Welcome to our comprehensive guide on elections and voting procedures in Maplewood, New Jersey. Whether you’re a first-time voter or a seasoned participant, we’ve gathered essential information to make your voting experience smooth and informed.

Election Questions

To find where you would go vote in Maplewood, please visit https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/polling-place-search to search for  your polling location based on your address. You can also reach out to a member of the Township Clerk's Office at 973-762-8120 extension 2100 or e-mail LFritzen@maplewoodnj.gov for assistance.

You can also review a video playlist made by the NJ Department of State.

Registering To Vote

To register in New Jersey, you must be:

• A United States citizen
• At least 17 years old, though you may not vote until you have reached the age of 18
• *As of 2024, those who are 17-years old who will turn 18 by the general election can vote in the primary
• A resident of the county for 30 days before the election
• You are not serving a sentence of Incarceration as a result of a conviction of an indictable offense under the laws of this or another state or of the United States.

You are not eligible to register to vote if:

• You are serving a sentence of Incarceration as a result of a conviction of an indictable offense under the laws of this or another state or of the United States.

If you are in college, you have the option to register from your college address or your parent's address. There are good reasons for registering and voting at either residence, but keep in mind, the final choice is yours.

How Can I Register to Vote in Maplewood?

You can register to vote in Maplewood, NJ in person, by mail, or online. To be eligible to vote in the next election, you must register at least 21 days before Election Day.

Where to Register in Maplewood:

• Township Hall (Maplewood) – In-person (online or via paper application)
• Essex County Board of Elections (Newark) – In-person or mailed application
• Motor Vehicle or Welfare Offices – In-person (paper application)
• New Jersey Division of Elections (online)

Registration Links:

• Voter Registration Application - English
• Voter Registration Application – Spanish
• Online Registration

Changing Voter Registration

How Do I Change My Party Affiliation?

To change your political party affiliation, you must complete a Party Declaration Form. You can get this form from the Essex County Board of Elections or the Township Clerk in Maplewood. Be sure to submit it at least 50 days before the Primary Election.

Download the Party Declaration Form

How Do I Remove Myself or a Deceased Relative from New Jersey's Voter Registration Database?

To remove yourself or a deceased relative from the voter registration database, please contact the Essex County Board of Elections. For a deceased relative, submit a copy of their death certificate along with a written request for removal. For personal removal, bring your ID to the office or submit a written request with proper identification.

Contact: Office of the Superintendent of Elections
495 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Justice Building, Room 103, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 621-5061
Email: info@elections.essexcountynj.org

How Do I Become A Poll Worker?

Interested in serving your community as a poll worker? Essex County Board of Elections selects and assigns poll workers. Visit their website for more information on how to apply and contribute to the election process.

Voting

• Primary Election: First Tuesday after the first Monday in June
• General Election: First Tuesday after the first Monday in November
• Poll Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day

Where Can I Find Information on Early Voting in Essex County?

Though Maplewood does not currently have an early voting location, Essex County offers multiple early voting sites. For details on locations, dates, and hours, visit the Essex County Board of Elections Early Voting Page.

When Will I Receive My Sample Ballot?

Sample ballots will be mailed by the Essex County Clerk's Office the Wednesday before the early voting period starts. Make sure to check your mailbox for this important election material!

How Does an Unaffiliated Voter Vote in Primaries?

New Jersey holds closed primaries, meaning unaffiliated voters must choose to register with a party (Democrat or Republican) before voting in the primary. If voting by mail, ensure you request your party-specific ballot at least 55 days before the election.

Military Voters and Absentee Voting

Active military personnel, their spouses, and dependents can vote via Military Absentee Ballot. Visit the State's website to learn more about how military personnel can register and vote by mail.

Where Do I Vote In Maplewood?

