FAQ for Student Voters.
It’s Time to Vote! Now what do I do?
We want to celebrate first-time voters! Please tag us in your social media pics! @prepare2vote
Have some new voter jitters? Here’s how you can prepare.
Next, if you already registered, confirm it online.
If you don’t see what you think you should, call your County Elections Office.
Currently, you do not need to show ID at the polls. But if you are a first-time voter, you might. Be prepared and bring any of these documents, just in case:
your sample ballot for scanning,
or a state issued or student photo ID,
or a current document with your name and address like a bank statement.
And don't leave without voting. Posted at every polling location is the Voter Hotline. Call. There are attorneys and judges at the ready to help on election day. You might have to vote by provisional ballot. It’s ok. Just do it.
For more on your rights NJ ACLU
Get registered!
For the Primary, register by May 12.
For the General, register by Oct. 13
You can register at 17, and vote when you turn 18. So if you’re 18 on Election Day or any time before, congratulations! This is your year to vote!
If you are thinking about getting registered where you go to college, STOP. Check election laws and residency requirements in that state. For instance in New Jersey you have to be a resident for 30 days prior to the election. Don’t miss out. Register where you know you can vote.
What if I am leaving for college or moving away?
New Jersey makes voting easy. You can vote by mail, or early in-person for at least a week prior to election day if you won’t be home on Election Day.
Vote by Mail - you can check the Vote by Mail box when you register to vote, or if you are already registered, you can apply online or print and complete a paper application (scroll down to find your county) to have your ballot mailed to you. We recommend you complete the process by Oct. 28, 2025 to send the application by mail, or by Nov. 3, 2025 to do it in person at the County Elections Office.
Hot Tip! Vote by Mail Ballots for the General Election start landing in mailboxes about six weeks prior to Election Day! That gives you a big window of time to vote when you’re home.
Ballots start landing in mailboxes about 3-6 weeks before the election, and continue right up until election day. Keep checking your mailbox, fill out your ballot, and mail it, drop it in a Drop Box in your County of residence, or deliver it to your Board of Elections Office.
Vote early in-person at any polling location in the County where you live, including Saturday and Sunday.
Will I need ID to vote?
No. You do not need ID to vote unless you were not able to provide a valid Driver’s License number, a non-driver NJMVC issued ID, or your social security number when you registered to vote.
Hot Tip - bring your sample ballot to the polls. It can be scanned to prove everything polls workers need to know!
For more information on voting check out our Register2Vote page, or contact us at info@prepare2vote.org.