reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:52-5 - Locking, sealing of voting machine; reading, announcement of votes

19:52-5. Locking, sealing of voting machine; reading, announcement of votes
19:52-5. Immediately upon the close of the polls, the district election officers shall lock and seal the voting machine against further voting and open the counter compartment in the presence of persons who may be lawfully present at that time, giving full view of the counters. The judge of the district board, under the scrutiny of a member of such board who is not a member of the same political party as the judge, shall then in the order of the offices as their titles are arranged on the machine, read and announce in distinct tones the result as shown by the counters, and shall then read the votes recorded for each office on the irregular ballots. He shall also, in the same manner, read and announce the vote on each constitutional amendment, proposition or other question. As each vote is read and announced, it shall be recorded in two statements of canvass by two other members of such district board who are not members of the same political party, and when completed the record thereof shall be compared with the numbers on the counters of the machine. If found to be correct, the result shall be announced by the judge of such board and the statement of canvass, after being duly certified, shall be filed as now provided by law for filing election returns. After the reading and announcing of the vote and before the doors of the counter compartment of the voting machine shall be closed, ample opportunity shall be given to any person or persons lawfully present to compare the results so announced with the counters of the machine and any necessary corrections shall then and there be made by such district board. No tally sheets nor return blanks as required by law for use in election districts where paper ballots are used shall be furnished or used in election districts where voting machines are used, but in lieu thereof there shall be furnished two copies of a statement of canvass to conform to the requirements of the make and type of voting machine or machines being used.
Amended 1996, c.120, s.8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:52-6 - Locking machine, rechecking, cost, deposit; irregular ballots, disposition.

19:52-6. Locking machine, rechecking, cost, deposit; irregular ballots, disposition.
19:52-6. For voting machines that are exempted by paragraph (2) of subsection b. of R.S.19:48-1, the district election officers shall, as soon as the count is completed and fully ascertained, as by this subtitle required, lock the counter compartment and it shall so remain for a period of 13 days, except it be opened by order of a judge of the Superior Court assigned to the county. Within such period and upon written request of any defeated candidate, or in the case where a public question is involved upon petition of any 10 qualified voters of a county or municipality using machines who voted in the election in question, the judge shall, at a cost of $2.00 per district to the candidate or petitioners, order the machines in question opened and the registering counters rechecked against the election officers' returns. Any candidate or petitioners requesting such recheck, shall deposit with the county clerk, the amount necessary for all the districts requested. The county clerk, if it appears that an error or errors have occurred as a result of which the election is changed or the difference between the negative and affirmative of any public question is altered so as to change the results of the election, shall upon the warrant of such judge of the Superior Court, pay to such candidate or petitioners the cost of such recheck. In the event it shall appear after such recheck that the results of the election remain unchanged, the county clerk shall, upon the warrant of such judge, pay the funds so deposited into the county treasury. Such recheck shall be made under the supervision of the county election officials and in co-operation with the parties at interest or their representatives. When irregular ballots of whatever description have been voted, the district election officers shall return all such ballots in a properly secured package indorsed "irregular ballots" and return and file such package with the municipal clerk at the same time the original statement of the results of the election made by them is filed. Such package shall be preserved for 6 months next succeeding such election, and it shall not be opened or its contents examined during that time except by the order of a judge of a court lawfully empowered to direct the same to be opened and examined. At the end of the 6 months, such packages may be opened and the ballots disposed of at the discretion of the official having charge thereof.
Amended by L.1942, c. 56, p. 293, s. 1; L.1943, c. 80, p. 298, s. 1; L.1953, c. 19, p. 356, s. 59; L.1955, c. 260, p. 950, s. 1; 2023, c.124, s.9.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:52-7 - Disposition of keys

19:52-7. Disposition of keys
The keys of each voting machine shall be inclosed in an envelope to be supplied by the county board of elections or the superintendent of elections or the municipal clerk, as the case may be, having custody of voting machines, on which shall be written the number of the machine and the district and ward where it has been used, which envelope shall be securely sealed and indorsed by the district election officers, and shall be returned to the source from which the keys were received. The number on the seal and the number registered on the protective counter shall be written on the envelope containing the keys. All keys for any voting machine shall be kept securely by the officials having them in charge. No unauthorized person shall have in his possession any key or keys of any voting machine and all district election officers or persons intrusted with such keys for election purposes, or in the preparation of the machine therefor, shall not retain them longer than necessary to use them for such legal purpose. All machines shall be stored by the county board of elections or the superintendent of elections or the municipal clerk, as the case may be, having custody of voting machines, as soon after the close of the election as possible, and the machines shall at all times be stored in a suitable place, which place shall be a fireproof public building in such counties or municipalities, as the case may be, as have same.
Amended by L.1945, c. 56, p. 331, s. 10.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:52-8 - Voter security, paper ballots, privacy sleeves, screens, shield, curtain.

19:52-8 Voter security, paper ballots, privacy sleeves, screens, shield, curtain.
1. In a manner consistent with the requirement for voting machines to secure the voter's secrecy in the act of voting as required under R.S.19:48-1, and for electronic voting systems to provide for the secrecy of a voter's vote under sections 3 and 6 of P.L.1973, c.82 (C.19:53A-3 and C.19:53A-6):
a. In all counties wherein voters use hand-marked paper ballots to cast the voter's vote, a privacy sleeve into which the voted ballot can be inserted and fully shielded from view shall be provided to the voter.
b. In all counties wherein ballot scanning machines are used to cast hand-marked paper ballots, the county shall ensure that privacy is maintained as the voter inserts the voted ballot into the ballot scanning machine.
c. In all counties wherein voters use a direct recording electronic voting machine to cast the voter's vote, the direct recording electronic voting machine shall contain a privacy screen, shield, or curtain so that privacy is maintained as the voter casts the voter's vote.
L.2022, c.67, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:52-9 - Certification, primary, general election, county clerk, list, easily identifiable location, Internet site, district-level results.

19:52-9 Certification, primary, general election, county clerk, list, easily identifiable location, Internet site, district-level results.
2. a. Upon the certification of the results of a primary or general election, each county clerk, in consultation with the commissioner of registration and the county board of elections of that county, shall list in an easily identifiable location on the county clerk's Internet site the district-level results for the in-person early voting period, the election day vote, and the vote-by-mail vote.
b. Whenever the reporting requirements of this subsection or section 1 of P.L.2018, c.110 (C.19:52-3.1) 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.
L.2023, c.131, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53-1 - Unauthorized possession of equipment, tampering, etc., crime.

19:53-1 Unauthorized possession of equipment, tampering, etc., crime.
19:53-1. Any unauthorized person found in possession of any such voting machine in use or to be used in any election, or keys thereof, shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. Any person willfully tampering or attempting to tamper with, disarrange, deface or impair in any manner whatsoever, or destroy any such voting machine while the same is in use at any election, or who shall, after such machine is locked in order to preserve the registration or record of any election made by the same, tamper or attempt to tamper with any such voting machine, shall be guilty of a crime of the third degree.
Amended 2005, c.154, s.53.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-1 - Definitions

19:53A-1. Definitions
As used in this act, unless otherwise specified:
a. "Automatic tabulating equipment" includes apparatus which automatically examines and counts votes recorded on ballot cards, and tabulates the results.
b. "Ballot card" means a tabulating card on which votes may be recorded.
c. "Ballot labels" means the pages, cards, or other material containing the names of offices and candidates and the statements of measures to be voted on, which are placed on the voting device.
d. "Counting center" means one or more locations selected by each of the county boards of election for the automatic counting of ballots.
e. "Electronic voting system" means a system in which votes are recorded on ballot cards, and such votes are subsequently counted and tabulated by automatic tabulating equipment at one or more counting centers.
f. "Voting device" means an apparatus which the voter uses to record his votes on a tabulating card.
g. "County boards of elections" shall mean the county board of elections appointed in the various counties or the person or board in charge of elections in the various counties as provided in Title 19 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes.
L.1973, c. 82, s. 1, eff. April 12, 1973.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-2 - Use of electronic voting systems; devices, certain, prohibited.

