reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:14-27 - Inclusion with sample ballot; other arrangements in certain counties

19:14-27. Inclusion with sample ballot; other arrangements in certain counties
Except as provided by section 19:14-33 of this Title, when any question or proposition shall be submitted to the people of the State at any general election or at any election held to vote on a constitutional amendment, there shall be mailed to each registered voter in the same envelope with the sample ballot a printed copy of the act of the Legislature or constitutional amendment which is so submitted; provided, however, in counties where sample ballots are so folded that they can be mailed to the registrants without being inserted in envelopes, as permitted by section 19:49-4 of this Title, the commissioner of registration shall make such arrangements for mailing the printed copy of the act of the Legislature or constitutional amendment as are practical to enable each registrant to receive a copy thereof.
Amended by L.1947, c. 53, p. 188, s. 1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:14-28 - Descriptive marks in case of amendments

19:14-28. Descriptive marks in case of amendments
When an amendment to the constitution or to a statute is so mailed, such part thereof as is new and not contained in the existing constitution or statute shall be underscored, and if any portion of the existing law or constitution is to be omitted in the proposed amendment, such portion shall be enclosed in brackets in the printed copies of the existing law or constitution so mailed, and there shall be annexed a note explaining the significance of the brackets and underscoring.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:14-29 - Relation to statute or constitution made clear

19:14-29. Relation to statute or constitution made clear
When a copy of an act of the legislature is required by section 19:14-27 of this title to be printed and mailed to each registered voter, and such act is an amendment or supplement to a statute of this state, there shall be printed and mailed to each registered voter as hereinbefore provided, in addition to the copy of the act submitted, such portion of the statute to which the same is an amendment or supplement as shall be necessary clearly to disclose to the voter the relation of the act submitted to the existing statute law.
When a copy of a constitutional amendment is required by said section 19:14-27 to be printed and mailed, then in addition to the copy of the constitutional amendments submitted, there shall be printed and mailed to each registered voter as hereinbefore provided, such portion of the constitution as shall be necessary clearly to disclose to the voter the relation of the amendment submitted to the existing constitution.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:14-30 - Attorney general to designate information to be sent

19:14-30. Attorney general to designate information to be sent
When under the provisions of this title it shall be necessary to mail to the voters any portion of the statute law of the state or any portion of the state constitution, the attorney general shall designate by writing filed with the secretary of state what portion of the statute law or state constitution shall be so printed and mailed.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:14-31 - Summary statement sufficient

19:14-31. Summary statement sufficient
The attorney general, in place of or in addition to designating any portion of the statute law or state constitution to be so printed and mailed, may, if he deems proper, make a summary statement of the existing law or constitutional provisions upon the subject so far as necessary to inform the voters of the effect which the adoption or rejection of the question or proposition submitted to them will have upon such statute law or state constitution, and the mailing of such summary statement shall be a compliance with the provisions of this title.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:14-32 - Printing and delivery by secretary of state

19:14-32. Printing and delivery by secretary of state
When by section 19:14-27 of this title copies of an act of the legislature or of a constitutional amendment are required to be printed and mailed, the secretary of state shall cause to be printed and, at least twenty days before the election at which the question or proposition is to be submitted, shall deliver to each county clerk a number of copies of the printed matter to be mailed as hereinbefore required, at least twenty per cent greater than the number of registered voters in the county.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:14-33 - When referendum notices unnecessary

19:14-33. When referendum notices unnecessary
It shall not be necessary for the secretary of state, or any other official, to cause notice to be published of any state-wide proposition directed by the legislature to be submitted to the people, nor shall it be necessary for the secretary of state, or any other official, to cause to be printed and mailed to the registered voters copies of the act or acts to be voted upon.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:14-34 - County clerks to municipal clerks; packages sealed; record of delivery; receipts

19:14-34. County clerks to municipal clerks; packages sealed; record of delivery; receipts
The county clerks of the several counties, not later than three days prior to the general election shall cause to be delivered to the clerk of each municipality within their respective counties, the number of ballots hereinbefore required to be provided for each election district within his municipality at such election. The same shall be delivered in sealed packages, one for each election district of the municipality, with marks or directions on the outside of each clearly stating the election district for which it is intended, together with the number of ballots. The county clerk shall also keep a record of the time when and the manner in which each of the packages was delivered. Receipts for the ballots thus delivered shall be given by the clerk receiving the same and filed with the county clerk, and shall be preserved by such clerk for the period of one year.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:14-35 - Municipal clerk to member of district board; delivery by member of board to board; receipts

