New Jersey Assembly Bill A2346

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Requires automatic machine recount for certain elections that result in tie vote and establishes process to resolve subsequent tie votes.

Impact

This bill potentially transforms the current electoral process in New Jersey by ensuring that tie votes are resolved systematically and promptly. Currently, there exists some ambiguity regarding how ties are addressed, and A2346 aims to eliminate that by establishing definitive timelines and procedures. Furthermore, the bill includes a provision for the state to reimburse the costs incurred for these recounts and special elections, which mitigates the financial burden on local election boards. This change may serve to enhance public trust in electoral outcomes by ensuring more transparent and timely resolutions.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2346 aims to establish a clear process for dealing with tie votes in elections for elective office within the state of New Jersey. Specifically, it mandates that when an election results in a tie, an automatic machine recount of the votes must be conducted within 48 hours of the initial results. If the machine recount still yields a tie, the bill then requires a hand recount to occur within the same timeframe. The process culminates in a special election being held within 60 days if ties persist after the hand recount, allowing only those candidates who are still tied to compete.

Contention

Notably, the bill specifically excludes primary and school elections from its provisions, which could lead to discussions about fairness and equality in the electoral process. Critics may argue that this exclusion puts certain electoral outcomes at a disadvantage and could challenge the bill’s intent to reinforce electoral integrity. Furthermore, there may be concerns regarding the resources required for these recount processes, particularly if tightly contested elections become routine, potentially overwhelming election boards. Advocates for electoral reform will likely champion A2346 as a step towards greater accountability in maintaining fair and contested elections.