19:53A-2 Use of electronic voting systems; devices, certain, prohibited.
2. a. The board of chosen freeholders of any county may adopt, acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise, or abandon any electronic voting system or mechanical system authorized herein which has been approved for use in the State, in any election or primary or combination thereof, and may use such system in all or a part of the districts within its boundaries. The county authorities, on the adoption and acquisition of an electronic voting system, shall provide for the payment therefor in such manner as they deem for the best interest of the locality, in such manner as may be provided by law.
b. The provisions of this act shall be controlling with respect to elections where electronic voting systems are used, and shall be liberally construed so as to carry out the purpose and intent of this act. Any provisions of law relating to the conduct of elections which conflict with this act shall not apply to the conduct of elections with an approved electronic voting system.
c. Following the effective date of P.L.2004, c.88 (C.19:61-1 et al.), an electronic voting system that uses a voting device requiring the voter to punch out a hole in a ballot card or pull a mechanical lever as a means of recording the voter's vote shall not be used in any election in any district within this State.
L.1973,c.82,s.2; amended 2004, c.88, s.17.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-3.1 - Reimbursement for purchase, retrofit of voting machine to produce paper record, provision suspended until certain conditions met.

19:53A-3.1 Reimbursement for purchase, retrofit of voting machine to produce paper record, provision suspended until certain conditions met.
3. Unless federal funding is made available to pay for the purchase or retrofit of a voting machine to produce a voter-verified paper record as required by P.L.2005, c.137 (C.19:53A-3.1 et al.), a county shall be reimbursed by the State for such costs upon application for reimbursement to the Attorney General and approval of the application by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury, in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 5 of the New Jersey Constitution.
This provision shall be suspended until the conditions set forth in paragraph (2) of subsection b. of R.S.19:48-1 or paragraph (2) of subsection i. of section 3 of P.L.1973, c.82 (C.19:53A-3) have been met.
L.2005, c.137, s.3; amended 2009, c.17, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-4 - Approval

19:53A-4. Approval
No voting device shall be used in an election in this State unless in combination with automatic tabulating equipment used to count and tabulate ballots it meets the requirements in section 3 of this act, and has been approved by the Secretary of State, or other person, agency or board charged with the examination and approval of voting machines. When such device has been approved, any improvement or change which does not impair its accuracy, efficiency, or ability to meet such requirements shall not require a reexamination or reapproval thereof.
L.1973, c. 82, s. 4, eff. April 12, 1973.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-5 - Ballots; labels, form; samples; write-ins.

19:53A-5 Ballots; labels, form; samples; write-ins.
5. a. Ballot labels shall be in plain clear type in black, of such size and arrangement as to fit the construction of the voting device; they shall be on clear white material or on material of different colors to identify different ballots or parts of the ballot, and in primary elections to identify each political party.
b. The titles of offices and the names of candidates may be arranged in vertical columns or in a series of separate pages. The office title with a statement of the number of candidates to be voted for shall be printed above or at the side of the names of the candidates for that office. The names of candidates shall be in the order provided by law, and in general elections the party designation of each candidate, which may be abbreviated, and a slogan not to exceed six words may follow his or her name. In case there are more candidates for an office than can be arranged in one column or on one ballot page, the ballot label shall be clearly marked that the list of candidates is continued on the following column or page, and so far as possible, the same number of names shall be arranged on each column or page. Arrows may be used to indicate the place to vote for each candidate and on each measure.
c. The different parts of the ballot, such as partisan, nonpartisan, and measures, shall be prominently indicated on the ballot labels, and, if practicable, each part shall be placed on a separate page or pages. In the event that two or more elections are held on the same day, the ballot labels shall be clearly marked to indicate the ballot for each election, and, if practical, the ballot labels for each election shall be placed upon separate pages, and labels of a different color or tint may be used for each election.
d. Sample ballots, which shall be facsimile copies of the official ballot or ballot labels, shall be provided as required by law. At least three copies shall be posted in each polling place on election day. Sample ballots may be printed on a single sheet or on a number of pages stapled together.
e. In elections in which voters are authorized to vote for persons whose names do not appear on the ballot, at the discretion of the county board of elections either (1) a separate write-in ballot, which may be in the form of a paper ballot, card or envelope in which the voter places his or her ballot card after voting, shall be provided to permit voters to write in the title of the office and the name of the person or persons for whom he or she wishes to vote, or to attach a sticker of suitable size on which is printed the title of the office and the name of the person or persons for whom he or she wishes to vote; or (2) provisions shall be made for the voter to write the name of the person or persons for whom he or she wishes to vote on the ballot card in the location designated and to mark the ballot card in the location provided.
L.1973,c.82,s.5; amended 1975, c.316, s.4; 2004, c.88, s.19.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-6 - Preparation for elections; ballot cards; secrecy while marking ballot