19:14-35. Municipal clerk to member of district board; delivery by member of board to board; receipts
The municipal clerk shall on the day preceding any such general election, deliver, at his office or in any other way that he sees fit, to one of the members of each district board within his municipality, the ballot box, the ballot box keys, the ballots, and all other equipment and supplies received from the county clerk or the county board for such election district, and in addition shall deliver to the member all other equipment and supplies as herein provided to be furnished by the municipal clerk to the district boards of his municipality for balloting at the general election, and take the receipt of the member therefor, which last mentioned receipt the clerk of the municipality shall file and preserve for one year.
The member of each district board shall on the morning of election and before the proclamation of the opening of the polls, deliver the ballot box, the packages of ballots and all other equipment and supplies by him received to the district board of which he is a member, with the seals thereof unbroken, and shall take a receipt therefor from the board, which receipt the member shall file and preserve for one year.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-1 - Supervision of district boards by county board; district boards to hold and conduct elections

19:15-1. Supervision of district boards by county board; district boards to hold and conduct elections
The county board shall have supervision and direction of and authority over the district boards at all elections, including commission form of government elections held within the county.
The district boards shall in their respective election districts hold and conduct all elections at which the method of voting hereinafter prescribed shall be observed.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-2 - Operation hours of polls; members present.

19:15-2 Operation hours of polls; members present.
19:15-2. The district boards shall open the polls for such election at 6:00 A.M. and close them at 8:00 P.M., and shall keep them open during the whole day of election between these hours; except that for a school election held at a time other than at the time of the general election the polls shall be open between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and during any additional time which the school board may designate between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The board may allow one member thereof at a time to be absent from the polling place and room for a period not exceeding one hour between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. or for such shorter time as it shall see fit.
At no time from the opening of the polls to the completion of the canvass shall there be less than a majority of the board present in the polling room or place, except that during a school election held at a time other than at the time of the general election there shall always be at least one member of each district election board present or if more than two district board members are designated to serve at the polling place, at least two members present.
L.2015, c.181, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-3 - Lighting and equipment of booths

19:15-3. Lighting and equipment of booths
The board shall cause the booths of the polling places to be at all hours well and sufficiently lighted to enable voters to read and prepare their ballots with ease, and shall cause each booth to be kept provided with sufficient lead pencils to enable the voters to mark their ballots.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-4 - Official ballots only used; place of keeping and distribution; no envelopes

19:15-4. Official ballots only used; place of keeping and distribution; no envelopes
The board shall permit no other ballots to be used at the general election except the ballots which are by this title provided for. It shall confine the distribution and use of such ballots to the polling room in the manner herein directed, and shall distribute no ballots (other than official sample ballots as herein provided) outside the polling place.
The board shall keep no ballots in the polling booths and shall not permit the use of envelopes for enclosing ballots on election day.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-5 - Emergency ballots; preparation; use

19:15-5. Emergency ballots; preparation; use
If at any election the ballots to be furnished therefor shall not be delivered at the time above mentioned, or if after delivery they shall be destroyed or stolen and other official ballots cannot be obtained in time for such election, the clerk of the county or municipality, or the district board, as the case may require, shall cause other ballots to be prepared as nearly in the form heretofore prescribed as practicable, but without the indorsement on the top.
Upon the receipt of ballots thus prepared from the clerk of the county or municipality, accompanied by a statement, under oath, of the person preparing the same, that they have been so prepared and furnished because the original ballots have so failed to be received or have been destroyed or stolen, and that other official ballots could not be obtained in time for such election, or where the district board has caused such unofficial ballots to be prepared, the board shall cause the ballots so substituted to be used at the election.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-6 - Unofficial ballots; use permitted

19:15-6. Unofficial ballots; use permitted
If from any cause neither the official ballot nor ballots otherwise prepared as herein prescribed shall be ready for distribution at any polling place, or if the supply of ballots shall be exhausted before the polls are closed, unofficial ballots, made as nearly as possible in the form of the official ballot, may be used. The mode and manner of voting such unofficial ballots shall, nevertheless, in all respects conform as nearly as possible to the mode and manner of voting herein prescribed.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-8 - Persons allowed in polling place; simulated voting.

