Election 2026: Important Dates and Voting Options
The 2026 General Election is approaching, and New Jersey voters have several ways to cast their ballots: in person during early voting, by Vote-by-Mail ballot, or at their polling place on Election Day.
Here are the important dates, voting options, and local information West Windsor residents should know.
Important Dates
October 13: Voter registration deadline
October 24 through November 1: In-person early voting
October 27: Deadline to apply by mail for a Vote-by-Mail ballot
November 2 at 3:00 p.m.: Deadline to apply in person for a Vote-by-Mail ballot
November 3: General Election Day, with polls open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
You can register to vote, check your registration status, and find other election information through the New Jersey Voter Information Portal.
Early Voting
Early voting provides the convenience of casting your ballot before Election Day. You are not limited to your regular Election Day polling place during this period.
Early voting is available from Saturday, October 24 through Sunday, November 1.
Mercer County voters may use any of the county’s eight early-voting locations, including one right here in West Windsor at the Mercer County Library, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road.
Early voting hours are:
Monday through Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The other Mercer County early-voting locations are in East Windsor, Ewing, Hamilton, Lawrence, Pennington, Princeton, and Trenton. Mercer County voters may cast their ballots at any of these locations, regardless of where they live within the county.
Voting by Mail
Every registered New Jersey voter is eligible to vote by mail. You do not need a reason or excuse to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot.
If you would like your ballot mailed to you, your application must be received by the Mercer County Clerk by October 27. You may also apply in person at the County Clerk’s office until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2.
Once you have completed your ballot, you may return it in one of three ways:
Secure ballot drop box: Place your ballot in any authorized Mercer County ballot drop box no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. This is the recommended return method because the ballots are collected directly by county election officials rather than relying on USPS delivery.
By USPS mail: Your ballot must be postmarked on or before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, and received by the Mercer County Board of Elections by November 9. To help ensure a timely postmark, the State recommends mailing your ballot several days before Election Day or asking a postal clerk to manually postmark the envelope.
In person: Deliver your completed ballot directly to the Mercer County Board of Elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Vote-by-Mail ballots cannot be returned at an early-voting location or at your Election Day polling place.
A Ballot Drop Box in West Windsor
Mercer County maintains secure Vote-by-Mail drop boxes throughout the county, including one conveniently located at the West Windsor Municipal Complex, 271 Clarksville Road in front of the Senior Center.
Mercer County’s secure ballot drop boxes are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Completed ballots must be deposited by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Voting on Election Day
General Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling place. You can find your polling location through the New Jersey Voter Information Portal.
Remember that a completed Vote-by-Mail ballot cannot be returned at your Election Day polling place. It must be mailed, deposited in an authorized ballot drop box, or delivered to the Mercer County Board of Elections by the applicable deadline.
Make Your Voting Plan
Regardless of when or how you choose to vote, now is a good time to confirm that your registration information is current and decide which voting option works best for you.
For registration information, polling locations, ballot tracking, early-voting sites, Vote-by-Mail information, and other election resources, visit Vote.NJ.Gov.
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