to August to protect BOE workers.

New Jersey

New Jersey primary election day is  July 7. You must apply for a mail-in ballot by May 30.Registered voters who want to vote by mail should mail the application to their county clerk's office. A list of all county clerk offices is here.Applications must be received by the county clerk 7 days prior to the election.Click here for the New Jersey Division of Elections website with more information about mail-in voting in New Jersey.