19:15-8 Persons allowed in polling place; simulated voting.
19:15-8. a. No person shall be allowed or permitted to be present in the polling place or polling room during the progress of the election except the officers connected with the election, persons connected with the operation of a simulated election for minors as described in subsection b. of this section, the several candidates, the duly authorized challengers, such voters as are present for the purpose of voting and their dependent children, minors present for the purpose of voting in a simulated election, and such officers as may be duly detailed to be present, pursuant to this title, for preserving the peace or enforcing the provisions hereof.
b. A county board of elections may authorize a simulated election for minors at a polling place, provided the simulated election does not interfere with the orderly conduct of the official voting process.
Amended 1994, c.154; s.1; 2000, c.173, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-11 - Distribution and use of ballot box keys; locking ballot boxes

19:15-11. Distribution and use of ballot box keys; locking ballot boxes
At the opening of the election each of the keys of the locks of the ballot box shall be taken by a different member of the board, who shall keep the same until the statement of the result of the election shall be made and certified, as directed by this title, and shall not during that time suffer any other member of the board, or any other person, on any pretense to take or have the same.
In all cases in which the members of the board are directed to lock the ballot box, each of the locks thereof shall be locked by the member who shall have the key belonging thereto, as directed by this title.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-12 - Ballot box shown to be empty; locking

19:15-12. Ballot box shown to be empty; locking
Immediately before proceeding to receive the votes the board shall in an open and public manner exhibit the ballot box so that those present may see that there is nothing contained therein, and thereupon close and lock the same, leaving open the aperture in the lid thereof.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-17 - Comparison of signatures or statements; identifying documentation.

19:15-17 Comparison of signatures or statements; identifying documentation.
19:15-17. a. The comparison of signatures of a voter made upon registration and upon election day, and if the voter alleges his inability to write, the comparison of the answers made by such voter upon registration and upon election day, shall be had in full view of the challengers.
b. If a voter has registered by mail after January 1, 2003 to vote for the first time in his or her current county of residence and did not provide personal identification when registering pursuant to section 16 of P.L.1974, c.30 (C.19:31-6.4), the voter shall be permitted to vote starting at the first election held after January 1, 2004 at which candidates are seeking federal office after displaying one of the following items: (1) a current and valid photo identification card; (2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or pay check; (3) any other government document that shows the voter's name and current address; or (4) any other identifying document that the Attorney General has determined to be acceptable for this purpose. If the voter does not display one of these documents, the voter shall not be permitted to vote by machine but shall instead be provided with a provisional ballot, pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1999, c.232 (C.19:53C-1 et seq.). This subsection shall not apply to any voter entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act" (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1 et seq.) or to any voter who is provided the right to vote other than in person under section 3 of Pub.L.98-435, the "Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act," or any other voter entitled to vote otherwise than in person under any other federal law. This subsection shall also not apply to any person who registers to vote by appearing in person at any voter registration agency or to any person whose voter registration form is delivered to the county commissioner of registration or to the Attorney General, as the case may be, through a third party by means other than by mail delivery.
c. Each county commissioner of registration shall collect and maintain, in the manner prescribed by the Attorney General, the information provided pursuant to subsection b. of this section and section 16 of P.L.1974, c.30 (C.19:31-6.4). Access to the personal identification information provided pursuant to subsection b. of this section and section 16 of P.L.1974, c.30 (C.19:31-6.4). shall be prohibited, in accordance with subsection a. of section 6 of P.L.2001, c.404 (C.47:1A-5).
Amended 2004, c.88, s.9.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-18 - Voter challenges