Polling Places

1. 574 Valley Street (Maplewood Municipal Building) | Districts 1, 3, 6
2. 60 Woodland Road (The Woodland) | Districts 7, 8, 2, 17
3. 27 Berkshire Road (Clinton Elementary School) | Districts 4, 10, 16, 22
   1. *CHANGED (BACK) IN 2025!
4. 646 Prospect Street (Prospect Presbyterian Church) | Districts 5, 15, 19, 20
5. 120 Burnett Avenue (Maplewood Community Center) | Districts 9, 11, 12, 21
6. 129 Boyden Avenue (Maplewood Emergency Management Building) | Districts 13, 14

Your district is on your sample ballot, which will also note your polling place, or search for it on the State's Division of Elections website.

How Can I Vote If I Will Not Be In Town On Election Day?

If you’re going to be out of town on Election Day, you can apply for a vote-by-mail ballot (also known as an absentee ballot). Be sure to complete and submit your application at least seven days before the election by mail, or by 3 p.m. the day before the election in person.

Important Links:

• English Vote-by-Mail Application
• Spanish Vote-by-Mail Application

You can return your completed ballot by:

• Using an Essex County Secure Ballot Drop Box
• Mailing it to the Essex County Board of Elections at 495 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., Dr. Martin Luther King Justice Building, Room 145, Newark, NJ
• Or hand-delivering it to the Essex County Board of Elections at 495 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., Dr. Martin Luther King Justice Building, Room 145, Newark, NJ.

Stay informed about your ballot's status by signing up for a "My Voter Record" account to track your ballot and receive updates.

How Do Mail-In Ballots (Absentee Ballots) Work?

In New Jersey, you can request a Mail-In Ballot without needing to provide a reason. To apply for a Mail-In Ballot:

1. Use the Voter Registration Application and check the option to vote by mail.
2. Alternatively, use the Vote By Mail Application to request your ballot.

Once you receive your ballot:

1. Look inside the envelope you receive in the mail for these items:
• The ballot
• An inner envelope with an attached certificate
• A mailing envelope
2. Completely fill in the oval next to each of your selections in blue or black ink.
   
   
3. Fill in and sign the certificate, keeping it attached to the inner envelope.
   
   
4. Place the ballot into the certificate envelope.
   
   
5. Then, place the certificate envelope into the mailing envelope.
   
   
6. Return your ballot. How you return it is up to you.

Select one of the following three ways:

• Mail: It must be postmarked on or before 8:00 p.m. Election Day and be received by your county’s Board of Elections on or before 6 days after Election Day.
• Secure Ballot Drop Box: Place it in one of your county’s secure ballot drop boxes by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Secure Ballot Drop Box locations
• Board of Elections Office: Deliver it in person to your county’s Board of Elections Office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. County Election Officials

Once submitted, track your ballot status through your "My Voter Record" account.

Where Is The Maplewood Mail-In Ballot Dropbox?

The Maplewood mail-in ballot drop box can be found at the Hilton Branch Library at 1688 Springfield Avenue.

Running For Office 

State or General Assembly 

If you are seeking to be elected to the State Senate or General Assembly, please go to the State's Website for instructions. 

Local Office

In Maplewood, NJ, local elections are partisan. If you wish to run as a Democrat or Republican, you must obtain a petition from the Municipal Clerk’s Office and collect, at minimum, 75 signatures as of 2025. The completed petition must be submitted to the Municipal Clerk by 4:00 PM, 71 days before the primary election (March 24th in 2025).

For those running as an independent or third-party candidate, petitions are available at the County Clerk’s office, located at 495 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Newark, NJ. Independent petitions must be submitted to the County Clerk by 4:00 PM on June 10th. As of 2025, a minimum of 75 certified signatures is required. 

Election Results

How Can I Find Out Election Results?

Official election results can be accessed on the Essex County Board of Elections Reporting Website. Stay updated with real-time information and election outcomes.

How To Keep Up With Bills And Laws?

Federal

https://www.loc.gov/subscribe

State of New Jersey

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search 

Essex County

https://ecode360.com/ES1525/documents/Agendas#category-172340984

Municipal

For Next Meeting: https://www.maplewoodnj.gov/government/township-committee/agendas-minutes/

For Past Meetings: https://ecode360.com/MA1203/documents/Agendas#category-152474617