Latest in Lawrence + NJ Civics: 48-Hour Tax Relief Deadline & Election Day Countdown

The State of New Jersey and Lawrence Township have released several important updates covering upcoming deadlines, voting procedures, seasonal alerts, and local events.Upcoming Deadlines and Time ChangesProperty Tax Relief Application Deadline: There are fewer than 48 hours left to apply for New Jersey Property Tax Relief (as of October 30, 2025), with the deadline set for October 31.• For homeowners and renters 65 or older or receiving Social Security disability: Applicants must file Form PAS-1, which covers ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ programs. This application requires property details and gross income information from both the 2023 and 2024 bills. The state plans to notify applicants of specific benefits by the end of the year.• For homeowners and renters under 65 not receiving disability benefits: Many residents received ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letters on August 13. Those who did not receive a letter can still apply using Form ANC-1 by the October 31 deadline. This application requires only the 2024 property bill and 2024 income information.Both applications are available online, and verification requires a driver’s license, state ID, or passport.Local Property Taxes and Licensing:• The 4th quarter property taxes for Lawrence Township are due by the close of business day on Monday, November 10th to avoid penalty.• Late fees for the 2025–2026 Lawrence Township cat licensing period begin on November 1st. All cats 7 months or older must be licensed. License fees are $11 for spayed/neutered cats and $14 for those not spayed/neutered.Daylight Saving Time: New Jersey clocks will fall back one hour with the return to Eastern Standard Time at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025.Election and Holiday InformationElection Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025.• All State offices will be closed on November 4th for Election Day. Lawrence Township Municipal Offices will also be closed.Voting Options: All active registered voters have the option to vote by mail, vote early, or vote in person.• Vote by Mail: Ballots must be requested in person from the County Clerk by Monday, November 3 at 3:00 p.m.. Voted ballots must be deposited in a secure drop box, dropped off in person at the County Board of Elections, or postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can track their ballot status at voter.svrs.nj.gov.• Vote Early: Early voting is available through Sunday, November 2. Statewide hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. No appointment is needed. In Lawrence Township, early voting takes place at the Mercer County Library - Lawrence Branch (2751 Brunswick Pike) during these hours.• Vote in Person: Voters can go to their assigned polling place on Tuesday, November 4, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Most voters do not need ID.• For questions, residents can visit Vote.NJ.gov or call 1-877-NJ-VOTER.Veterans' Day Closures and Ceremony:• All State offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for Veterans' Day. Lawrence Township Municipal Offices will also be closed.• Lawrence Township invites residents to its Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11th, at 11:00 am at the Municipal Building. Veterans and their families are strongly encouraged to attend, and light refreshments will be served following the ceremony.Local and Public Safety NewsDeer Mating Season Alert: Residents are urged to drive carefully as daylight hours shorten, increasing the risk of deer collisions. The peak white-tailed deer mating season in New Jersey runs from late October through mid-December. Thousands of motor vehicle collisions involve white-tailed deer every year, often occurring when lighting conditions are poor and deer activity is highest.Lawrence Township Public Works and Sustainability:• The Lawrence Township Public Works Department will begin leaf collection on November 3 and continue through December 31. Residents can expect three collections during this period, with one collection crew assigned to each brush zone for approximately eight weeks.• Lawrence Township has been awarded Sustainable Jersey Silver Certification, recognizing its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The Township will be honored at the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon on November 18th during the NJ League of Municipalities Conference.Health and Community Services (Lawrence Township):• A FREE Flu Shot Clinic is scheduled for Friday, October 31st, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Lawrence Township Senior Center (30 E Darrah Lane). Registration is required.• The Health Department also has at-home COVID-19 test kits available, provided by Mercer County, while supplies last.• The Lawrence Township Food Drive Collection is running throughout the month of November. Items can be placed in marked donation bins outside the Lawrence Senior Center, and all donations will be distributed by Arm & Arm to local families.State Business Survey in Spanish: The State of New Jersey, via Business.NJ.gov, is working to make it easier for people to start a business. They are asking for feedback through a short survey (10-15 minutes). The survey has been translated into Spanish to specifically reach Spanish-speaking communities. The State is particularly interested in the opinions of current business owners, those who are starting a business, or those who have gone through the process of starting a business in New Jersey, successfully or not. The anonymous survey is intended to help implement important changes.