19:15-18. Voter challenges
19:15-18. The members of the district boards and any duly authorized challenger, respectively, shall at any election challenge every person who shall claim to have a right to vote therein whom they or he shall know, suspect or believe not to be qualified or entitled to so vote, and said members of the district board or challenger shall have the power and right to ask all questions which are suitable and necessary to determine such person's right.
No member of the district board and no duly authorized challenger shall, however, challenge, delay or prevent the right to vote of any person because of that person's race, color, national origin, expected manner of casting a vote or residence in a particular ward, housing complex or section of a municipality or county, provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit a challenge based upon the failure of the challenged voter to meet the applicable statutory residency qualification for voting in the particular election district. Any member of the district board or duly authorized challenger who violates this section is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
Amended 1991,c.249,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-18.1 - Challenged voter may establish right to vote

19:15-18.1. Challenged voter may establish right to vote
2. a. Any voter whose name does not appear on a challenge list prepared by the superintendent of elections of the county but who is challenged as not qualified or entitled to vote by a duly authorized challenger or by a member of a district board of elections shall be permitted to establish his right to vote by:
(1) signing an affidavit which states the voter's qualifications to vote on forms to be supplied by the superintendent of elections in those counties having a superintendent of elections or by the commissioner of registration in all other counties, and;
(2) presenting for inspection a suitable identifying document, which may be, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) a valid New Jersey driver's license;
(b) a sample ballot which lists the voter's name and address;
(c) an official federal, State, county or municipal document which lists the voter's name and address;
(d) a utility or telephone bill or tax or rent receipt dated; or
(e) a piece of mail postmarked, on or after the 60th day before the day of the election at which the voter is challenged.
b. A copy of the affidavit signed by the challenged voter shall be given to that person.
c. The affidavit, or a form attached to it, shall state:
(1) the means by which a person whose name does not appear on a challenge list prepared by the superintendent of elections of the county but who is challenged by a duly authorized challenger or by a member of the district board of elections may seek to establish the person's right to vote, as provided in subsection a. of this section;
(2) that a challenger who succeeds in denying a voter the right to vote must sign an affidavit stating the reason why the voter is not entitled to vote and must furnish a copy of the affidavit to the challenged voter, as provided in section 3 of P.L.1991, c.249 (C.19:15-18.2);
(3) the legal remedy which a person whose name does not appear on a challenge list prepared by the superintendent of elections of the county but who is challenged by a duly authorized challenger or by a member of the district board of elections and denied the right to vote may use to seek permission to vote, as provided in section 6 of P.L.1991, c.249 (C.19:15-18.3).
d. In counties in which the primary language of 10% or more of the registered voters is Spanish, the affidavit and instructions for its completion and the information required by subsection c. of this section shall appear in both English and Spanish.
L.1991,c.249,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-18.2 - Grounds for challenging right to vote specified

19:15-18.2. Grounds for challenging right to vote specified
3. If a person whose name does not appear on a challenge list prepared by the superintendent of elections of the county is challenged as not qualified or entitled to vote by a duly authorized challenger or by a member of the district board of elections and if this challenge is sustained by the district board of elections, the person making the challenge shall specify the grounds for the challenge in a signed affidavit on forms to be supplied by the superintendent of elections in those counties having a superintendent of elections or by the county clerk in all other counties. This document also shall state that the challenged voter has sought to establish his right to vote by signing an affidavit which states the challenged voter's qualifications to vote and by presenting a suitable identifying document, the identity of which shall be specified by the challenger. A copy of the challenger's affidavit shall be given to the challenged voter.
L.1991,c.249,s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-19 - Challenge on ground of conviction of crime; questions and answers

19:15-19. Challenge on ground of conviction of crime; questions and answers
If a person be challenged as convicted of a crime which bars him from exercising the right to vote, he shall be required to answer in relation to such alleged conviction, and if he shall admit that he has been so convicted, he shall not be permitted to vote unless he shall make oath that he has been pardoned or restored by law to the right of suffrage; but if he shall deny that he has been so convicted, no proof of such conviction shall be received, other than the duly authenticated record thereof, except such proof as may be necessary to establish his identity with the person named in such record, or may be adduced by him to rebut the evidence of identity produced on behalf of the challenge.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-20 - Challenge on ground of alienage; evidence of citizenship

