Borough of Tenafly, New Jersey - Voter Registration

The Constitution of the United States, adopted over 200 years ago, guarantees the right to vote to citizens of this country. To be eligible to cast your vote on any Election Day, you must be registered in the town and county in which you live.

To register by mail as a Tenafly voter, send a completed voter registration form to the following address:

Commissioner of Registration
One Bergen Plaza
Room 380
Hackensack, NJ 07601

The following information addresses the most important aspects of voter registration and elections in Tenafly:

School Board Elections are held on the third Tuesday in April; polls are open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Primary Elections are held on the Tuesday immediately following the first Monday in June; polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

General Elections are held on the Tuesday immediately following the first Monday in November; polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Once you are registered to vote, prior to each election you will receive a sample ballot in the mail from the Commissioner of Registration of Bergen County that includes information on your local election district and the location of your polling place.

WHO CAN REGISTER TO VOTE: Any person over the age of 18, residing in the State of New Jersey and the County of Bergen for at least 30 days prior to the next election, and a citizen of the United States, may register to vote.

WHERE IS REGISTRATION HELD: Mail-in registration forms are available at both the Bergen County Commissioner of Registration in Hackensack at One Bergen Plaza, Room 380 and at the Office of the Borough Clerk in Borough Hall, 100 Riveredge Road in Tenafly. Office hours in Tenafly are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Registrations can not be faxed; they require original signatures.

WHEN DO YOU REGISTER: Registration is conducted throughout the year. However, to be eligible to vote in a school, primary, general, or special election, you must register at least 21 days prior to that election.

HOW LONG DOES YOUR REGISTRATION LAST: Registration in Bergen County is considered permanent as long as you reside in the same district; however, if you do not vote in four (4) consecutive general elections, you will have to re-register.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU MOVE: Complete a mail-in registration form (check off ‘new address’ on the form) or obtain a Change of Address card at the Office of the Borough Clerk in Tenafly, and mail it to the Bergen County Commissioner of Registration, One Bergen Plaza, Room 380, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Whichever method is chosen, it must be signed by the registered voter; it can not be faxed.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU MOVE WITHIN BERGEN COUNTY, BUT YOU FAIL TO RE-REGISTER: The National Voter Registration Act ("NVRA"), a Federal law enacted in 1993, was intended primarily to expand voter registration opportunities and to allow for the continued voting eligibility of a voter who was registered to vote in one municipality, moves within the county, but fails to re-register to vote from the new address. This protection applies to any registered voter who makes an in-county move, regardless of when it occurs before an election. On Election Day, the voter can go to the polling place in their new voting district and execute a paper Provisional Ballot by requesting one from the district board worker. The district board worker will explain the process for completing the Provisional Ballot. Following the election, the Commissioner of Registration will amend your voting page to reflect the new address.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU CHANGE YOUR NAME: You must re-register to vote. However, if the change occurs within 21 days of an election, you are permitted to vote only at that next election after signing the register with both your old and new names. You MUST re-register before being permitted to vote in any subsequent elections.

HOW TO VOTE VIA ABSENTEE BALLOT: Application forms for absentee ballots are available in the Office of the Borough Clerk for your convenience. Upon completion of the form, mail your request to the County Clerk whose address is on the front of the form. Absentee ballots are issued by the County Clerk's office. The County Clerk's Office must receive your application for an absentee ballot at least eight (8) days prior to the election if you wish an absentee ballot mailed to you.

If you are unable to comply with this deadline for mailed absentee ballots, you may apply in person to the County Clerk for an absentee ballot up to 3 p.m. of the day before the election.

Please remember that ONCE YOU HAVE MADE APPLICATION TO VOTE VIA ABSENTEE BALLOT for a particular election, you must execute that ballot in order to cast your vote. You will not be permitted to vote at your regular polling place for that particular election once you have been issued an absentee ballot. You can return your absentee ballot in person to the County Board of Elections in Hackensack up until the polls close on Election Day. The Borough Clerk's office cannot accept absentee ballots.

For any information regarding voter registration or elections, please feel free to contact Borough Clerk Nancy Hatten in Borough Hall by calling 201-568-6100 with your questions. Two links you may find helpful are to the Bergen County Board of Elections, and the NJ State Division of Elections.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE !