Bill
Bill > S1636
NJ S1636
NJ S1636Requires at least one drive-up ballot drop box in each county; requires certain information to be posted at ballot drop boxes and locations.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the county board of elections in each county to establish at least one drive-up ballot drop box in the county and to post certain information at ballot drop boxes and locations. Under current law, each county board of elections is required to establish at least 10 ballot drop boxes at locations throughout the county following several criteria. Under this bill, at least one of those locations would be required to be a "drive-up ballot drop box," defined as a ballot drop box and location designed and evaluated to possess accessible features including, but not limited to, sufficient vehicle turning radius adjacent to the driver side, curb cuts, availability of handicap parking, and an unimpeded path to the ballot drop box from handicap parking. The bill requires the drive-up ballot drop box to be easy to locate and readily visible by voters with adequate lighting and a clear line of sight from the street and parking area. The bill would also require certain information to be posted at ballot drop boxes and drop box locations. Under the bill, all ballot drop boxes would be marked as an "Official Ballot Drop Box." In addition, in a uniform manner prescribed by the Secretary of State, the following information would be posted at drop boxes and drop box locations in all languages required under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and under current law for the county: the penalties for drop box tampering; a-toll free voter hotline; a statement indicating that no postage is necessary for depositing the ballot into the drop box; a statement indicating that the drop box is for mail-in ballots only for that county; and a statement informing the public of the applicable deadline for accepting ballots at the drop box. Finally, the bill directs the Secretary of State and county boards of elections to include guidelines for county boards of elections to follow to establish an electioneering boundary of 100 feet around each ballot drop box in compliance with current law. The bill requires the posting of signs and information to notify the public of the prohibited electioneering activities within the boundary of the ballot drop box.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that each county election board must establish at least one drive-up ballot drop box, which is specifically designed with features like adequate turning space for vehicles, curb cuts, and accessible parking to ensure ease of use for voters, especially those with disabilities. Additionally, all ballot drop boxes must be clearly marked as "Official Ballot Drop Box" and display important information in multiple languages, including penalties for tampering, a toll-free voter hotline, a notice that no postage is required, a clarification that the box is for mail-in ballots for that specific county only, and the deadline for ballot acceptance. The bill also directs election officials to establish and clearly mark a 100-foot electioneering-free zone around each drop box to prevent campaigning or political activity near the drop-off locations.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1636 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1636_I1.HTM |
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