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NJ S1649

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/13/2026

Primary Sponsor

Andrew Zwicker

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026-2027 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Establishes ranked-choice voting for New Jersey presidential primaries and general elections for President and Vice-President electors, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference
  • Ballots must allow voters to rank all qualified candidates including write-ins, with a minimum of six ranking positions if voting equipment cannot accommodate all candidates
  • Votes are counted in rounds: the candidate with fewest votes is eliminated each round, and those ballots transfer to voters' next-ranked choice until one candidate reaches over 50% of votes
  • Ties for fewest votes in any round are resolved by lot, and ballots become "exhausted" if they contain no remaining ranked candidates, overvotes, or consecutive skipped rankings
  • Takes effect on January 1st following 12 months after the Secretary of State certifies all state voting machines can support ranked-choice voting procedures

Legislative Description

Establishes ranked-choice voting procedure for presidential primaries and general elections for electors for United States President and Vice-President.

State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee

1/13/2026

Committee Referrals

State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation1/13/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available