19:15-20. Challenge on ground of alienage; evidence of citizenship
If a person shall be challenged as not qualified or entitled to vote, and the person challenging him shall specify a ground for such challenge to be that the person so challenged is an alien, the judge of election may forthwith tender to him an oath or affirmation, in the following form: "You do swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that to the best of your knowledge, information and belief, you were born a citizen of the United States, and that you do not owe allegiance to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty" , and if the person so challenged shall refuse to take the oath or affirmation so tendered to him, he shall be deemed to be an alien, unless he shall produce at the time of claiming his vote, to the board, a lawful certificate, issued out of and under the seal of some court of record, having authority to admit aliens to the rights of a citizen of the United States, showing that he has been admitted to the rights of a citizen of the United States. In this case the judge shall tender to the person so challenged an oath or affirmation in the following form:
"You do swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that you are the person named in the certificate of naturalization which you have produced to the board." In case the person producing the same shall claim to have derived the rights of such citizen through the naturalization of his parent, such certificate shall show that the person alleged to be such parent has been admitted to the rights of such citizen. In this event, an oath or affirmation, in the following form, shall be tendered to such person:
"You do swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that to the best of your knowledge, information and belief, the person named in the certificate of naturalization which you have produced to this board was your parent, and that you were at the time of the naturalization of your parent under the age of twenty-one years, and resident of the United States." If the person so challenged shall in either case refuse to take the oath or affirmation so tendered to him, he shall be deemed to be an alien.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-21 - Challenge on grounds of disqualification; oath

19:15-21. Challenge on grounds of disqualification; oath
19:15-21. If a person shall be challenged as not qualified or entitled to vote, the judge may forthwith tender to him an oath or affirmation, in the following form:
"You do swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that you are a citizen of the United States; that you have resided in this State and in this county for 30 days next before this election, and not elsewhere; that you are now a resident of this election district; that, as far as you know and verily believe, you are 18 years of age, and in all respects qualified to vote in this election, in this election district, and that you have not voted elsewhere in this election," and if the person so challenged shall refuse to take the oath or affirmation so tendered to him, he shall be deemed not to be qualified or entitled to vote.
Amended 1962,c.85; 1964,c.7,s.2; 1991,c.249,s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-23 - Questions asked persons challenged in municipalities having permanent registration

19:15-23. Questions asked persons challenged in municipalities having permanent registration
In municipalities having permanent registration, if a voter is challenged, the board shall ask him the questions which were asked him upon registration, the answers to which appear on the signature copy register and if the answers do not correspond a note of such fact shall be entered in the column of the poll book entitled "remarks" . If the signatures of the voter or the answers to the questions made by the voter do not correspond, then it shall be the privilege of the challengers to challenge, and the duty of each member of the district board to challenge, unless some other authorized person shall challenge.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-24 - Challenging voter, procedure, violations by members of board, removal

19:15-24. Challenging voter, procedure, violations by members of board, removal
19:15-24. The district boards shall not give a ballot to any person unless they shall be satisfied that such person is in all respects qualified and entitled to vote; and for the purpose of satisfying themselves as to the right of any person who shall claim a right to vote they shall have power to examine such person, and any other person or persons, under oath or affirmation, touching such right, except as hereinbefore restricted. The board shall determine the right of the voter to vote, after making use of, and giving due weight to, the evidence afforded by his signature, if any, such answers, and an affidavit which states the challenged voter's qualifications to vote and a suitable identifying document, as provided under section 2 of P.L.1991, c.249 (C.19:15-18.1). If any member of the board shall give or assent to give a ballot to any person challenged, without requiring him to take the oath or affirmation hereinbefore prescribed to be made upon such challenge, and the person shall not be qualified and entitled to vote, the member so giving or assenting to give a ballot, shall be deemed to have given to such person a ballot, knowing it to be illegal. The question as to the giving of the ballot to the person shall be put in the following form: "Shall a ballot be given to this person by this board?"
If a majority of the board shall decide to give a ballot to such voter or in case of a tie vote, the voter shall be given a ballot and allowed to vote. If a majority of the board shall decide against giving a ballot to the voter no ballot shall be given. The board upon demand of a member of the board or any other citizen shall forthwith issue a warrant for the arrest of such person and deliver the same to a peace officer, who shall forthwith arrest him, and the right to challenge voters shall exist until the ballot shall have been deposited in the ballot box.
Every such challenge and the determination of the board shall in every instance be recorded in the signature comparison record, in the column "Sig. Comp. by," used at the election at which the challenge has been made.
Any member of a district board who refuses or neglects to comply with the provisions of this section may be summarily removed from office by the county board, or any judge of the Superior Court assigned to the county.
Amended 1953,c.19,s.16; 1991,c.91,s.242; 1991,c.249,s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-25 - Ballot given to voter; instructions

