New Jersey reminds voters with disabilities of accessible voting options for November election
NEW JERSEY — New Jersey election officials are reminding voters with disabilities that several accessible voting options are available for the Nov. 3 general election, including specialized equipment at polling locations and electronic ballots that can be completed using assistive technology.
The New Jersey Division of Elections announced Thursday, Oct. 22, that voters with disabilities can receive assistance at polling places, use accessible voting equipment or request an accessible vote-by-mail ballot to participate in the 2026 general election.
“Disabled voters in New Jersey can privately and securely cast their ballot in the 2026 General Election,” said Acting Secretary of State Shirley U. Emehelu, who serves as New Jersey’s chief election official and oversees the Division of Elections. “Procedures are in place to assist any disabled voter because New Jersey is committed to ensuring that every eligible voter is able to vote.”
According to the Division of Elections, voters with accessibility needs can receive accommodations at their local polling places or county early voting sites. Special voting equipment allows voters to view ballots on a screen or listen to an audio version to help them mark and cast their ballots. Voters who require assistance at a polling location may also designate a person of their choosing to help them vote.
For voters who cannot complete a paper ballot without assistance, New Jersey offers an accessible vote-by-mail option through Democracy Live, a service that allows voters with disabilities to mark their ballots privately and independently using assistive technology.
To request an accessible ballot, voters must contact their county clerk and explain that they cannot complete a paper ballot without assistance. The county clerk will coordinate with Democracy Live to provide a secure electronic ballot while also mailing the voter a postage-paid return envelope and a certificate envelope.
Voters will receive an email containing a link to a personalized ballot with the appropriate local, state and national contests, along with any ballot questions applicable to their voting district. They can complete the ballot using personal assistive technology, including screen readers and screen magnifiers.
After marking their selections, voters must print the completed ballot and the Certificate of Accessible Ballot Voter. The ballot must be sealed in the certificate envelope, and anyone who assisted the voter must complete the appropriate assistor section on that envelope.
The completed certificate and sealed ballot envelope must then be placed inside the postage-paid return envelope provided by the county clerk.
Accessible mail-in ballots may be returned by mail, placed in a secure ballot drop box or delivered in person to the county Board of Elections office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by 8 p.m. Nov. 3 and received by the county Board of Elections by Nov. 9.
The Division of Elections also said voters who cannot sign or make a mark on the certificate attached to a mail-in ballot’s inner envelope may request a Certificate of Assistor Signing for a Voter with a Disability from their county clerk.
In those cases, the person providing assistance must complete the assistor certificate and the assistor section on the inner envelope certificate, sign the voter’s name and attach the requested assistor certificate before returning the ballot through the regular vote-by-mail process.
State officials are encouraging voters who need accessible voting services to make arrangements before Election Day to ensure they have sufficient time to obtain and complete their ballots.
“We encourage every eligible New Jersey citizen to exercise their right to vote,” said Acting Secretary Emehelu. “Disabled voters should make their plan to vote now and select the option that works best for them.”
Voters seeking additional assistance can contact their county clerk, county Board of Elections or county superintendent of elections. The state also operates a voter information and protection hotline at 1-877-NJVOTER (1-877-658-6837).
Additional information, including contact information for county election officials, is available at Vote.NJ.Gov. A demonstration of the accessible ballot system is also available online.
