New Jersey Assembly Bill A4351

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/20/22
• Refer: 6/20/22

Caption

Requires appropriate official file information on deaths in county with county clerk; provides additional ways for transferring deceased voter's record to Statewide voter registration system's death file.

Impact

Currently, the responsibility for notifying about deaths primarily lies with the commissioner of registration and health officials. Under A4351, county clerks are granted parallel authority in investigating deaths. This shift may lead to improved accuracy in voter registration lists, as the jurisdiction for handling death record notifications becomes broader, thus allowing for potentially quicker updates to the voter registration system. The bill reinforces the protocol for ensuring that voter records are kept up to date, reducing the chance of deceased individuals being mistakenly contacted or registered.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4351 serves to amend existing laws concerning the maintenance of the Statewide voter registration system's death file. The bill mandates that the county clerks receive information on deaths occurring in their counties and outlines additional processes for transferring the records of deceased voters from the active registration file to the death file. This is particularly significant as it expands the accessibility of death information for accurate voter record management, ensuring that deceased individuals are reliably removed from active voter lists.

Contention

The legislative discourse surrounding Bill A4351 may encapsulate concerns about privacy and the administrative burden it may impose on county officials. The requirement for next of kin to submit notarized forms alongside death certificates could pose a slight inconvenience, especially for grieving families. Critics could argue that while maintaining an accurate voter registration list is essential, the procedural complexities may detract from existing legislation's ability to manage this sensitive information promptly and compassionately.