New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S2386

Introduced
3/24/22  

Caption

Directs Secretary of State to establish election incident reporting and complaint database; requires certain telephone numbers be provided with voter instructions.

Impact

The bill mandates that the Secretary of State collect data on reported incidents during elections, categorize them by location, type, and the actions taken in response. Additionally, it requires that a detailed report of these incidents be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature within 30 days after the polls close, ensuring that this information is also made accessible to the public. The provision for establishing an incident reporting database will significantly impact how elections are monitored and managed in New Jersey.

Summary

Senate Bill 2386, introduced in New Jersey, aims to establish a comprehensive election incident reporting and complaint database, managed by the Secretary of State. This database will serve to document and categorize civil rights violations, voter fraud, and other election-related incidents or complaints as they occur during elections. The intent behind this legislation is to enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process by compiling and reporting these incidents in real time.

Contention

Some points of contention likely center around concerns regarding the adequacy of the database in protecting voter rights and effectively managing complaints. Critics may argue that the bill, while well-intentioned, could become burdensome for county election officials and may not fully address the roots of voter fraud or civil rights violations. There may also be disputes over the appropriateness and effectiveness of the measures designed to communicate voter rights and incident reporting procedures at polling places, which the bill emphasizes by incorporating essential contact numbers into voter information notices.

Companion Bills

NJ A779

Same As Directs Secretary of State to establish election incident reporting and complaint database; requires certain telephone numbers be provided with voter instructions.

Previously Filed As

NJ S3198

Directs Secretary of State to establish election incident reporting and complaint database; requires certain telephone numbers be provided with voter instructions.

NJ A849

Directs Secretary of State to establish election incident reporting and complaint database; requires certain telephone numbers be provided with voter instructions.

NJ SB7

Elections; Alabama Voting Rights Act Commission established to prevent discrimination in voting; duties and membership provided; Secretary of State required to establish database on election administration

NJ HB60

Elections; Alabama Voting Rights Act Commission established to prevent discrimination in voting; duties and membership provided; Secretary of State required to establish database on election administration

NJ S1119

Requires Secretary of State to establish voter list maintenance and crosscheck program and to include certain voter registration data in annual report to Governor and Legislature.

NJ SB290

Elections; voting rights restoration process revised; Alabama Voting Rights Act Commission established to prevent discrimination in voting; duties and membership provided; Secretary of State required to establish database on election administration

NJ HB486

Elections; voting rights restoration process revised; Alabama Voting Rights Act Commission established to prevent discrimination in voting; duties and membership provided; Secretary of State required to establish database on election administration

NJ S1117

Requires Secretary of State create website for voters to report irregularities regarding mail-in ballots; establishes "Vote by Mail Study Commission."

NJ SB142

Voting, statewide voter registration database, identifying voter address changes, Electronic Registration Information Center removed as verification database; Secretary of State authorized to update lists using other databases

NJ HB665

Relating to the secretary of state posting on the secretary of state's Internet website databases containing certain information about elections.

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