19:53A-6. Preparation for elections; ballot cards; secrecy while marking ballot
6. a. Prior to any election at which electronic voting devices are used the county board of elections shall have the voting devices prepared for the election and shall provide the district election officers with voting devices, voting booths, ballot boxes, ballot cards, "write-in" ballots and other records and supplies as required.
b. Ballot cards shall be of the size, design and stock suitable for processing by automatic data processing machines. Each ballot card shall have an attached numbered perforated stub, which shall be removed by an election officer before it is deposited in the ballot box. In primary elections the ballot cards of each political party shall be distinctly marked or shall be of a different color or tint so that the ballot cards of each political party are readily distinguishable.
c. Unless the voting device enables the voter to mark the voter's choices in secret, the board of elections shall provide a sufficient number of voting booths for each election district in a polling place, which shall be of a size and design in accordance with the provisions of R.S.19:8-7 so as to enable the voter to mark the voter's ballot in secret.
L.1973, c. 82, s. 6, eff. April 12, 1973; amended 2022, c.67, s.8
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-9 - Absentee votes, permitted methods.

19:53A-9 Absentee votes, permitted methods.
9. Absentee votes may be cast on paper ballots or ballot cards, or both methods may be used, provided that, following the effective date of P.L.2004, c.88 (C.19:61-1 et al.), absentee votes shall not be cast in any election in this State by means of ballot cards that require the voter to punch out a hole in the card as a means of recording the voter's vote.
Such ballots may be counted by automatic tabulating equipment or by special canvassing boards appointed by and under the direction of the county board of elections. A true copy of absentee paper ballots may be made on ballot cards, which after being duly verified, shall forthwith be counted in the same manner as other ballot cards, except that, following the effective date of P.L.2004, c.88 (C.19:61-1 et al.), ballot cards that require a hole to be punched out in the card to record a vote shall not be used in any election in this State. Such paper ballots and ballot cards shall be forthwith marked with corresponding numbers, which numbering shall be done in such manner as not to identify any voter and such marking shall not be considered to be a marked ballot. Such paper ballots and corresponding ballot cards shall both be preserved in the same manner as other ballot cards are required to be preserved hereunder.
L.1973,c.82,s.9; amended 2004, c.88, s.20.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-10 - Effect of overvote or misvote

19:53A-10. Effect of overvote or misvote
Any overvote or misvote for one or more offices shall not invalidate the entire ballot.
L.1973, c. 82, s. 10, eff. April 12, 1973.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-11 - Instruction of voters; model of device

19:53A-11. Instruction of voters; model of device
For instructing the voters on any election day there shall, so far as practicable, be provided by the county board of elections or the superintendent of elections or the municipal clerk, as the case may be, having custody of voting devices, for each polling place a mechanically operated model of at least a portion of the face of the device. Such model, if furnished, shall, during the election, be located on the district election board's table or in some other place which the voters must pass to reach the voting device, and each voter shall before entering the voting device booth or before voting, be instructed regarding the operation of the device and such instruction illustrated on the model, and the voter be given opportunity personally to operate the model. The voter's attention shall also be directed to the fact of the device and he shall have the ballot explained as to the location of the public questions or referendum, the location of the officers and the names of all candidates to be voted for.
L.1973, c. 82, s. 11, eff. April 12, 1973.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-12 - Challengers

19:53A-12. Challengers
Challengers may be appointed in the same manner as provided in R.S. 19:7-1 et seq., for each counting center set up in each county and said challengers shall have the right to be present and represent the candidates or party appointing them during any time the counting center is open or operating whether for testing of equipment, programs, ballot cards or for counting the ballot cards or for any other purpose.
L.1973, c. 82, s. 12, eff. April 12, 1973.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-13 - Application of Title 19

19:53A-13. Application of Title 19
The provisions of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes except as herein modified shall be applicable to the use of electronic voting systems in elections as herein provided for.
L.1973, c. 82, s. 13, eff. April 12, 1973.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-14 - Recount

19:53A-14. Recount
In case of a recount the ballot cards shall be recounted in the manner provided by section 8 of this act unless the court ordering the recount directs that they be counted manually.
L.1973, c. 82, s. 14, eff. April 12, 1973.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53A-15 - Tampering with or willfully injuring record or equipment or interference with conduct of election; penalty; application of laws.

