Where to vote, polling hours, identification requirements, mail-in ballot deadlines and answers to frequently asked questions for Tuesday, November 3.
ATLANTIC AND CAPE MAY COUNTIES, N.J. — Election Day has arrived, and voters throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties will head to the polls Tuesday, November 3, to decide federal, county, municipal and school board races.
Whether you're voting for the first time, returning a mail-in ballot or simply trying to find your polling place, South Jersey NewsBeat has assembled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Here is what you need to know before casting your ballot.
1. What time do the polls open and close?
Polls throughout New Jersey are open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3.
Anyone who is in line at their assigned polling location by 8 p.m. is entitled to remain in line and vote.
Voters should allow extra time during the morning and evening commuting hours, when polling locations may be busier.
2. Where do I vote?
On Election Day, voters must report to their assigned polling location.
Your polling place is determined by your registered residential address and election district.
You can find your polling location using New Jersey's official voter information website, Vote.NJ.Gov.
Select the polling place lookup tool and enter your address.
Atlantic County residents can also consult the Atlantic County Clerk's Office, while Cape May County residents can use the Cape May County election website.
Important: Your Election Day polling location may be different from the early voting location you used in a previous election.
3. Can I still vote early?
No. New Jersey's nine-day in-person early voting period ended Sunday, November 1.
Tuesday is the final day to vote in person in the 2026 general election.
Voters who have not yet cast a ballot should go to their assigned Election Day polling location between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
4. Do I need identification to vote?
Most registered New Jersey voters do not need to present identification at the polls.
However, some first-time voters who registered by mail and did not previously provide required identification information may be asked to show identification.
Acceptable identification can include a current photo ID or certain documents showing the voter's name and address.
If identification is required and the voter cannot provide it, the voter may be offered a provisional ballot.
Voters should not assume they cannot vote simply because they forgot their driver's license.
5. What if I requested a mail-in ballot but want to vote in person instead?
This is an important distinction.
If you were issued a vote-by-mail ballot for this election, you generally cannot vote on a voting machine at your polling place.
Instead, you may vote using a provisional paper ballot.
Election officials will verify that you have not already cast a mail-in ballot before determining whether your provisional ballot can be counted.
If you received a mail-in ballot but have not returned it, you can also complete and return that ballot by the applicable deadline.
6. Is it too late to return my mail-in ballot?
No, but Tuesday is the deadline for returning completed mail-in ballots through designated in-person methods.
Voters have three options:
Secure ballot drop box: Place the completed ballot in an authorized ballot drop box in your county by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
County Board of Elections: Deliver the completed ballot directly to your county Board of Elections by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
U.S. Mail: A ballot returned through the mail must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the county Board of Elections no later than Monday, November 9.
Voters mailing ballots on Election Day should be particularly careful about obtaining a timely postmark. Simply placing a ballot in a mailbox Tuesday does not guarantee that it will receive a November 3 postmark.
Using an authorized ballot drop box or delivering the ballot directly to the Board of Elections is a more dependable last-day option.
Do not bring a completed mail-in ballot to your regular Election Day polling place. Poll workers cannot accept it there.
7. Where are the ballot drop boxes in Atlantic County?
Atlantic County has secure ballot drop boxes at numerous public facilities.
Locations include:
Atlantic City — Atlantic County Office Building, 1333 Atlantic Avenue.
Egg Harbor Township — Municipal Hall, 3515 Bargaintown Road.
Galloway Township — Municipal Hall, 300 East Jimmie Leeds Road.
Hammonton — Municipal Hall, 100 Central Avenue.
Mays Landing — Atlantic Cape Community College, 5100 Black Horse Pike.
Somers Point — Municipal Hall, 1 West New Jersey Avenue.
Ventnor — Municipal Hall, 6201 Atlantic Avenue.
Brigantine — Municipal Hall, 1417 West Brigantine Boulevard.
Margate — Municipal Hall, 1 South Washington Avenue.
Northfield — Municipal Hall, 1600 Shore Road.
Additional locations are available throughout the county.
All completed ballots must be deposited by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
For the complete list, visit AtlanticCountyClerk.org.
8. Where are the ballot drop boxes in Cape May County?
Cape May County also provides secure drop boxes throughout the county.
Locations include:
Ocean City — City Hall, 861 Asbury Avenue.
Cape May — Firehouse parking lot, 517 Franklin Street.
Wildwood — Municipal Hall, 4400 New Jersey Avenue.
Villas — Lower Township Municipal Hall, 2600 Bayshore Road.
Erma — Lower Township Public Safety Building, 405 Breakwater Road.
Sea Isle City — Sea Isle City Library, 4800 Central Avenue.
Stone Harbor — Stone Harbor Library, 9516 Second Avenue.
Cape May Court House — County Board of Elections, 10 West Mechanic Street.
