The upcoming Primary Election will take place in New Jersey on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. This page is an overview of the 2026 Primary Election, including deadlines, forms, and additional information.

Registration Deadlines

• The deadline to Opt Out of Vote by Mail for the Primary Election is April 3 2026.  
• The deadline to change your party affiliation is April 8, 2026. 
• The deadline to register for the Primary Election is May 12, 2026.
• The deadline to apply by Mail for a Mail-In Ballot is May 26, 2026.
• The deadline to apply in person for a Mail-In Ballot is June 1^st, 2026, by 3 pm.

For more information on how to register to vote, click here.

Vote by Mail

All active Democratic and Republican registered voters who have requested a Mail-in Ballot for all elections or for this specific election, will receive a Vote by Mail ballot for the 2026 Primary Election. 

Pursuant to an updated state law, an unaffiliated voter shall not receive a mail-in ballot for the Primary Election. An unaffiliated voter may still vote in the Primary Election by voting in-person during the early voting period or on election day. 

If an unaffiliated voter would like to receive a mail-in ballot by mail for the 2026 Primary Election, they must declare their party affiliation with either the Democratic or Republican party. A political affiliation declaration must be returned by May 26, 2026, to receive a mail-in ballot by mail or by 3 pm on June 1, 2026, to receive a ballot in-person mail.

If you do not receive your ballot by May 1, 2026, you may request a replacement ballot from the County Clerk’s Office by calling 732-745-4202 or by sending a replacement ballot request form.

To return your Mail-In Ballot, choose one of these options:

• You can mail your ballot using the pre-paid envelope at any U.S. Post Office or USPS mailbox. We recommend mailing it by May 26, 2026, to ensure timely delivery. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. If mailing within a week of the election, consider the options below or bring it inside a Post Office and ask for a hand-cancel to ensure a clear postmark.
• Drop your ballot in a designated Middlesex County Board of Elections’ drop box by 8 pm on Election Day, June 2, 2026.
• Take it directly to the Board of Elections’ Office in East Brunswick by 8 pm on Election Day, June 2, 2026.
• The deadline to opt out of vote by mail for the primary election is April 3, 2026. Click here for the Vote by Mail Removal Request form.

Drop boxes are maintained by the Middlesex County Board of Elections, are secure, and monitored by video surveillance. Ballots are collected from drop boxes on a regular basis.

For more information on how to vote by mail, click here.

Vote In-Person

Early Voting:

In-person early voting locations will be open Tuesday, May 26^th  through Sunday, May 31^st for the 2026 Primary Election. Hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am-8 pm and Sunday, 10 am-6 pm. No appointment is necessary.

For more information on the six-day Early Voting Period for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election, click here.

Registered voters may vote in person on Election Day, June 2, 2026, by proceeding to their assigned polling location. Polling locations will be open from 6 am-8 pm.

To find your assigned polling location, click here.

Sample Ballots

View sample ballots for the 2025 Primary Election. Sample ballots will be mailed mid-May. For the 2026 Primary Election Official Candidate's List, click here.