Permits county clerk to remove voters from vote-by-mail lists under certain circumstances.
This legislation significantly alters existing voting laws by granting discretion to county clerks on voter maintenance within mail-in ballot programs. It amends P.L.2009, c.79, specifically addressing concerns regarding the accuracy of voter information and the efficacy of mail-in voting systems. The requirement for county clerks to notify voters in writing before removal intends to ensure that fair notice is provided, allowing individuals the chance to respond and rectify their voting status, thus preserving their right to vote.
Assembly Bill A356 introduces provisions allowing county clerks in New Jersey the authority to remove voters from vote-by-mail lists under specific circumstances. The bill outlines three conditions under which a voter may be removed: if official election mail is returned by the United States Postal Service, if the voter has not utilized a mail-in ballot for any election in a two-year period, or if the voter's address is deemed undeliverable by the postal service's National Change of Address System. This approach aims to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter lists to improve election integrity and efficiency.
Critics of A356 may raise concerns about the potential for disenfranchisement, especially regarding voters who might not receive the notification in time or those who may have difficulty responding due to various barriers. The reliance on postal service returns as a removal trigger could disproportionately affect low-income voters or those in rural areas where mail delivery is less reliable. Additionally, some legislators might argue that the bill infringes upon the right to vote by placing undue restrictions on mail-in voting, an essential service that has gained prominence in recent elections.