MOUNT LAUREL, NJ — The 2024 General Election Day is almost here, and it is likely to be a busy one with heavy turnout because of this year’s presidential contest.
Where to vote?
On Election Day, voters should report to their regular polling spot. Voters will find it listed on their sample ballots. They can also search for it online at https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-polling-location.shtml .
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When do polls open and close?
Polls will open at 6 AM and remain open until 8 PM. Presidential elections traditionally feature much higher turnout, which could result in longer lines and wait times compared to past elections. Voters are asked to remain patient while waiting to cast their ballot. Voters who are in line by 8 PM on Nov. 5 have a right to cast a vote, and polling places will remain open until the last voter in line at 8 PM has voted.
New voting machines
Burlington County upgraded its fleet of voting machines this year, replacing its older switch-based machines with new ones consisting of electronic ballot marking devices and tabulators. These are different than the older fleet of switch-based machines, which had reached the end of their useful life after being used in every election for the last 25 years.
The new machines are simple to use and produce a voter-verifiable paper record of every ballot. This is an additional level of security absent from the old fleet.
The new machines were used by thousands of Burlington County voters during this year’s primary election and have also been used at early voting locations since 2021. Regardless of whether you have used the new machines previously or not, all voters are encouraged to watch an online “How to Vote” video that explains the process of voting with new machines. The video is located on the Burlington County Election Services page: https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/593/Election-Voter-Services .
Bring your sample ballot to the polls
Voters are reminded to bring their sample ballots to the polls during early voting or on Election Day for a simpler check-in.
A barcode is printed in the red polling place address box on every sample ballot and can be scanned in on the electronic poll books to allow voters to quickly and accurately check in. If a sample ballot does not scan properly or the voter doesn’t bring the sample ballot, they can still check in the traditional way with a poll worker.
If a voter has any difficulty checking-in at their polling place or their voter registration is incorrect in the poll book, they should contact the Superintendent of Elections at 609-265-5111. Voters should not leave their polling place without casting a provisional ballot and filling out an affidavit, which is used to verify the validity of the voter's status.
Do not bring vote-by-mail ballots to the polls
Voters who received a vote-by-mail (VBM) ballot can return them in one of three ways:
Remember all completed VBM ballots must be placed in a drop box or delivered to the Election Board by 8 PM on Nov. 5. Ballots returned by mail need to be postmarked no later than Nov. 5 to be counted.
Voters who received or requested a VMB ballot for the General Election will not be permitted to vote with a machine during the early voting period or on Nov. 5, however, if they wish to vote in-person, they will be permitted to vote with a provisional ballot.
Disability assistance
Voters with disabilities and accessibility needs have rights at the polls. Accessible voting machines are available at every polling location and voters can request reasonable accommodations from poll workers. Voters who need help are permitted to bring a family member or friend with them to assist or ask a poll worker to help them. Employers and union representatives are not permitted to provide assistance.
Voters who experience accessibility challenges at a polling location or who are having difficulty obtaining accommodations should call the Board of Elections at 609-265-5557.
‘I Voted’ stickers
Voters who cast their ballot in-person during the early voting period or on Nov. 5 will receive an ‘I Voted’ sticker from the Burlington County Election Board as they leave their polling location. Voters who returned a vote-by-mail ballot will also be sent a postcard with an ‘I Voted by Mail’ sticker.
Leave your political attire and signs at home
There is no electioneering permitted within 100 feet of any polling location. This restriction extends to wearing hats, clothing, pins or other materials advocating for a particular candidate, as well as holding rallies, putting up posters or carrying signs that attempt to influence voters.
Residents with questions about the election, voting procedures and regulations can call the Burlington County Elections hotline at 609-265-VOTE (8683).
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