19:53A-15 Tampering with or willfully injuring record or equipment or interference with conduct of election; penalty; application of laws.
15. a. Any person who before, during or after an election tampers with or willfully injures any voting device, ballot cards, or other records or equipment used in the election, or interferes or attempts to interfere with the correct operation of such device or equipment or the secrecy of voting, is guilty of a crime of the third degree.
b. The penal laws and election laws relating to misconduct at elections apply to elections conducted with voting devices and automatic tabulating equipment.
L.1973,c.82,s.15; amended 2005, c.154, s.54.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-1 - Emergency ballot box packet, packages; preparation

19:53B-1. Emergency ballot box packet, packages; preparation
10. a. The county clerk or the municipal clerk, in the case of a municipal election, shall prepare an emergency ballot box packet which shall include the appropriate number of emergency ballots, the appropriate number of pre-punched single-hole white envelopes, and two tally sheets, each with a carbon duplicate copy attached. The custodian of the voting machines shall prepare and place in each emergency ballot box an emergency ballot box packet and an envelope containing a numbered white seal and a numbered red seal. The envelope shall contain, on its face, the instructions for the use of the seals, the number and the election district location of the voting machine to which the ballot box is attached, and the identification numbers of the white and red seals that were placed in the envelope. The emergency ballot box shall be sealed with a numbered green security seal before being shipped to each election district as provided in R.S.19:48-6.
b. For the primary for the general election, the emergency ballots shall be printed on paper of a color that matches the color of the voting authority, which shall indicate the party primary of the voter. The emergency ballots shall be uniform in size, quality and type and of a thickness that the printing thereon cannot be distinguished from the back of the paper, and without any mark, device or figure on the front or back other than as provided in this amendatory and supplementary act, P.L.1992, c.3 (C.19:53B-1 et al.).
The clerk of the county or municipality having custody of the emergency ballots shall prepare each emergency ballot package with a minimum of 30 emergency ballots for each political party. If the clerk determines, based upon the number of registered voters with party affiliations, that an election district shall require more than 30 emergency ballots per party primary, additional emergency ballots shall be delivered to that election district.
c. For the general election the emergency ballots shall be printed on paper of the color of the voting authority. The emergency ballots shall be uniform in size, quality and type and of a thickness that the printing thereon cannot be distinguished from the back of the paper, and without any mark, device or figure on the front or back other than as provided in this amendatory and supplementary act.
The clerk of the county or municipality shall prepare each emergency ballot package with a minimum of 30 emergency ballots. If the clerk determines that an election district shall require more than 30 emergency ballots based on the number of registered voters, additional emergency ballots shall be delivered to that election district.
L.1992,c.3,s.10.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-2 - Distribution, use of emergency ballots

19:53B-2. Distribution, use of emergency ballots
11. a. The board shall not permit other emergency ballots to be used at an election except the emergency ballots which are provided for by this amendatory and supplementary act, P.L.1992, c.3 (C.19:53B-1 et al.). It shall confine the distribution and use of the emergency ballots to the polling room and election district in the manner herein directed, and shall not distribute emergency ballots, other than official sample emergency ballots as herein provided, outside the polling place or election district.
b. The board shall not keep emergency ballots or pre-punched single-hole plain white envelopes to enclose emergency ballots cast during the election in a polling booth or, if a polling booth is unusable, in the area designated for voters to mark the emergency ballot.
c. The board shall cause each booth or voting area in a polling place to be kept provided with sufficient lead pencils to enable the voters to mark their emergency ballots.
d. The county board of elections shall prepare complete written instructions regarding the procedures for the use of the emergency ballot boxes for each district board member. The board members shall be orally instructed on the procedures for the use of emergency ballots at the training classes held for the board members.
L.1992,c.3,s.11.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-3 - Voting with emergency ballots

19:53B-3. Voting with emergency ballots
12. a. If for any cause a voting machine fails to operate, the district board shall use the supply of emergency ballots that are on hand at the opening of the polls. The mode and manner of voting the emergency ballots shall in all respects conform as nearly as possible to the mode and manner of voting herein described.
b. If for any reason emergency ballots shall not be ready or available for distribution at any polling place, or if the supply of emergency ballots shall be exhausted before the polls are closed, the district board member in charge shall notify the appropriate authority that additional ballots shall be required.
L.1992,c.3,s.12.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-4 - Use of emergency ballot box

19:53B-4. Use of emergency ballot box
13. If it becomes necessary to use the emergency ballot box, and if the numbers on the green seal and the voting machine key envelope were identical when previously examined as provided in R.S.19:52-1, the judge of the district board shall remove the emergency ballots and the envelope containing the numbered white and red seals from the box; shall open the envelope, remove the seals, compare the numbers on the seals with those on the face of the envelope, and note on the envelope any discrepancies; shall place the red seal back in the envelope and return the envelope to the ballot box; and shall, in an open and public manner, exhibit the emergency ballot box so that those present may see that the box is now empty except for the envelope containing the numbered red seal. The judge shall close and re-seal the emergency ballot box with the numbered white seal removed from the envelope in the box, leaving open the aperture in the lid thereof.
If the numbers on the green seal and the voting machine key envelope were not identical when previously examined as provided in R.S.19:52-1 but the appropriate county board of elections, superintendent of elections, or municipal clerk, as the case may be, has authorized the use of the emergency ballot box, the emergency ballot box may be opened and handled in the manner prescribed above. If the appropriate county board, superintendent, or municipal clerk, as the case may be, has not yet authorized the use of the emergency ballot box, the appropriate county board, superintendent, or municipal clerk shall again be notified and the emergency ballot box shall not be opened until that county board, superintendent, or municipal clerk authorizes the use of the box.
L.1992,c.3,s.13.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-5 - Procedure for voter use of emergency ballots

19:53B-5. Procedure for voter use of emergency ballots
14. After the district board ascertains that a voter is properly registered and qualified to vote, the member of the board charged with maintaining the signature copy register shall require the voter to sign the signature copy register and shall have the voter sign the part of the two-part perforated voting authority that shall remain bound in the pad. The member shall record the voting authority number in the proper column of the signature copy register, except that in a primary for the general election, the member shall also record the party primary in which the voter voted.
In the proper columns, the voter shall sign the reverse side of the signature copy register and the board member shall initial the signature of the voter.
After the voter signs the voting authority, the member of the board in charge of the signature copy register shall give the voter the unsigned portion of the two-part voting authority. The voter shall return that portion to the district election board member in charge of the operation of the voting machine at that time. The member shall place each authority in consecutive order on a string or wire prior to furnishing a voter with an emergency ballot and a plain white single-hole punched envelope.
No emergency ballot shall be handed to a voter until there is a polling booth ready for occupancy or, if a booth is unusable, the area designated for voters to mark the emergency ballot is ready. If a voting area is used, the voter shall be provided with a privacy screen at the same time that the emergency ballot is provided.
The inspector shall instruct the voter how to place the voted emergency ballot into the pre-punched single-hole plain white envelope.
L.1992,c.3,s.14.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-6 - Emergency ballots marked secretly; violation.

19:53B-6 Emergency ballots marked secretly; violation.
15. Every voter to whom an emergency ballot is given shall retire into the polling booth or to the designated voting area, as the case may be. Not more than one voter shall be permitted to enter or be in the same booth or voting area at one time. The voter shall prepare the emergency ballot in the booth or the voting area screened from the observation of others.
Any person or voter who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
L.1992,c.3,s.15; amended 2005, c.154, s.55.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-7 - Method of marking ballot

19:53B-7. Method of marking ballot
16. To vote for a candidate whose name is printed in any column, the voter shall mark a cross x, plus + or check / in the square provided for the name of each candidate in any column for whom the voter chooses to vote.
To vote upon the public questions printed on the emergency ballot, the voter shall indicate the choice of the voter by marking a cross x, plus + or check / in the square provided for either the word "Yes" or "No" of each public question.
L.1992,c.3,s.16.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-8 - Personal choice column provided on emergency ballots

19:53B-8. Personal choice column provided on emergency ballots
17. Nothing in this amendatory and supplementary act, P.L.1992, c.3 (C.19:53B-1 et al.) shall prevent any voter from writing or pasting within the proper title of office in the column designated personal choice, the name or names of any person or persons for whom the voter desires to vote whose name or names are not printed upon the emergency ballot for the same office. The voter shall mark a cross x , plus + or check in the square provided for such name. The writing shall be in ink or pencil.
L.1992,c.3,s.17; amended 1994,c.77,s.11.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-9 - Spoiled emergency ballots

