Everyone must register to vote.  There are three qualifications to register.

 

1.  Be a citizen of the United States.

2.  Be 18 years old or older by the date of the next General Election.

3.  Have resided in the county for 30 days by the day of the next             General Election.

 

How and Where to Register

A prospective voter may register in person at either the office of the County Superintendent of Elections, 60 Broad Street W, Suite 216, Bridgeton, NJ 08302.  A mail in registration form is available from the Superintendent of Elections (856) 453-4850, Municipal Clerk or the League of Women Voters (800) 792-VOTE.

 

When to Register

A person must register at least 29 days preceding an election.  Registration is permanent in New Jersey but one must re-register for the following reasons:

	Failure to vote for four consecutive years.
	Change in name.
	Change of residence.

The exception to the re-registration rule is a move within the municipality or county:

	Voters who moved within the same voting district can vote if the address change is less than 2 years old.
	If the move is within 28 days of an election and within the same county, a person may vote in the former election district for that election only by signing an affidavit at the polls concerning change of address.
	When the move is within the county, even between two voting districts in a municipality, more than 28 days prior to an election, a change of address card (available from Municipal Clerks) must be filed with the Superintendent of Elections.

When and Where to Vote

All registered voters receive in the mail from the Superintendent of Elections A SAMPLE BALLOT containing the following:

	Where to vote.
	Hours when the polls are open.
	Offices to be voted on.
	Names of candidates.
	Public Questions.
	How to use a voting machine.
	Number of the election district.
	Handicap accessibility.

Voting machines are used in all elections throughout the community.  Provision is made for write-in votes for individuals whose names do not appear on the ballot.  The complete election code in Title 19 of the New Jersey Statues is available in the public library or online at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ .

 

General Elections and Primaries

Fairfield holds General Elections on the same date that national elections are held, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.  Voting for national, state, county and local officials takes place at this time.

Fairfield holds Primary Elections in June.  A resident must be registered as a Democrat or Republican to vote in a Primary Election.  Forms can be obtained in the Municipal Clerk's Office.  Party affiliation is declared when voting in a primary for the first time.

Absentee Voting

A registered voter may vote by absentee ballot for any of the following reasons:

1. absence from the state on election day

2. illness or physical disability (including blindness or pregnancy)

3. observation of a religious holiday

4. resident attendance at school, college, or university

5. hours and nature of employment

6. eligibility for Military Service Ballot

7. overseas residence (federal elections only)

Application for an absentee ballot may be obtained in person or by mail from:

Fairfield Municipal Building

P.O. Box 240

70 Fairton-Goudltown Road

Fairton, NJ 08320

OR

County Clerk's Office

60 W. Broad Street

Suite 216

Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Application for an absentee ballot must be received by the County Clerk no later than 7 days preceding the election.  Absentee ballots must reach the County Board of Elections, 60 W. Broad St., Suite 216, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 by the close of Election Day.

Emergency Provisions for an Absentee Ballot

Within the 7 day period preceding an election and until 3 P.M. the day of the election, you may vote absentee in person at the office of the County Clerk.  If you are ill or incapacitated, you may send someone as your messenger with written authorization to obtain your ballot and return it to the County Clerk' office.

Municipal Nominations

Each party nominates its local candidates by petition which must be filed with the Township Clerk at least 59 days before the Primary.  The number of signatures needed on the petition must equal at least 5% of the total vote cast in the Municipality in the last preceding Primary held for the election of that party's candidates to the General Assembly.

A candidate for local office must have been a resident and a registered voter for at least one year before running.  If two or more candidates seek their party's nomination for any office, the choice is made at the Primary Election.

 School Board Elections

The annual Board Election is held on the third Tuesday in April.  As in other elections, registration closes 29 days before the voting date.  Three members are elected each year on a non-partisan basis for three year terms.  The school budget is presented to the voters for approval at the same time.