FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. How
can I register to vote?
A. You
can obtain an application from the Somerset County’s website
(Board of Election’s page); from the Township Clerk’s Office
or from the Board of Election. Return the completed
Q. Do
I need to bring ID with me to register?
A. If
you register in person at the Board of Elections office, you do not
need to show identification. If you are registering by mail, you must
include your driver’s license number or the last four digits
of your social security number on the form.
Q. If
I do not include the appropriate ID with my mailed in registration,
will I still be able to vote?
A. Yes. When
you go to the polls on Election Day, your signature block in the poll
book will have been flagged with **ID REQUIRED**. Upon showing
the poll worker the appropriate ID, you will be permitted to vote on
the voting machine. If proper ID is not shown, you will still
be permitted to vote by Provisional Ballot. You must them provide
the proper ID to the Board of Elections within 48 hours of Election
Day or your ballot will not be counted.
Q. Can
I register my child attending college?
A. You
can forward the application to your child’s college address,
but your child must complete the application, as his/her original signature
is required.
Q. Can
a voter application be mailed to my residence?
A. If you
do not have printer capabilities to download the form from the Somerset
County website, you can email your address to the Board of Elections
and request an application be sent to your home.
Q. How
do I change or declare a party affiliation?
A. You
may download the party affiliation card from the Somerset County website
or email your address to the Board of Elections and request a party
affiliation card be sent to your home. Complete and sign the
form and return it to the Board of Elections.
Q. How
can I find my polling location?
A. You
can find your polling location on our website and on the lower left
hand corner of your sample ballot.
Q. How
long are the polls open on Election Day?
A. General
and Primary Election: 6 am to 8 pm
School
Board Election: 2 pm to 9 pm
Q. How
do I become a poll worker?
A. You
must fill out an application and return it the Board of Elections Office. You
may either download a poll worker application from the Somerset County
website or email your request complete with your address to the Board
of Elections and an application will be mailed to your home.
Q. Do
I have to be trained to be a poll worker?
A. Yes. Every
poll worker must attend a training class once every two years to be
eligible for full pay.
Q. What
time do I have to report for work on Election Day?
A. Poll
workers must be at their assigned location at 5:15 am to prepare for
the opening of the polls at 6:00 am for the primary and general elections. Poll
workers must be at their assigned location at 1:15 pm to prepare for
the opening of the polls at 2:00 pm for the school board elections.
Q. Will
I get a lunch and/or dinner break?
A. Each
poll worker is entitled to one (1) one-hour break between the hours
of 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
Q. What
if I’ve been assigned to work, but something comes up last
minute that prohibits me from working?
A. Please
notify the Board of Elections as soon as possible so that a replacement
poll worker may be found.
Q. What
type of voting machine is used in Somerset County?
A. Somerset
County uses the AVC Advantage, a direct recording, electronic (DRE)
voting machine manufactured by Sequoia Pacific. The AVC Advantage
is easy to use and offers the highest level of accuracy and security.
Q. Are
the Somerset County voting machines suitable for handicapped individuals?
A. Yes. The
AVC Advantage is completely wheelchair accessible with no election
officer intervention.
Q. In
the event of a power outage can the voting machines still operate?
A. Yes. A
built-in 16+ hour battery provides uninterrupted use of the AVC Advantage. Power
switches from AC to DC automatically in the event of a power failure.
Q. How
are the voting machines tested?
A. Diagnostic
testing occurs automatically every time the machine is turned on. Continual
background testing verifies correct system operation and data integrity. Logic
and Accuracy tests are performed prior to the current election and
a record is placed in storage. Operator logs document all system
activity during the pre-election, election and post-election cycle.
Q. How
are recorded votes stored?
A. After
a voter presses the cast vote button, the vote is processed using multiple
independent data paths. Votes are randomized and stored three
(3) different ways to assure absolute secrecy of the vote, absolute
accuracy in vote counting, and absolute verifiability of results.
Q. Can
I write in a candidate not shown on the ballot?
A. Yes. The
AVC voting machine has a write-in keyboard that allows a voter to enter
the name of a personal choice candidate.
Q. How
can I confirm the selection I made on the voting machine?
A. The
visual message display in the keyboard confirms the selection that
you have made.
