Hightstown, New Jersey Public Records

Regular hours run weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with extended availability before elections. Registration to vote in New Jersey can be completed online at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/register or through a paper application. Eligibility requires U.S. Citizenship, a minimum age of 18 by the next election, New Jersey residency for at least 30 days before the election, and completion of any sentence for felony convictions. The registration deadline falls 21 days before any election, though the state now permits same-day registration during the early voting period that begins nine days before Election Day. First-time voters should bring identification such as a driver's license, utility bill, bank statement, or government document displaying their name and address. Municipal elections in the borough follow a nonpartisan formfor Mayor and Borough Council positions. The Mayor serves a four-year term, while six Council members each serve three-year staggered terms with two seats contested annually. New Jersey schedules municipal elections for the second Tuesday in May during odd-numbered years, placing the next Hightstown municipal election on May 13, 2025. Information about candidates, sample ballots, and any local ballot questions can be obtained through the Mercer County Clerk's Elections Division or at Borough Hall. Finding a polling location is straightforward using the New Jersey voter registration search at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/polling-place-search. Residents enter their county and address to view their assigned polling place, review a sample ballot, and verify their registration status. Most voters in the borough cast ballots at Hightstown Borough Hall or local schools depending on their district assignment. New Jersey maintains extensive public access to election records. Voter registration lists can be purchased for political purposes through Mercer County Clerk. Campaign finance reports for candidates at the state and local level are searchable through the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission website at https://www.elec.nj.gov. The county clerk retains candidate petitions and filings for local races, while the New Jersey Division of Elections handles state races. Detailed election results broken down by precinct are published by Mercer County Clerk after each election and archived online. Mercer County saw strong turnout in the November 2024 presidential election, with approximately 65-68% of registered voters casting ballots. This reflected Mercer County's consistently high civic engagement. The county traditionally leans Democratic in statewide and federal contests, a pattern generally mirrored in Hightstown. On November 3, 2026, voters throughout the borough and county will decide several significant races. New Jersey's gubernatorial election will take place, as the Governor serves a four-year term and was last elected in 2025. All 120 seats in the New Jersey Legislature will appear on the ballot, including 40 State Senate seats and 80 General Assembly seats, since both chambers hold elections in odd-numbered years following redistricting. County-level races may include county commission or freeholder seats depending on the election cycle. The U.S. Senate seat currently held by George Helmy (appointed) will be contested in 2026. Residents should check with the Mercer County Clerk closer to the election for a complete list of federal, state, county, and any special local races. Mail-in voting is widely available throughout New Jersey. Any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot without stating a reason. Applications can be submitted online at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/applications/absentee-ballot-application, by mail, or in person at Mercer County Clerk's office. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is seven days before the election, though earlier application is recommended. The state also provides early in-person voting at designated locations beginning nine days before Election Day and continuing through the Sunday before Election Day. Completed mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 48 hours after polls close, or can be deposited in secure drop boxes located throughout Mercer County until 8:00 PM on Election Day.