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JON S. CORZINE |
Nina Mitchell Wells |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Press Office |
Secretary of State Annouces Close of Petition Trenton, NJ -On April 6 at 4 pm Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells announced the close of New Jersey 's primary election petition filing period for Democratic and Republican candidates for the office of governor, all state Assembly seats and the two state Senate seats vacated after the 2008 general election. Independent candidates unaffiliated with the Democratic or Republican parties must file their petitions for the general election by 4:00 p.m. on primary election day, June 2. Lists of unofficial primary election candidates can be found on the Division of Elections website at www.njelections.org . The petition filing deadline is followed immediately by a four-day challenge period when any objections to nomination petitions can be filed. Due to the Good Friday holiday, the close of the challenge period will be 4 pm on Monday, April 13. Secretary Wells also reminds New Jersey citizens of several impending deadlines for the June 2 statewide primary election. Changing Party Affiliation For registered voters statewide, the deadline to change party affiliation for the June 2 gubernatorial primary is April 13 - 50 days prior to primary election day. A registered voter not affiliated with a political party may declare up to and including primary election day. “ New Jersey holds closed primaries, which means voters select from candidates within their declared party affiliation. State law requires registered party-affiliated voters who want to change their party affiliation to file with the county commissioner of registration or municipal clerk 50 days before the election,” said Secretary Wells. “This April 13 deadline does not apply to voters with no current party affiliation. Unaffiliated voters may declare a party affiliation at any time, including on primary election day.” Those wishing to change party affiliation may download, print, and complete the required form by visiting the Division of Elections' homepage ( www.NJElections.org .) prior to mailing or delivering it to the county commissioner of registration or municipal clerk. Forms are also available at local commissioner of registration offices. It's important to note, however, that faxed or electronic transmission is prohibited since an original signature is required by law. Vote by Mail Using Absentee Ballot Registered voters may choose to vote by mail using an absentee ballot as a convenient alternative to visiting a polling place in the June 2 primary election. An overview of the process, as well as the downloadable application, can be obtained by visiting www.NJElections.org . “The process of voting by mail with the absentee ballot is a convenient alternative for citizens with busy schedules to exercise their most fundamental right as Americans,” said Secretary Wells. “Under New Jersey law, registered voters do not need to be out of state on primary election day to use the absentee ballot, and do not need to provide a reason for requesting one.” Once completed and signed, the absentee ballot application can be mailed to the county clerk up to seven days prior to the June 2 primary election. A registered voter may also apply in person to the county clerk until 3:00 p.m. the day before the election. The county clerk can only accept faxed and emailed copies of an absentee ballot application from military voters and qualified overseas voters. A list of county clerk addresses is also available on the Division of Elections website. The deadline to register to vote in the June 2 primary election is May 12. For up-to-date listings of candidates, as well as i nformation on statewide election matters in New Jersey , visit www.NJElections.org . To learn more about the diverse array of services and programs offered by the Department of State, visit www.state.nj.us/state .
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