19:53B-9. Spoiled emergency ballots
18. If any voter to whom any official emergency ballot has been handed spoils or renders the same unfit for use, the voter shall return the emergency ballot and the pre-punched single-hole plain white envelope to a district board member. The voter shall be furnished with another emergency ballot and envelope. No more than two official emergency ballots shall be furnished to a voter, except at the discretion of the board members.
The district board members shall preserve each spoiled emergency ballot and place that ballot in the pre-punched single-hole plain white envelope and the district board member shall write "SPOILED" across both the front and back of the envelope. On the "SPOILED" white envelope each district board member shall sign and date the signature of the member. Immediately thereafter, the "SPOILED" white envelope shall be sealed and placed in the emergency ballot box.
L.1992,c.3,s.18.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-10 - Voted emergency ballot placed in sealed envelope

19:53B-10. Voted emergency ballot placed in sealed envelope
19. After voting the emergency ballot and before leaving the polling booth or the designated voting area, as the case may be, the voter shall place the voted emergency ballot in the pre-punched single-hole plain white envelope. The voter shall seal the envelope and shall retain custody of the envelope until the member of the board having charge of the voting machine at that time is ready to accept the envelope.
L.1992,c.3,s.19.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-11 - Deposit of sealed envelope in emergency ballot box

19:53B-11. Deposit of sealed envelope in emergency ballot box
20. The voter shall hand the sealed envelope to the member of the election board having charge of the voting machine. The member shall keep the sealed white envelope in full view of the voter, the other district board members and all other persons present until it is deposited in the ballot box. The voter may also take hold of the envelope, with that member of the board, until the emergency ballot is deposited into the emergency ballot box.
L.1992,c.3,s.20.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-12 - Challenge of voter using emergency ballot, electronic voting machine.

19:53B-12 Challenge of voter using emergency ballot, electronic voting machine.
21. The right to challenge a voter who uses the emergency ballot shall exist until the emergency ballot is deposited in the emergency ballot box. If the right of a person to vote is challenged, the same procedures shall be used as prescribed when the right of a person to cast a vote on an electronic voting machine is challenged.
L.1992,c.3,s.21; amended 2004, c.88, s.21.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-14 - Void emergency ballots

19:53B-14. Void emergency ballots
23. In counting the emergency ballots, the board shall deem void all emergency ballots which are wholly blank, or on which more names have been marked for every office than there are persons to be elected to the office, and on which both "Yes" and "No" have been marked upon every public question.
No emergency ballot which shall have, either on its face or back, any mark, sign, erasure, designation or device whatsoever, other than that which is permitted by this amendatory and supplementary act, P.L.1992, c.3 (C.19:53B-1 et al.), by which the emergency ballot shall be distinguished from another emergency ballot shall be declared void unless the district board canvassing those emergency 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 emergency ballot was intended to identify or distinguish the emergency ballot.
No emergency 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 emergency ballot cast for any candidate shall be invalid by reason of the fact that the name of that candidate may be misprinted, or the Christian name or the initials of the candidate may be omitted.
No emergency ballot cast for any candidate shall be invalid by reason of the use of any label permitted by this amendatory and supplementary act, P.L.1992, c.3 (C.19:53B-1 et al.) on which the title of office may be printed or the name of the candidate may be misprinted or part of the Christian name or surname or the initials of the candidate may be omitted, or because the voter in writing the name of the candidate may misspell the name or omit part of the Christian name or surname or the initials of the candidate.
No emergency ballot shall be declared void or invalid, by reason of having a cross x, plus + or check / appearing in a square provided for a blank space, or a space wherein no name is printed.
L.1992,c.3,s.23.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-15 - Void emergency ballots not counted

19:53B-15. Void emergency ballots not counted
24. In every case in which an emergency ballot shall be declared invalid, the same, which shall be enclosed in a pre-punched single-hole plain white envelope shall not be canvassed or counted, but shall be marked "VOID" on the outside thereof, and shall be numbered and placed in proper order on the string or wire with the valid ballots as provided in section 26 of this amendatory and supplementary act, P.L.1992, c.3 (C.19:53B-17).
Emergency ballots which shall be declared invalid with respect to a part of the candidates 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 emergency ballots and placed in their proper order on the string or wire with the valid ballots.
L.1992,c.3,s.24.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-16 - Decision of district board final, dissension

19:53B-16. Decision of district board final, dissension
25. 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 dissents from any decision and wishes to make the dissension known to avoid any of the consequences which may result from that decision, the member may record the dissent in the signature copy register. The member shall sign the signature copy register to record the dissent. If the member fails to sign the signature copy register, the member shall be deemed to have assented to the decision so made.
L.1992,c.3,s.25.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-17 - Reading of emergency ballots

