You’re standing in line on a Tuesday in November. It’s raining. Or maybe it’s snowing, because let’s be honest, Jersey weather in the fall is a total toss-up. Your feet hurt. You’re worried about making it to the grocery store before they close. And you keep thinking: "There has to be a better way to do this."
Well, there is. It’s called early voting.
For some reason, even though New Jersey brought in machine-based early voting back in 2021, a lot of folks in our neck of the woods still treat it like some kind of experimental beta test. It’s not. It’s a permanent, fully-functional part of our democracy. If you live in Hunterdon, you’ve basically got a VIP pass to skip the Election Day chaos. But there are a few quirks you need to know so you don't show up at the wrong library on a Tuesday morning.
The Reality of Hunterdon County Early Voting
In Hunterdon, we don't have dozens of sites. We have three. That’s it.
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Honestly, it’s a bit of a trek if you live out in the far corners of the county, but the trade-off is that these spots are set up specifically to handle anyone from anywhere in the county. You aren't tied to your local municipal building or that one elementary school gym down the street.
If you work in Flemington but live in High Bridge, you can just pop into the Main Library on your lunch break. It doesn't matter. The electronic poll books talk to each other. They know who you are and which ballot you’re supposed to get.
When Can You Actually Go?
The 2026 calendar is already locked in. For the Primary Election, you’re looking at May 26th through May 31st. For the General Election in November, the window is October 24th through November 1st.
The hours are pretty consistent, which is nice for a change. Most days—Monday through Saturday—they’re open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Sundays, they close a little earlier at 6:00 p.m. It’s basically designed so that even if you’re pulling a late shift or spending your Saturday at a kid's soccer game, you can still find a thirty-minute window to get it done.
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Where to Find the Machines
You can't just walk into any town hall and expect a machine to be waiting for you. You have to hit one of the three designated "Early Voting Centers."
- The North Location: This is the North Branch County Library over at 65 Halstead Street in Clinton. It’s right there by the park. Super easy to find.
- The Central Location: This is the big one. The Hunterdon County Main Library on State Route 12 (Building 3) in Flemington. If you’ve ever gone to get a permit or check out the Hall of Records, you know the complex.
- The South Location: This one is at the South County Fairgrounds (the 4-H Building) on Route 179 in Lambertville.
Don't confuse these with your regular polling place. If you show up at your local church basement five days before the election, you’re going to be looking at a locked door.
The "Vote-By-Mail" Trap
Here is where people usually get tripped up. If you requested a mail-in ballot, the system marks you.
You can't just decide on a whim to go use the early voting machines if you’ve already been sent a paper ballot. If you show up at an early voting site and you’re on the "mail-in" list, they won't let you use the machine. You’ll have to vote on a provisional paper ballot.
Why? Because the state needs to make sure nobody is double-dipping. It’s a bit of a headache, so if you like the tactile feel of the machine and the "I Voted" sticker experience, don't sign up for the permanent mail-in list.
What About the Drop Boxes?
If you do have that mail-in ballot and you’re just too nervous to trust the USPS, Hunterdon has about 12 secure drop boxes scattered around. They’re monitored by 24/7 video surveillance. You’ll find them at places like the Public Safety Building in Annandale, the Town Hall in Readington, and the Justice Center in Lambertville.
Just remember: you cannot bring your mail-in ballot to an early voting site and hand it to a poll worker. They aren't allowed to take it. You either put it in the mail, drop it in one of the official boxes, or hand-deliver it directly to the Board of Elections in Flemington.
Why Bother with Early Voting?
Some people like the tradition of Election Day. I get it. There’s a certain vibe to it. But for a lot of us, life in Hunterdon is busy.
Between commuting on 78 or 31, dealing with school schedules, and everything else, the 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. window on a Tuesday can be tight. Early voting takes the pressure off. If you go on a Wednesday morning at the Flemington library, you’re usually in and out in ten minutes. No lines. No stress.
Also, the machines used for early voting are the same ones you’ll see on Election Day. They’re easy to use, accessible for voters with disabilities, and they provide a voter-verifiable paper trail. It’s secure, it’s fast, and it’s honestly just more convenient.
Getting Your Ducks in a Row
If you aren't registered yet, the clock is ticking. For the 2026 Primary, the deadline is May 12th. For the General Election, it’s October 13th.
You can register online now—no more hunting for a paper form and a stamp. The County Clerk’s office (Mary Melfi has been running that ship for years) is great about answering questions if you’re confused about your status. You can reach them at 908-788-1214.
Your 3-Step Action Plan
- Check your status: Go to the NJ Division of Elections website and make sure you’re actually registered. If you moved from Readington to Clinton recently, update your address now.
- Pick your day: Look at that window (May 26-31 or Oct 24-Nov 1). Mark a day on your calendar that isn't Tuesday.
- Know your spot: Choose which of the three libraries/fairgrounds is easiest for you to get to.
Getting your vote in early means you can sit back on Election Night with your popcorn and watch the results without wondering if you made it to the polls in time. It's a simple change to your routine that saves a massive amount of stress.