You’re busy. Life in South Jersey moves fast, and the last thing you want to do is stand in a two-hour line on a rainy Tuesday in November. Honestly, the old way of voting—rushing to a local school gym at 7:00 a.m. and hoping the machines aren't acting up—is kinda becoming a thing of the past. If you live in Cherry Hill, Camden, or any of the surrounding boroughs, you’ve got options now.
Camden County early voting has completely flipped the script on how we handle elections. It’s not just for people who are out of town anymore. It is for anyone who wants to get it over with on a Saturday morning before heading to the grocery store.
But here’s the thing: people still get confused about where to go. They think they have to go to their usual neighborhood polling place. Wrong. During the early voting window, you can actually go to any of the designated early voting sites in the county, regardless of which town you live in.
The 2026 Early Voting Schedule You Actually Need
Let’s get the dates straight because missing the window is the biggest mistake you can make. For the 2026 election cycle, New Jersey law sets very specific periods for when the machines are actually powered up and ready for you.
For the Primary Election, the early voting period runs from May 26, 2026, through May 31, 2026.
If you’re looking ahead to the General Election, the dates are October 24, 2026, to November 1, 2026.
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The hours are pretty consistent, which is a relief. Most days (Monday through Saturday), the sites stay open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday hours are a bit shorter, usually 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It’s basically designed so you can’t use "I was at work" as an excuse.
Where to Cast Your Ballot in Camden County
Since you aren't tied to your home precinct during this period, you can pick the spot that’s most convenient for your commute. Most people just go to the one closest to their favorite Wawa. Camden County typically runs seven core locations.
- Gloucester Township: The Elections & Archive Center at 100 University Court in Blackwood. This is basically the mothership for county elections.
- Camden City: Rowan University at 129 N. Broadway. Pro tip: there’s parking at PNC Bank and some street spots if you're lucky.
- Cherry Hill: The Community Center at 820 Mercer Street. It’s right by the municipal building.
- Collingswood: The Senior Center on West Collings Avenue. They usually set up in the large living room on the first floor.
- Runnemede: Harry Williams Community Center at 2 Broadway.
- Voorhees: Lion’s Lake Community Center on Dutchtown Road.
- Winslow: Bud Duble Community Center in Atco.
The beauty of this setup is the flexibility. If you live in Winslow but work in Camden, you can just pop into the Rowan University site on your lunch break. You don't need an appointment. You just show up, sign in on the electronic tablet, and do your thing.
Why the Technology Matters (and Why It’s Different Now)
If you haven't voted in a couple of years, the process might look a little weird. Camden County moved to a system that uses paper ballots marked by hand or machine and then fed into a digital scanner.
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Why the change? Security experts, like those at the Brennan Center for Justice, have long argued that a paper trail is the "gold standard" for election integrity. Basically, if there’s ever a question about the digital count, there is a physical piece of paper that can be recounted by hand.
When you walk in, you’ll sign in on an "e-poll book"—that’s the tablet. It knows exactly who you are and which ballot style you need based on where you live. You get your paper ballot, head to a privacy booth, fill in the ovals, and then feed it into the tabulator yourself. It’s simple. It’s secure. And honestly, it feels a bit more "official" than just pushing a button on an old-school machine.
Common Misconceptions That Trip People Up
A lot of folks think early voting is the same as "Vote-by-Mail." It’s not.
Vote-by-Mail is when a ballot shows up at your house and you send it back through the Post Office or drop it in one of the secure red, white, and blue drop boxes scattered around towns like Haddonfield or Pennsauken.
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Camden County early voting is strictly in-person. You are using a machine. You are getting a "voted" sticker. If you already requested a Mail-In Ballot but decide you want to vote early in person instead, things get a bit sticky. You’ll likely have to vote on a provisional ballot. This is a paper ballot that the Board of Elections keeps separate until they verify that you didn't also mail in a ballot. It still counts, but it takes longer to process.
Also, don't confuse the early voting sites with your Election Day polling place. On the actual Election Day (June 2nd for the Primary or November 3rd for the General), you must go to your specific assigned neighborhood spot. The seven regional hubs are only for the early bird window.
How to Prepare for the Polls
Nobody likes surprises at the ballot box. Before you head out, there are a few things you should check off your list to make sure the process is smooth.
- Check your status. Make sure you're actually registered. The deadline to register is usually 21 days before an election. You can check this on the NJ Division of Elections website.
- Review the sample ballot. The County Clerk’s office sends these out. Look at it. Know who you’re voting for before you’re standing behind the curtain with five people waiting behind you.
- Bring an ID (if it’s your first time). Generally, NJ doesn’t require a photo ID to vote if you’ve voted in the county before. However, if you are a first-time voter who registered by mail without providing ID info, you might be asked for it. Better safe than sorry.
Making Your Plan
The data shows that people who "make a plan" to vote are significantly more likely to actually follow through. It sounds silly, but it works. Decide now: Are you a Saturday morning voter? Do you prefer the late-night Thursday slot after work?
If you have questions or run into issues at the polls, the Camden County Board of Elections is located in Blackwood and can be reached at 856-401-8683. They are the ones who actually run the show, manage the poll workers, and ensure the machines are calibrated.
Actionable Next Steps for Voters
- Verify your registration today via the New Jersey Voter Information Portal to ensure your address is current.
- Locate your nearest drop box if you prefer Mail-In voting, but remember that for in-person machine voting, you must visit one of the seven designated sites during the early window.
- Save the dates: Mark October 24 through November 1 on your 2026 calendar for the General Election early voting period.
- Coordinate with neighbors: Since any resident can use any site, consider carpooling to a regional hub like the Cherry Hill Community Center to save time.
The system is designed to be more accessible than ever. By taking advantage of the early window, you avoid the chaos of Election Day and ensure your voice is heard on your own terms.