Upper Township — Municipal Hall, 2100 Tuckahoe Road.
Whitesboro — Martin Luther King Center, 207 West Main Street.
Other authorized locations are available.
Voters can confirm the complete list through CapeMayCountyVotes.com or Vote.NJ.Gov.
The deadline is 8 p.m. Tuesday.
9. What if my name isn't in the poll book?
If election workers cannot locate your registration, do not immediately leave.
Ask the poll workers to verify your information and confirm that you are at the correct polling location.
If your eligibility cannot be resolved at the polling place, you may be able to cast a provisional ballot.
A provisional ballot is reviewed after the election to determine whether the voter was eligible and whether the ballot can be counted.
Voters should carefully complete and sign the required provisional ballot affirmation statement.
10. What if I recently moved?
Your voting location depends on where you are registered.
If you moved within the same county without updating your address, you may need to cast a provisional ballot.
Moving from one county to another can involve different eligibility and registration rules.
Voters who recently moved should contact their county election office for instructions specific to their circumstances.
New Jersey's registration deadline for the November 3 election was October 13. There is no general Election Day voter registration.
11. Can I vote if I'm not registered with a political party?
Yes.
Tuesday is a general election, not a party primary.
Registered voters may vote regardless of whether they are Democrats, Republicans, independents or unaffiliated with a political party.
Voters are not required to select candidates from only one political party.
12. What races are on the ballot?
Voters in Atlantic and Cape May counties will see a combination of federal, county and local contests.
Major races include elections for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
Atlantic County voters will also decide the contested county sheriff's race between incumbent Republican Joseph O'Donoghue and Democratic challenger Sean Riggin.
Cape May County voters will see county-level contests, including sheriff and Board of County Commissioners races.
Depending on their municipality and election district, voters may also see municipal offices, school board seats and other local contests.
Not every voter receives the same ballot.
Atlantic County's sample ballots are available through the County Clerk's Office. In Egg Harbor Township and Hamilton Township, voters should pay particular attention to their election district because different ballot styles apply to the County Commissioner District 3 contest.
Cape May County voters can consult CapeMayCountyVotes.com for local election information.
13. Can I bring a sample ballot or notes into the voting booth?
Yes.
Voters may bring a sample ballot or personal notes to help them remember their selections.
This can be particularly useful in elections with several county, municipal and school board contests.
Voters should take their materials with them when leaving the voting area.
14. What if I make a mistake while voting?
If you make a mistake or are uncertain how to use the voting equipment, ask a poll worker for assistance before submitting your ballot.
Election workers can explain how to use the equipment without telling you which candidates to select.
If you are using a paper ballot and make an error, ask whether you can receive a replacement.
Do not submit a ballot you know contains an unintended selection without first asking for help.
15. What accommodations are available for voters with disabilities?
New Jersey polling places must provide accessible voting options.
Voters with disabilities can request assistance from election workers and use accessible voting equipment.
Voters who need additional accommodations should contact their county election office.
Information about voting rights and accessibility is also available through Vote.NJ.Gov.
16. How can I check whether my mail-in ballot was received?
New Jersey provides an online voter information system that allows registered voters to check their ballot status.
Visit Vote.NJ.Gov and select the Track My Ballot option.
Voters can also contact their county election office for assistance.
Ballot tracking information may not update immediately after a ballot is deposited or received.
17. Will we know all the election results Tuesday night?
Not necessarily.
Unofficial results may become available after polls close at 8 p.m., but some ballots can still be counted afterward.
Mail-in ballots properly postmarked by Election Day may arrive through November 9.
Provisional ballots must also undergo verification before they can be counted.
That means close races may remain unresolved after Election Night.
Election-night totals are unofficial until the applicable certification process is completed.
18. Who should I contact if I have a problem voting?
Voters should first speak with the poll workers or election officials at their assigned location.
Additional assistance is available from county election offices.
Atlantic County: Atlantic County Clerk's Office and Atlantic County Superintendent of Elections. Election information is available at AtlanticCountyClerk.org.
Cape May County: Cape May County election officials. Election information is available at CapeMayCountyVotes.com.
New Jersey Division of Elections: 1-877-NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837).
The statewide election website is Vote.NJ.Gov.
Election Day: The Bottom Line
For voters in Atlantic and Cape May counties, the most important information is straightforward.
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3.
Check your assigned polling location before leaving home.
Most voters do not need identification.
If you received a mail-in ballot but want to vote at the polls, you may need to use a provisional ballot.
Completed mail-in ballots must be deposited in an authorized drop box or delivered to the appropriate county Board of Elections by 8 p.m. Tuesday, or returned through the mail under the state's postmark and receipt requirements.
If a problem arises at your polling location, ask an election worker for assistance before leaving.
South Jersey NewsBeat will follow Election Day developments and results in Atlantic and Cape May counties.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
