New Jersey law permits the emailing of Vote by Mail ballots to Uniformed Service Members and their families. Active-duty members of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marine, Public Health Service, NOAA, and their family members may register to vote and apply for a Vote by Mail ballot by using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).  Vote by Mail voting privileges are available to military personnel, their dependents, patients in veterans’ hospitals, civilians attached to or serving with the military, and U.S. citizens residing overseas. A Vote by Mail ballot may be requested by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and mailing it to the Clerk of Passaic County, or fax to (973) 742-5744 or email to ballots@passaiccountynj.org.

An “Overseas Civilian Voter” is a voter who is living outside of the United States and who was residing in New Jersey immediately prior to departure. To receive a federal ballot, the civilian overseas voter need not have been registered to vote in New Jersey prior to going outside of the United States, but must have been domiciled in New Jersey and have possessed the qualifications to register and vote in New Jersey. The overseas civilian voter is entitled to a federal ballot whether or not he or she ever intends to return to the United States to reside.

To learn more about Military/Civilian Overseas Vote by Mail options, click here.

1. You must be a registered voter.
2. Read the County Clerk's Message and Instructions.
3. Fill out and sign application with an ink pen ONLY.  Do not use pencil. 
4. Once you have filled out all of the required information and signed the application where indicated, fold over the application, staple or tape closed.
5. Do not submit more than 1 application for the same election.
6. Mail or deliver application to:
   Passaic County Clerk/Election Division
   Passaic County Administration Building
   401 Grand Street - Room 130
   Paterson, New Jersey 07505
7. DO NOT FAX OR E-MAIL unless you are a Military or Overseas Voter.
8. Please note: a voter may apply for a Mail-In Ballot by mail up to 7 days prior to the election, or he or she may apply in person to the County Clerk's Office until 3:00 p.m. the day before the election.
9. You must apply for a Mail-In Ballot for each election, unless you select to receive a ballot for all future elections.

1. You will receive instructions with your ballot. 
2. You will select your candidates by shading in a small bubble next to his or her name. You must use blue or black pen only to complete the ballot.
3. If you received a mail-in ballot but have not returned the voted mail-in ballot to the County Board of Elections and instead wish to vote in-person at the polls, you will be required to vote provisionally (NJSA 19:53C-3).

4. There Are 3 Ways You Can Cast Your Vote by Mail Ballot

   • Option 1: Mail: Your vote by mail ballot MUST be postmarked on or before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day and be received by the Passaic County Board of Elections no later than 6 days later.
   • Option 2: Secure Ballot Drop Box: Place your vote by mail ballot in one of Passaic County’s secure ballot drop boxes by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Drop boxes are provided by the County Board of Elections, locations are provided here and at VOTE.NJ.GOV.
   • Option 3: Passaic County Board of Elections Office: Deliver your vote by mail ballot in person to the Passaic County Board of Elections Office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Video on How to Complete and Return Your Vote by Mail Ballot