Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Permits voters to sign backup paper polling record in counties opting to use e-poll books.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the paper polling record or signature copy register of registered voters and amending P.L.2019, c.80.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 3 of P.L.2019, c.80 (C.19:31-37) is amended to read as follows:
3. A county commissioner of registration and county board of elections opting to use electronic poll books shall submit to the Secretary of State a request for approval in the form, content, and timeframe specified by the Secretary of State. Within 10 days of receiving the request, the Secretary of State shall review the request for compliance with the Secretary of State's standards and regulations and all of the capabilities and standards required under this act, P.L.2019, c.80 (C.19:31-35 et seq.). A county commissioner of registration and county board of elections approved to use electronic poll books shall furnish at least two electronic poll books for each polling place and a backup paper polling record or signature copy register for each election district in the polling place. Each voter in a county approved to use electronic poll books shall be offered the option to sign either the backup paper polling record or electronic poll book. Electronic poll books for each election shall be prepared by the commissioner of registration no later than the 10th day preceding the election. At each election, the delivery of the electronic poll books to the municipal clerk and to the district boards or other officials charged with the same duties as the district boards in connection with the conduct of an election, and the return of those electronic poll books by the district boards or such other election officials to the commissioner of registration, shall be made in the manner prescribed by the commissioner of registration and shall comply with Title 19 of the Revised Statues. The commissioner of registration shall retain the electronic poll books records for any election for a period of not less than six years following that election.
(cf: P.L.2019, c.80, s.3)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires a county commissioner of registration and county board of elections approved to use electronic poll books to offer each voter the option to sign either the backup paper record or electronic poll book.