ASSEMBLY, No. 4705

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  SERENA DIMASO

District 13 (Monmouth)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires option to vote in person using electronic voting machine at polling place for November 2020 general election if voter turns in unopened and unfilled mail-in ballot.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning the opportunity to vote in person at each polling place for the November 2020 general election.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.2020, c.72, or any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, any person who has received a mail-in ballot for the November 2020 general election and has not completed the ballot and delivered or transmitted it to the county board of elections by hand or via regular mail or ballot drop box, or given it to a bearer for delivery to the county board, shall be permitted to vote in person using an electronic voting machine at the voter's designated polling place by bringing and turning in the unopened and unfilled mail-in ballot in person at the polling place on the day of the election. The voter's unopened and unfilled mail-in ballot shall constitute proof that the voter has not voted in that election. The electronic voting machine voting procedures shall be in compliance with Title 19 of the Revised Statutes. The Secretary of State and each county board of elections shall develop the necessary procedures to be implemented at each polling place to ensure the integrity of the voting process, including the record-keeping, security, and custody of the unopened and unfilled mail-in ballots delivered to each polling place, as provided under this section.   

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately, shall apply to the November 2020 general election, and shall expire upon the certification of the results of that election.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill requires the option to vote in person using electronic voting machines at each polling place for the November 2020 general election for any voter who turns in the voter's unopened and unfilled mail-in ballot at the polling place.

     Under the bill, any person who has received a mail-in ballot for the November 2020 general election and has not completed the ballot and delivered or transmitted it to the county board of elections by hand, via regular mail, ballot drop box, or given it to a bearer for delivery to the county board, would be permitted to vote in person using an electronic voting machine at the voter's designated polling place by bringing and turning in the unopened and unfilled mail-in ballot in person at the polling place on the day of the election. The voter's unopened and unfilled mail-in ballot would constitute proof that the voter has not voted in that election. The electronic voting machine voting procedures would be in compliance with current law. The bill directs the Secretary of State and each county board of elections to develop the necessary procedures to be implemented at each polling place to ensure the integrity of the voting process, including the record-keeping, security, and custody of the unopened and unfilled mail-in ballots.