NJ
New Jersey Assembly Bill A863

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A863

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.

Impact

If enacted, A863 would significantly ease the restrictions on voter registration, potentially leading to higher voter turnout as individuals facing difficulties in early registration would have an extended period to register. This shift may also encourage young voters, new voters, or those who have recently moved to participate more actively in elections. The change is viewed as a necessary step to modernize the electoral process and ensure that registration is more aligned with the needs of the electorate.

Summary

Assembly Bill A863 proposes to amend existing voter registration laws in New Jersey by allowing individuals to register to vote up to 14 days before an election. Currently, the law requires voters to register at least 21 days prior to an election. This modification aims to facilitate increased access to voting, especially for those who may have missed the earlier registration deadline. The bill emphasizes that this change does not affect the constitutional requirement that a person must live in a county for at least 30 days prior to the election to be eligible to vote.

Contention

While the bill is positioned as an enhancement to voter accessibility, it may face opposition from those who argue that loosening registration deadlines could complicate the voting process or increase the risk of voter fraud. Proponents counter that the proposal includes safeguards such as retaining the requirement for residency 30 days before an election and the use of provisional ballots for individuals who may have moved within the same county without updating their registration.

Companion Bills

NJ S1542

Same As Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.

NJ A2147

Carry Over Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.

NJ S2051

Carry Over Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.

Previously Filed As

NJ A2147

Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.

NJ S1542

Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.

NJ S2051

Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.

NJ A1966

Reduces standard voter registration deadline to eight days before election; allows voter registration at polling place on election day and at offices where mail-in ballots are issued within 45 days before election.

NJ S247

Reduces standard voter registration deadline to eight days before election; allows voter registration at polling place on election day and at offices where mail-in ballots are issued within 45 days before election.

NJ HB743

Early voting; authorize for 14 days before the election.

NJ HB696

Pre-election day voting; authorize for 14 days before the election.

NJ HB481

Pre-election day voting; authorize for twenty days before an election.

NJ HB1230

Early voting; authorize for 21 days before the election.

NJ A5116

Revises design of primary election ballots and certain primary election procedures; provides for ballots to be arranged by office block; removes State committee members from primary process; requires reporting on primary elections by Division of Elections.

Similar Bills

NJ A2147

Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.

NJ S2051

Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.

NJ S1542

Permits voter registration up to 14 days before election.

NJ A113

Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity.

NJ S1687

Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity.

NJ S3651

Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity.

NJ A4248

Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity.

NJ S2726

Requires driver's license or nondriver identification card and Social Security card to vote; changes general election voter registration deadline; requires mail-in ballots be received at least 7 days before election.