Do I need a mask to vote today in N.J. primary elections?
Widespread In-person voting returns to New Jersey on Tuesday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began as people head to the polls for the states primary elections. That depends. Its up to the states 21 counties to determine mask policies for voters, according to Alicia DAlessandro, a spokeswoman for the state Department of State. Poll workers are strongly encouraged  but not required  to wear face coverings. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout New Jersey. In the November general election, voters could cast paper provisional ballots in person. Machine voting was available only for disabled voters. You can reach out your local county election officials here. But it might be safe to bring a mask in case. If you vote at a school, masks are also still required statewide on school grounds. In late April, Gov. Phil Murphy said New Jersey polling sites would likely refuse to let you in without a mask. But that was a few weeks before Murphy lifted the states mask mandates in most cases as the states COVID-19 numbers have improved dramatically while more people get vaccinated. Masking and social distancing rules remain in place in schools, on public transit, and in health-care settings, among other places, in New Jersey, in accordance with guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of course, you can still wear a mask at your polling place today if you feel more safe that way. You can also still vote by mail. If you havent applied to do so, its too late to mail in an application. The deadline to apply in person at your county clerks office was 3 p.m. Monday. Plus, you can drop your mail-in ballot in one of the hundreds of drop boxes the state set up last year, which will remain  though you should check with your county website because some may have been moved. Your mail-in ballot will be counted as long as its postmarked by 8 p.m. Tuesday. More than 4.2 million people who live, work or study in New Jersey have been fully vaccinated at sites within the state. Murphys new goal is to get 6.9 million people age 12 and older inoculated by the end of the month. Previously, the governor had repeatedly said he aimed to have 70% of people age 16 and older  about 4.7 million  vaccinated by the end of June. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.