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NJ A4969

Bill

Status

Passed

10/1/2025

Primary Sponsor

Luanne Peterpaul

Click for details

Origin

General Assembly

2024-2025 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Grants district boards and county boards of elections discretion to determine voter intent when counting ballots, even if marks are not placed precisely in the designated squares or are not standard crosses, plus signs, or check marks

  • Allows votes to be counted when marks appear to the right of candidate names if the board determines the voter intended to vote for that candidate

  • Permits counting of write-in votes when a candidate's name is written reasonably close to the appropriate office position with an accompanying mark or the word "Yes"

  • Requires boards to determine whether unusual marks, signs, erasures, or devices on ballots were intended to identify or distinguish the ballot (making it void) versus simply reflecting voter error

  • Directs the Secretary of State to establish uniform statewide guidelines, in consultation with county boards of elections, for assessing ballot validity and voter intent

Legislative Description

Ensures boards of elections have discretion to make initial determination of validity of cast ballots; requires Secretary of State to establish uniform guidelines for assessing validity of ballots.

Bills and Joint Resolutions Signed by the Governor

Last Action

Approved P.L.2025, c.150.

10/1/2025

Committee Referrals

State and Local Government10/21/2024

Full Bill Text

No bill text available