Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.
Impact
If enacted, A863 would significantly ease the restrictions on voter registration, potentially leading to higher voter turnout as individuals facing difficulties in early registration would have an extended period to register. This shift may also encourage young voters, new voters, or those who have recently moved to participate more actively in elections. The change is viewed as a necessary step to modernize the electoral process and ensure that registration is more aligned with the needs of the electorate.
Summary
Assembly Bill A863 proposes to amend existing voter registration laws in New Jersey by allowing individuals to register to vote up to 14 days before an election. Currently, the law requires voters to register at least 21 days prior to an election. This modification aims to facilitate increased access to voting, especially for those who may have missed the earlier registration deadline. The bill emphasizes that this change does not affect the constitutional requirement that a person must live in a county for at least 30 days prior to the election to be eligible to vote.
Contention
While the bill is positioned as an enhancement to voter accessibility, it may face opposition from those who argue that loosening registration deadlines could complicate the voting process or increase the risk of voter fraud. Proponents counter that the proposal includes safeguards such as retaining the requirement for residency 30 days before an election and the use of provisional ballots for individuals who may have moved within the same county without updating their registration.
Allows registered voters to submit application to vote by mail using online voter registration website maintained by Secretary of State up to seven days before election.
Requires commissioner of registration to move voters with undeliverable mail-in ballots to inactive file; removes such inactive voters from Statewide voter registration system following failure to vote in two consecutive federal general elections.
Requires commissioner of registration to move voters with undeliverable mail-in ballots to inactive file; removes such inactive voters from Statewide voter registration system following failure to vote in two consecutive federal general elections.
Permits county board of elections to begin canvassing early votes before election day under certain conditions; permits county board of elections to begin counting mail-in ballots as mail-in ballots are received by county board.