Sample Ballot for presidential primary election

- Visit the Passaic County Election Division website to view sample ballots

All Hawthorne voting locations are handicapped accessible  

Voter Registration 

 To qualify to register to vote, one must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• be 18 years old or older by the date of the next election
• have resided in the State of NJ and the county for 30 days by the day of the next  Election.   

How and Where to Register

A prospective voter may register in person at either the office of the County Board of Elections, 311 Pennsylvania Ave, Paterson, or at the office of the Borough Clerk in Hawthorne. A mail-in registration form is available from the County Superintendent of Elections 973-881-4515, the Borough Clerk 973-427-1167 or the League of Women Voters 800-792-VOTE or 394-3303.

Voter Registration Form  

When to Register

A person must register at least 21 days preceding an election. Registration is permanent in New Jersey but one must re-register for the following reasons:

• change in name due to marriage, divorce or by judgment of a court
• change in residence

The exception to the re-registration rule is a move within the county.

• If the voter has moved within the county and has not notified the commission of registration, they may go to their  new polling site and vote by Provisional Ballot.
• When a voter changes his/her name, they may vote by signing both names at the time of voting  

Election Dates & Times  

2008 Presidential Primary 
            Tuesday,  February 5, 2008, 6:00 am to 8:00 pm

2008 School Elections
            Tuesday,  April 15, 2008, 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm

2008 Primary Election
            Tuesday,  June 3, 2008, 6:00 am to 8:00 pm

2008 General Election
            Tuesday,  November 4, 2008, 6:00 am to 8:00 pm 

Absentee Voting

Application for an absentee ballot may be obtained in person or by mail from either The Borough Clerk (445 Lafayette Avenue or the County Clerk.  Application for an absentee ballot must be received by the County Clerk no later than 7 days preceding the election. Absentee ballots must reach the County Board of Elections, 311 Pennsylvania Ave, Paterson by 8 pm on Election Day. Civilian Absentee Ballot Application 

Emergency Provisions for an Absentee Ballot

Within the 7-day period preceding an election and until 3 pm the day before the election, you may vote absentee in person at the office of the County Clerk. If you are ill or incapacitated, you may send someone as your messenger with written authorization to obtain your ballot and return it to the County Clerk's office. 

To Run for Office

Petitions to run for a political party's nomination in the primary election for a local office must be filed no later than 57 days before the primary election by 4 pm in the Borough Clerk's office.  A petition to run as an unaffiliated candidate must be filed by 4 pm on primary election day at the County Clerk's office.  For more information on running for office, contact the Borough Clerk at (973) 427-1167.  For information on running for the school board, contact the Board of Education at (973) 427-1300.