New Jersey Senate Bill S2386

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/24/22
• Refer: 3/24/22

Caption

Directs Secretary of State to establish election incident reporting and complaint database; requires certain telephone numbers be provided with voter instructions.

Impact

The bill mandates that the Secretary of State collect data on reported incidents during elections, categorize them by location, type, and the actions taken in response. Additionally, it requires that a detailed report of these incidents be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature within 30 days after the polls close, ensuring that this information is also made accessible to the public. The provision for establishing an incident reporting database will significantly impact how elections are monitored and managed in New Jersey.

Summary

Senate Bill 2386, introduced in New Jersey, aims to establish a comprehensive election incident reporting and complaint database, managed by the Secretary of State. This database will serve to document and categorize civil rights violations, voter fraud, and other election-related incidents or complaints as they occur during elections. The intent behind this legislation is to enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process by compiling and reporting these incidents in real time.

Contention

Some points of contention likely center around concerns regarding the adequacy of the database in protecting voter rights and effectively managing complaints. Critics may argue that the bill, while well-intentioned, could become burdensome for county election officials and may not fully address the roots of voter fraud or civil rights violations. There may also be disputes over the appropriateness and effectiveness of the measures designed to communicate voter rights and incident reporting procedures at polling places, which the bill emphasizes by incorporating essential contact numbers into voter information notices.