19:15-25. Ballot given to voter; instructions
In all municipalities after the district board shall have ascertained that a voter is properly registered and qualified to vote the inspector of election shall furnish to the voter one official ballot numbered to correspond with the poll number of the voter, allowing for spoiled ballots, if any.
No ballot shall be handed to a voter until there is a booth ready for occupancy. The members of the district board shall not allow a voter to mark his ballot outside of an election booth unless the voter is unable to enter the booth by reason of his physical disability.
The inspector shall instruct the voter how to fold the ballot and shall crease the ballot so as to indicate the point where the voter shall fold the ballot, but before handing the ballot to the voter the inspector shall see that the face of the ballot including the coupon is exposed, and at the same time shall call off the ballot number to the member having charge of the polling book, who shall make certain that the ballot number and poll number agree, allowing for spoiled ballots, if any.
If the number of the ballot does not follow consecutively the missing number or numbers shall be written on a blank sheet of paper signed by the members of the district board and placed on the string with the coupons in its or their proper place or places.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-26 - Ballots marked secretly in booth; violation disorderly persons offense.

19:15-26 Ballots marked secretly in booth; violation disorderly persons offense.
19:15-26. Every voter to whom a ballot is given shall thereupon retire into the polling booth. Each booth in a polling place shall be arranged in accordance with the provisions of R.S.19:8-7. Not more than one voter, except as hereinafter provided, shall be permitted to enter or be in the same booth, at one time. The voter shall prepare the voter's ballot in the booth secretly and screened from the observation of others.
Any person or voter who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
Amended 2005, c.154, s.3; 2022, c.67, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-27 - Voting

19:15-27. Voting
19:15-27. To vote for any candidates whose names are printed in any column, the voter shall mark a cross x , plus + or check in ink or pencil in the square at the left of the name of each candidate in any column for whom he desires to vote to the number to be elected for each office.
To vote upon the public questions printed on the ballot the voter shall indicate his choice by marking a cross x , plus + or check in ink or pencil in the square at the left of either the word "Yes" or "No" of each public question.
Amended 1947,c.104,s.4; 1994,c.77,s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-28 - Voting for personal choice

19:15-28. Voting for personal choice
19:15-28. Nothing in this Title shall prevent any voter from writing or pasting under the proper title of office in the column designated personal choice the name or names of any person or persons for whom he desires to vote whose name or names are not printed upon the ballot for the same office or offices, and who shall mark a cross x , plus + or check in the square at the left of such name or names. Such writing shall be in ink or pencil. All pasters shall be printed with black ink on white paper.
Amended 1947,c.104,s.5; 1994,c.77,s.8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-29 - Ballot spoiled by voter; procedure to obtain another

19:15-29. Ballot spoiled by voter; procedure to obtain another
Should any voter to whom any official ballot has been handed spoil or render the same unfit for use, he may return it and obtain another from the district board, but no more than two official ballots shall be furnished to any voter, except at the discretion of the board.
The board shall preserve all the ballots, with their coupons attached, returned by a voter as spoiled or unfit for use, and after the proper correction has been made in the poll book and signature copy register or register of voters such ballot or ballots shall be placed upon the same string with the coupons.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-30 - Folding ballot; retention by voter until received by board

19:15-30. Folding ballot; retention by voter until received by board
Before leaving the booth the voter shall fold his ballot so that no part of the face of it shall be visible and so as to display the face of the numbered coupon, and the ballot of such claimant shall remain in his hand until the board shall have decided to receive the same.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-31 - Delivery of ballot by voter to board; procedure thereon

19:15-31. Delivery of ballot by voter to board; procedure thereon
He shall then hand the ballot with the coupon undetached to the member of the election board having charge of the ballot box, which member shall call off the number of the ballot and the name of the voter. If the name and number agree with the record in the poll book, the election officer having charge of the poll book shall so announce and place the word "voted" opposite the poll number to indicate that the person shown thereon as receiving the ballot has voted.
In districts having permanent registration the member of the board having charge of the signature copy register shall record the ballot number in the proper column of the record of voting form.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15-32 - Ballot deposited in ballot box by member of board

