The 2010 Supreme Court decision known as Citizens United changed the way election campaigns are conducted. Some even say it has severely damaged our Democracy. In 2014, 36 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the United States, the lowest turnout since World War II. In New Jersey only 20.8 percent of registered voters went to the polls last November, a record low.
Voter registration deadlines are quickly approaching. Information is provided below on the election registration process in the tri-state area. The deadline to register in New Jersey is Tuesday, May 17 for the June 7 Primary Election. New York’s registration deadline is March 25; Pennsylvania’s is March 28. The Presidential Primary in New York will be April 19 and in Pennsylvania, April 26.
Each state has their own set of election laws, procedures and deadlines.
New Jersey voter registration is handled on the county level under the direction of the
New Jersey Division of Elections. To become a registered voter an application form must be complete and mailed or delivered to your county
Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registration.
The voter registration application is available for downloading. To determine your registration status visit the NJ Voter Information Home Page. Applications are also available when visiting an office of the Motor Vehicle Commission or your County Welfare Agency.
New York residents can register with the New York State Board of Elections by visiting their Register to Vote webpage. To determine if you are registered visit their Voter Registration Search page.
Online voter registration has been available in the state of Pennsylvania since August, 2015 under the authority of the Pennsylvania Department of State’s votesPA webpage. A voter can check their status by either visiting their voter registration status page or by calling 877-VOTE-SPA (868-3772).
Remember to register to vote – soon.
Michael Swayze's Community Resources 