League of Women Voters of Northern Valley Provides Voter Resources - Register to Vote in Bergen County, New Jersey

LEONIA, NJ, September 22, 2012 (Press-News.org) The League of Women Voters of Northern Valley (LWVNV) reminds Bergen County residents to vote in the General Election on Tuesday, November 6. In New Jersey, citizens who are not registered have until Tuesday, October 16 to complete a voter registration application. This year, New Jersey implemented the new vote by mail option.

"We urge everyone to vote in the upcoming General Election on November 6 and remind citizens who have not registered to vote to do so by October 16. The League of Women Voters has several resources available to the public on its web site about the voting process, such as the new vote by mail option," said Joyce Luhrs, member of the LWVNV board of directors and public relations chair.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to vote in New Jersey, a person must be a United States citizen, 18 years old by the next election and a resident of the county for 30 days before the election. A person is ineligible to vote if serving a jail sentence or is on parole or probation as a result of a conviction of an indictable offense under state or federal law or has been adjudged mentally incompetent. In New Jersey, ex-felons can register to vote. Any person who is no longer in prison or has completed his or her term of probation or parole can register to vote.

Voter registration application forms are available from the Division of Elections, the Commissioners of Registration office in Bergen County or from each town's Municipal Clerk. The form may also be downloaded from the State of New Jersey's web site, completed and mailed or hand delivered to the Bergen County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections. Faxed copies are not accepted, as an original signature is required to register.

Vote By Mail Application

In New Jersey, any voter can now vote by mail in any election. A voter no longer needs a reason to request a vote by mail ballot, but an application must be completed. To vote by mail, complete and return the application for vote by mail ballot obtained from the Bergen County Clerk's Election Division or at the local municipal clerk's office.

To receive a ballot by mail, the County Clerk must receive the application by October 30. A voter may also apply in person to the County Clerk until 3:00 p.m. the day before the election. The County Clerk cannot accept faxed or emailed copies of an application for vote by mail ballot, unless the person is a Military or Overseas Voter, as an original signature is required.

A mail-in ballot packet will be sent to the voter to complete and return. This ballot represents a vote cast in the election. For further information, contact the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections, One Bergen County Plaza, Room 380, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 or call (201) 336-6100.

League Voting Resources

The League of Women Voters of New Jersey offers additional resources on its web site that will aid voters in understanding the election process. For further information about registering to vote, the application for vote by mail ballot program, or other questions, contact the League of Women Voters of New Jersey's toll-free voter assistance hotline, 1-800-792-VOTE (8683).

About the League of Women Voters

The League was an outgrowth of the 19th amendment passed in 1920 giving women the right to vote. With 800 local Leagues throughout the country, the organization gained prestige by maintaining its nonpartisanship; sponsoring candidates' forums for local, state and national elections; holding registration drives; disseminating nonpartisan information on candidates; and holding public meetings to discuss current issues. League membership is open to both men and women of voting age who support its mission.

The League of Women Voters of Northern Valley draws members from Alpine, Bergenfield, Cliffside Park, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Edgewater, Emerson, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee, Hackensack, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, Leonia, Montvale, New Milford, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Park Ridge, River Vale, Tenafly, Washington Township and Woodcliff Lake.