When will nj start counting mail in ballots
In New Jersey, mail-in ballots are already counted, but there are some specific rules and timelines to follow. Here's what you need to know:
- Mail-in ballots are accepted up to 8 days after Election Day: In New Jersey, mail-in ballots can be accepted up to 8 days after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day. This is known as the "postmark rule."
- Counting begins on Election Day: County clerks in New Jersey typically begin counting mail-in ballots on Election Day, but they may not be fully counted until after the polls close.
- Counting continues after Election Day: After Election Day, county clerks will continue to count mail-in ballots, including those that were received after Election Day but were postmarked by Election Day.
- Results are certified by the Secretary of State: Once all mail-in ballots are counted, the results are certified by the New Jersey Secretary of State, which typically happens within a few days of the election.
In the 2020 general election, New Jersey counted over 1.4 million mail-in ballots, which was about 40% of all ballots cast in the state. The counting process took several days to complete, but the results were ultimately certified by the Secretary of State on November 17, 2020.
It's worth noting that New Jersey has a reputation for being one of the most efficient and reliable states in the country when it comes to counting mail-in ballots. The state's election officials have implemented various measures to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the counting process, including the use of secure counting machines and the verification of signatures on mail-in ballots.