New Jersey Assembly Bill A2259

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Provides additional ways for transferring deceased voter's record to Statewide voter registration system's death file; requires Secretary of State match registration system with Social Security Administration deceased persons database.

Impact

The bill's implementation may significantly impact state laws by formalizing a clear procedure for notifying authorities about deceased voters. It obligates the Secretary of State to perform periodic matches between the voter registration records and the database of the Social Security Administration, which keeps track of deceased individuals. This matching requirement can help reduce potential voter fraud and maintains the integrity of the voting system. The act also encourages more involvement from family members and healthcare administrators in managing these records, which can lead to more accurate registration data.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2259 seeks to enhance the process for managing voter registration records of individuals who have deceased. Specifically, it provides additional mechanisms for transferring the records of deceased voters to the Statewide voter registration system's death file. Currently, local health officers and funeral directors have responsibilities in reporting deaths, and this bill adds procedures allowing the next of kin or any authorized individual to submit death notifications directly to the county commissioner of registration. By doing so, it streamlines the process and helps ensure that the voter rolls are kept accurate and up-to-date.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, the bill may not be without critics. Some may argue that adding layers of bureaucracy could complicate processes for families during times of grief, potentially leading to delays in the transfer of records. Concerns might be raised regarding the effectiveness of matching databases, the privacy of citizens' health records, and whether the new responsibilities placed on funeral directors and healthcare facility administrators could lead to unintentional compliance issues. Balancing efficiency in voter registration with respect for the deceased and their families is likely to be a point of contention among stakeholders.