WARREN COUNTY, NJ - Residents of Warren County were able to begin voting early for the November 5th election beginning today through Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Early voting is an opportunity for voters that have not requested a mail-in ballot to cast their picks on a voting machine prior to Election Day. Sample ballots for Warren County residents can be found here.
The Warren County Library Southeast Branch location had a full parking lot, and they weren’t checking out books.
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The lines were long at the polling location in Stewartsville, with people from Harmony, Stewartsville, Pohatcong, Phillipsburg and Washington ready to cast their ballots for the 2024 General Election.
At 11:15 AM when we arrived, over 200 people were lined up waiting to vote, with an approximate wait time of 90 minutes. When we returned after 2:00 PM, the lines were still out the door, but wait time was less than 30 minutes.
We met first time voters, those voting for the first time in a Presidential election and dozens of people taking advantage of early voting for the first time. For many, they were in pairs or families.
For one resident from Stewartsville, she had our six-year-old daughter with her to witness standing in line to vote, and used today as a teachable moment, saying “I want my daughter to understand It's important to vote. It’s important every year, and bringing her along shows her the importance of participating in the process and and how democracy works”.
Others who traveled from Washington have been voting since they were able to also serve as poll workers. Noting, this turnout is the largest she has seen since 2016. Her son was voting for just the second time, but his first Presidential election, and he was pretty excited.
Political themed cars and vans could be seen driving through the lot to assess voter lines, with campaign signs decorating every square inch of space.
And yes, a handful of folks did show up with the candidate of choice for President apparel, which the poll workers noted would be addressed before they entered the poll location.
Four machines were in service at 2:45 PM and the workers were quick to verify signatures, birthdates, addresses and correct ballot information.
Warren County Clerk Holley Mackey the following in a post on social media
“ If you have not received your Vote by Mail ballot or wish to apply for a Vote by Mail Ballot, we must receive your application by Tuesday, October 29th in order for you to receive your ballot in time.
As always, our office is open for walk-in, voting on a PAPER ballot M-F 8am to 4:30pm and on Saturday, November 2nd as listed below.
Sample ballots are on the website if you have not yet received one. https://www.warrencountyvotes.com/elections/sample-ballots
If you have any questions, please contact us at 908-475-6211 or via message here on Facebook and we will do our best to help you. “
The voter turnout for Warren County in the 2020 Presidential Election was 71.79% according to Warren County’s final report, which was better than 2016 which was reported as 65.03%.
The hours of early voting during Oct. 26 to Nov. 3 are as follows:
Any voter of Warren County can go to any of the following three locations during the times listed above:
Read our preview story, What Warren County Residents Should Know — Early Voting in NJ Begins Tomorrow, to learn more about where, when and voter protections in place for this years election.