Why the Realtor® Vote Matters

By Catherine Best, Director of Government Affairs

As a member of New Jersey Realtors®, you are also a member of the Realtor® Party, which is a nonpartisan organization that advocates for homeownership, private property rights, the advancement of the real estate industry, strong communities, and the free enterprise system. However, non-partisan does not mean apolitical.

The Realtor® Party relies on its members’ active participation at all levels of government—local, state, and national.

Participation in government comes in many forms, but the easiest and most important is voting. Your vote represents your voice and the voice of the Realtor® Party. As a Realtor®, you play a crucial role in protecting the interests of the real estate industry. Voting ensures the voice of real estate is heard by elected officials at all levels of government and gives the Realtor® Party significant influence over laws and regulations pertaining to real estate matters.

Voting is particularly important this time of year as we approach the 2024 General Election on Nov. 5. This year, the president and Congress, including one of our state Senate seats and 12 House of Representatives seats, will be up for re-election, as well as many local offices across New Jersey, including positions for mayor, borough councils, township committees, and school boards. Although much attention is paid to the top of the ticket, it is important to remember action is needed at all levels, as change can stem from any level of government.

REGISTER TO VOTE:

How to Register to Vote:

Each state has its own process and protocols for registering to vote. In New Jersey, the easiest way to register is by visiting the New Jersey Voter Information Portal. There, you can register either online or through a submitted paper application. Regardless of how you register, the deadline for all applications is 21 days prior to the next election day. This year, the voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024.

In New Jersey, there are four requirements all voters must meet for registration eligibility. To register in New Jersey, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen

• At least 17 years old, though you may not vote until you have reached the age of 18

• A resident of the county for 30 days before the election

• A person not serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under the laws of this or another state of the U.S.

If you are unsure of your voter registration status, visit vote.nj.gov.

How to Vote:

New Jersey offers three ways to vote for all registrants: a vote-by-mail ballot, in-person early voting, and at your polling place on Election Day. Specific information for voting method can be found at vote.nj.gov

Should you choose to vote by mail, you must apply for a vote-by-mail ballot by following the instructions at vote.nj.gov or by contacting your county clerk. Once your application for a vote-by-mail ballot is approved, your ballot can be submitted either by mail, at a secure ballot drop box, or at the Board of Elections office. All vote-by-mail ballots are required to be either postmarked, placed, or delivered by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

In-person early voting is a new option available to registrants allowing voters to submit their ballots during an in-person early voting period prior to Election Day. This year, the time period is Oct. 26, 2024 to Nov. 3, 2024. No appointment is necessary when voting with an in-person early voting ballot and you can submit your ballot at any of your county’s designated in-person early voting locations. Early voting locations are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Voting in person occurs at your polling location, which can be found either on your mailed sample ballot or through the NJ Polling Place Search Tool. Voting is open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.