Letter to the Editor: League of Women Voters Warns Against Misinformation

To the Editor,

With the voter registration deadline fast approaching on October 16, the League of Women Voters of East Windsor-Hightstown wishes to warn voters to be wary of a widely circulated email that falsely claims that voters who have not voted since 2008 are no longer registered. Additionally, the League of Women Voters of New Jersey has witnessed a rise of New Jersey voters confused about voter identification requirements.

The League of Women Voters of East Windsor-Hightstown is seriously concerned about the amount of incorrect information being circulated to voters. This type of false information has the potential to disenfranchise eligible voters and must be corrected. The League does not want to see even one voter stay at home on Election Day because of this type of misinformation.

Here are the facts:

You have to re-register if you have changed your name or address or upon completion of a jail sentence, parole or probation because of a felony conviction. Additionally, if you are unsure if you are registered to vote you can find that information quickly and easily using the call number for all county clerks at 1-877-NJVOTER (1-877-658-6837), the NJ Division of Election’s website, or through the League of Women Voters of New Jersey’s website. If you are not registered to vote, you can find voter registration forms available for download either website.

The deadline to register is Tuesday, October 16.

At least 34 states have introduced legislation that would require voters to show photo identification in order to vote, and an additional four states have introduced legislation requesting that voters show photo identification to register or to vote. These restrictive voter id requirements would disenfranchise many elderly, minority, and low-income voters.

In New Jersey, it is only permissible for a poll worker to ask a newly-registered voter to present  identification if that voter did not provide the required identification information on the original registration form, or if the identification information was indicated on the form but could not be verified. Information about ID requirements is available on the League of Women Voters of New Jersey’s website.

The League of Women Voters has a number of resources available on their website where voters can find reliable information. Information includes voters’ bill of rights cards, produced in partnership with the ACLU-NJ, voter registration forms, vote by mail ballot applications, information to find a polling place, a video for first time voters produced in partnership with the Hall Institute of Public Policy-NJ, voters guides that provide information about candidates, and answers to frequently asked questions. 

On Election Day, November 6, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., the League of Women Voters of New Jersey will staff its toll-free voter assistance Hotline to answer questions from voters and offer assistance with problems they may encounter at the polls. The Hotline is open year-round during regular business hours to address questions from the public. The number is 1-800-792-VOTE (8683).

Remember to vote on November 6.

-Deborah Macmillan

President, League of Women Voters of East Windsor-Hightstown

The League of Women Voters of New Jersey is a non-partisan political organization that was founded in April 1920 as a successor to the New Jersey Woman Suffrage Association. Today the League encourages informed and active participation in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The goal of the League of Women Voters is to empower citizens to shape better communities worldwide.