19:53B-17. Reading of emergency ballots
26. The district board members, in the actual procedure of counting the emergency ballots, shall break the seal and open the emergency ballot box. The emergency ballots shall be taken singly and separately therefrom by the judge of the election board. Ballot envelopes marked "SPOILED" shall be set aside and remain unopened, and at the conclusion of counting the emergency ballots shall be placed on the string or wire after all other ballots. The outside front of each envelope which contains a voted emergency ballot shall be numbered in consecutive order beginning with the number one. This number shall be circled. While each emergency ballot shall remain in the hands of the judge, the judge shall audibly and publicly read the ballot in full view of the other members of the district board, including the inspector of the district election board. The inspector shall verify that each emergency ballot is being correctly read by the judge. The remaining members of the district election board shall record the votes on the tally sheets, as provided. The district board members shall also record the number of void ballots on the tally sheets, as provided.
After the reading of an emergency ballot, including a ballot determined to be void, and before taking another emergency ballot from the box, the judge shall deliver the ballot to the inspector, who shall write on the back thereof the number of the emergency ballot in consecutive order beginning with the number one, in the order in which the same shall have been taken from the box; and shall string the envelope that contains the emergency ballot as one ticket in the order in which the envelope was taken from the box and numbered, on the string or wire to be provided for that purpose.
The outside front of each envelope that contains a voided emergency ballot shall have the word "VOID" written next to the circled number.
After all the envelopes which contain the emergency ballots cast in one election district have been tallied and strung, the envelopes shall be returned to the ballot box. All unused emergency ballots and pre-punched single-hole plain white envelopes shall also be placed in the emergency ballot box.
L.1992,c.3,s.26.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-18 - Tallying of votes

19:53B-18. Tallying of votes
27. a. The clerks of the board shall, upon the tally sheets provided for that purpose, make a list of the names of all persons for whom one or more votes shall have been given, designating the office which that person shall be voted for, and of any public questions voted upon; and as each emergency ballot shall be read, the members shall write the figure "1" opposite the name of each person whose name is contained thereon, as designated for any office, or in the proper column designating the vote upon the public question.
b. When all the votes which were cast have been read, examined, numbered and strung, as directed, the board shall tally the votes given for each person for any office to be filled at the election or any public question and note the same upon the tally sheets. The tally sheets shall be signed by all the members of the district board. One of the tally sheets shall be placed in the emergency ballot box and the emergency ballot box shall be sealed with the remaining numbered red seal. The other tally sheet shall be filed with the county clerk at the same time the statements of results are delivered.
L.1992,c.3,s.27.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-19 - Emergency ballot tally added to machine tally

19:53B-19. Emergency ballot tally added to machine tally
28. When the machine tally is completed, the district board members shall record the results of the emergency ballot tally, if any ballots were voted, on the statement of canvass in the section provided and shall add the emergency ballot tally to the machine tally.
L.1992,c.3,s.28.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-20 - Ballots remain sealed in box for 15 days; when removable

19:53B-20. Ballots remain sealed in box for 15 days; when removable
29. When district board members have processed both voted and non-voted emergency ballots, the ballots shall remain sealed within the box for a period of 15 calendar days, which shall begin on the first business day after the day of the election, except that if a judge of the Superior Court issues a court order to open the box within the 15-day period, the box shall be opened.
On the first business day after the 15-day period, the custodian of the voting machines shall break the numbered security seals and the emergency ballot boxes shall be opened. All voted emergency ballots located within an emergency ballot box shall be removed from the box and shall be placed in a container or an envelope and sealed. The front of each container or envelope shall contain the number of the voting machine, the name of the municipality and the ward or district number where the machine was located during the election. The commissioner of registration shall preserve the containers or envelopes and the contents of the containers or envelopes for a period of two years from the date that the election occurred.
L.1992,c.3,s.29.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:53B-21 - List by district, number of emergency ballots used.

19:53B-21 List by district, number of emergency ballots used.
1. Within 15 calendar days after an election other than a general election or three days after the certification of the results of that election, whichever occurs later, or in the case of a general election on the day of the certification of the results of the general election, the county board of election in each county shall prepare a report which lists by election district, and includes a county wide total by category for, the number of emergency ballots, including any spoiled, void, or invalid emergency ballots, used in the election. The report shall be a government record that is available for public inspection and copying pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.).
L.2005,c.152,s.1; amended 2023, c.124, s.10.