New Jersey Assembly Bill A4218

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/9/22
• Refer: 6/9/22

Caption

Prohibits use of private funds and personnel in governmental offices and procedures pertaining to administration of elections; establishes crimes and penalties for violations.

Impact

Should A4218 be enacted, it would require a significant restructuring of how election administration is financed and operated in New Jersey. Current practices involving expenditure of private funds for election-related purposes would be rendered unlawful, with provisions in place to penalize violations. This could have implications for various state and local election offices that have historically relied upon supplemental funding from private sources to enhance voter engagement and streamline election operations.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4218 proposes a prohibition on the utilization of private funds and personnel in the administration of elections within New Jersey. This legislative initiative aims to ensure that election-related processes are exclusively funded by public allocations without external influence from individuals or organizations. By restricting the acceptance and expenditure of private funds by any government entity involved in electoral processes, the bill attempts to fortify public confidence in the integrity of elections.

Contention

The bill is viewed through a lens of controversy, as it echoes legislative patterns observed in several other states that have enacted similar restrictions on private funding for election operations. Proponents argue that reliance on private funding compromises the integrity of elections and allows for undue influence of private interests in public processes. Critics, however, may argue that this limitation could hinder efforts to improve voter turnout and engagement funded by philanthropic organizations. Thus, the bill strikes at a contentious intersection of election integrity and the role of private assistance in the public electoral arena.