19:15-32. Ballot deposited in ballot box by member of board
Thereupon the member of the board having charge of the ballot box, without displaying any part of the face of the ballot, shall remove the coupon from the top of the ballot and place the ballot in the box and the coupon on a file string. The member of the board having charge of the ballot box shall keep the ballot in full view of the voter and the other election officers until it is deposited and the voter may take hold thereof, with the member of the board having charge of the ballot box, until it is actually deposited.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15A-3 - Information available to the public.

19:15A-3 Information available to the public.
3. During each early voting period, the county board shall make available to the public a tally of the total number of voters who have cast a ballot at each early voting location during the previous day. The county boards shall prepare an electronic data file listing the names of the individual voters who cast a ballot during the early voting period. This information shall be made available to the public in an electronic format pursuant to rules adopted by the county board and subject to review each year by the Secretary of State. The information shall be updated and made available to the public no later than noon of each day during the early voting period and shall at the same time be provided to the clerk of the county in which early voting is occurring and to the Secretary of State.
L.2021, c.40, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15A-4 - Early votes canvassed after closing of polls on day of election.

19:15A-4 Early votes canvassed after closing of polls on day of election.
4. a. An early vote cast in an election, as provided for in this act, P.L.2021, c.40 (C.19:15A-1 et al.), shall not be canvassed prior to the closing of the polls on the day of an election.
Every provisional ballot voted in each such election and determined by a county board to be valid shall be counted and shall be part of the official tally of the results of the election.
b. Each early vote cast, canvassed, and tallied in an election under subsection a. of this section shall be reported in the results for the election district in which the voter resides. The provisions of this subsection shall not be interpreted to change the manner in which each provisional ballot cast, canvassed, and tallied in each election is reported as part of the official tally of the results of the election in a manner that preserves the privacy of the voter's vote. Whenever the reporting requirement of this subsection would cause a voter's privacy to be violated, the election results shall be reported in a manner that maintains the privacy of the vote, provided that the election results posted on the respective websites shall contain a disclosure stating that the results reported for some individual districts reflect measures to protect the privacy of the vote while the general tally accurately reflects the results, and provided further that the reports for those individual districts shall not be subject to disclosure under the provisions of P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), commonly known as the open public records act.
L.2021, c.40, s.4; amended 2022, c.67, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15A-5 - Published information concerning early voting procedure.

19:15A-5 Published information concerning early voting procedure.
5. In addition to any publications required under Title 19 of the Revised Statutes, the Secretary of State and each county board of elections shall cause to be published information concerning the early voting procedure on the Department of State's website and on each county's website. The early voting information shall include, but may not be limited to, a notice to the public concerning their eligibility to participate in early voting, the duration of the early voting period, and the locations and hours of operation of specially designated polling places for early voting in each county.
L.2021, c.40, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15A-6 - Reimbursement for local governing body.

19:15A-6 Reimbursement for local governing body.
6. In compliance with the provisions of Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 5 of the New Jersey Constitution, upon application for reimbursement by a county governing body or a municipal governing body, as may be appropriate, to the Secretary of State and approval of the application by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury, a county or municipality shall be reimbursed by the State for any additional costs incurred by the county or municipality as a result of the provisions of this act, P.L.2021, c.40 (C.19:15A-1 et al.).
L.2021, c.40, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15A-7 - Adjustments to regulations, new regulations.

19:15A-7 Adjustments to regulations, new regulations.
7. The Secretary of State is hereby authorized to make such adjustments to regulations issued pursuant to Title 19 of the Revised Statutes and to issue any new regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act, which regulations shall be effective immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law for a period not to exceed 18 months, and may, thereafter, be amended, adopted or readopted in accordance with the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).
L.2021, c.40, s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:15A-8 - Application of provisions of act.

