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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding New I.D. Requirements for registering to vote in NJ for the first time by mail
FAQ Index \| Candidate Questions \| Voter Questions
1	When did the HAVA identification requirements come into effect?
2	What is a registration application “by mail?”
3	When is the I.D. required?
4	What does the identification form request?
5	What is an acceptable identifying document?
6	If a registrant provides a driver’s license number or the last four digits of the social security number, does the State have to verify the numbers?
7	Who will do registrant verification of I.D?
8	What if a first-time voter does not provide identification before voting in a federal primary or general election?
9	What if this first-time voter does not show the at the polling place?
10	What if a voter registration form is walked into the county commissioner of registration office by the registrant?

1	When did the HAVA identification requirements come into effect? January 1, 2003. On or after January 1, 2003, any person who registered by mail to vote in his/her county for the first-time, and has never voted in a federal election in the county of registration, is subject to the identification requirements.

2	What is a registration application “by mail?” Generally, it is a voter registration form that is delivered to the county commissioner of registration office or the state Division of Elections by the Post Office.

3	When is the I.D. required? At the time of registration. As of this time, the county commissioner of registration will send to the affected voter a request for identification form.

4	What does the identification form request? The registrant’s driver’s license number, or the last four digits of the social security number. If the registrant does not have such numbers,a copy of an identifying document is requested.

5	What is an acceptable identifying document? A current and valid photo I.D.; a copy of a bank statement, paycheck, utility bill, government check or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. Some examples of a photo I.D. are: driver’s license motor vehicle identification card U.S. passport student I.D. employment I.D. professional I.D. store membership I.D county government I.D. A government document could include a motor vehicle registration, public assistance card.

6	If a registrant provides a driver’s license number or the last four digits of the social security number, does the State have to verify the numbers? Yes. The federal law requires the state to verify the numbers in order to satisfy the identification requirement.

7	Who will do registrant verification of I.D? The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The NJMVC will verify all the numbers provided by the county commissioners of registration.

8	What if a first-time voter does not provide identification before voting in a federal primary or general election? That voter will have to show identification at the polling place. If the voter does show identification, the voter votes in the voting machine.

9	What if this first-time voter does not show the at the polling place? That voter will have to vote by provisional ballot.

10	What if a voter registration form is walked into the county commissioner of registration office by the registrant? That is not a registration “by mail”. No identification is required of that registrant.