Do Mail-In Ballots Force NJ Voters To Lie? Here's The Answer

NEW JERSEY - As if the entire issue of vote-by-mail in the upcoming election Nov. 3 isn't confusing enough, a concern in the language used on the primary ballot has voters worried it might be repeated on the general election version.

The June primary election ballot contained a paragraph requiring the voter to acknowledge, by signature, that he or she had requested it. Since the ballot was mailed to all voters due to Governor Phil Murphy's executive order, this was technically asking some voters to lie.

Some voters opted to use a provisional ballot or didn't vote at all due to the language on the primary ballot. One even told Patch they felt voting that way was committing perjury.

Fortunately, the recent legislation passed to codify Murphy's vote-by-mail order cleans that point up. According to Warren County Clerk Holly Mackey, there will be an insert letter, that was created by the state, sent with all the ballots. It reads:

"Enclosed please find your General Election Vote-by-Mail Ballot. Please be advised that P.L. 2020, c. 72 requires you to sign the certification affixed to the Certification Envelope of the ballot package notwithstanding the fact that you may not have applied for this ballot, but instead received this ballot automatically under P.L. 2020, c. 72."

Since the change to this year's election was announced by Murphy, there have been many questions about how the process will work. Below is some further reading on the Nov. 3 election process:

• Here's How NJ's Mail-In General Election Will Work: What To Know

A primarily vote-by-mail election means a lot of changes to election day. See what you can expect this November.

• What's A NJ Provisional Ballot? How Does It Work? Patch Found Out

Those not needing an ADA compliant booth will need a provisional ballot to vote in-person. Here is what that will look like.

• How Are Election Signatures Verified In NJ? Patch Found Out

Voters wondering how their signatures are checked before the upcoming election can see the process for themselves.

• How To Register, Track Your General Election Vote Online In NJ

Need to register for the upcoming election? Want to track your vote once you do? Read on to learn how.

• Key 2020 Voting Deadlines In New Jersey

Here is a recap of important dates to remember with upcoming election, all in one place.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.