19:15A-8 Application of provisions of act.
24. The provisions of this act, P.L.2021, c.40 (C.19:15A-1 et al.), shall only apply to the 2021 general election and general elections thereafter; the 2022 primary election and primary elections thereafter; and, if adopted by a municipal governing body, a municipal election conducted in May 2022 and municipal elections conducted in May thereafter.
L.2021, c.40, s.24.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:16-2 - Votes counted publicly without adjournment

19:16-2. Votes counted publicly without adjournment
The district board shall then proceed forthwith to count the votes for each candidate or proposition and shall complete such count without delay or adjournment. The counting shall be open and public, but not to the extent that the number present shall hinder, delay or inconvenience the election officers in counting the ballots and ascertaining the result.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:16-4 - Void ballots; distinguishing marks

19:16-4. Void ballots; distinguishing marks
In counting the ballots the board shall deem null and void all ballots which are wholly blank, or on which more names have been marked for every office than there are persons to be elected to such office, and on which both "Yes" and "No" have been marked upon every public question. All ballots still remaining in the ballot box after ballots equal in number to the number of names of voters in the registry binders who have voted at such election inclusive of void ballots, have been counted shall be deemed null and void.
No ballot which shall have, either on its face or back, any mark, sign, erasure, designation or device whatsoever, other than is permitted by this Title, by which such ballot can be distinguished from another ballot, shall be declared null and void, unless the district board canvassing such ballots, or the county board, judge of the Superior Court or other judge or officer conducting the recount thereof, shall be satisfied that the placing of the mark, sign, erasure, designation or device upon the ballot was intended to identify or distinguish the ballot.
No ballot shall be declared invalid by reason of the fact that the mark made with ink or the mark made with lead pencil appears other than black.
No ballot cast for any candidate shall be invalid by reason of the fact that the name of such candidate may be misprinted, or his Christian name or his initials may be omitted.
No ballot cast for any candidate shall be invalid by reason of the use of any paster permitted by this Title on which the title of office may be printed or the name of such candidate may be misprinted or part of his Christian or surname or initials may be omitted, or because the voter in writing the name of such candidate may misspell the same or omit part of his Christian name or surname or initials.
No ballot shall be declared null and void or invalid, by reason of having a cross x , plus + or check X appearing in a square at the left of a blank space, or a space wherein no name is printed.
Amended by L.1947, c. 104, p. 525, s. 7; L.1953, c. 19, p. 333, s. 18.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:16-5 - Invalid ballots marked "void," numbering, stringing

19:16-5. Invalid ballots marked "void," numbering, stringing
19:16-5. In every case in which a ballot shall be declared invalid, the same shall not be canvassed or counted, but shall be marked "void" on the outside thereof, and shall be numbered consecutively along with valid ballots, and shall be preserved like other ballots and placed in proper order on the string or wire with the valid ballots.
Ballots which shall be declared invalid with respect to a part of the officers to be voted for or public questions to be voted upon shall be canvassed, estimated and numbered with respect to the part which is not invalid and preserved as other ballots and placed in their proper order on the string with the valid ballots.
Amended 1992,c.3,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:16-6 - Majority decision of board final; dissents entered

19:16-6. Majority decision of board final; dissents entered
The decision of a majority of the district board on any question shall be deemed the decision of the board and final. If any member of the board shall dissent from any such decision and shall desire to protect himself from the consequences which may result from such decision, such member may record his dissent, in cases relating to registration, in the register, and in all other cases, in the poll book of such election, signing his name to such record with his own hand, and unless he shall do so, he shall be deemed to have assented to the decision so made.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:16-7 - Reading, stringing of ballots

19:16-7. Reading, stringing of ballots
19:16-7. The board in the actual procedure of counting the ballots shall thereupon unlock and open the ballot box; the ballots shall then be taken singly and separately therefrom by the judge of the election, and while each ballot shall remain in his hands, he shall audibly and publicly read the same in full view of the inspector. The inspector shall be satisfied that the ballot is being correctly read by the judge.
After the reading of the ballot, including a ballot determined to be void, and before taking another ballot from the box, the judge shall fold the ballot to a size about five inches square, and shall deliver the same so folded to the inspector, who shall write on the back thereof the number of such ballot from one onward, in the order in which the same shall have been taken from the box; and shall string the ballot as one ticket in the order in which the same shall be taken from the box and numbered, by means of a needle and string to be provided for that purpose.
Amended 1992,c.3,s.2.