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Bill > A730
NJ A730
NJ A730Requires blank nominating petition forms for municipal candidates to be made available only from municipal clerks.
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 blank nominating petition forms for municipal candidates to be made available only from municipal clerks. Under current law, completed petitions are filed by candidates with the respective election officer or officers - such as the Secretary of State, county clerks, or municipal clerks - depending on whether the race is Statewide, countywide, or only within a single municipality. Certain counties make the blank petition forms for countywide and municipal races available at the county clerk's office or on an official county website. However, other counties do not provide the blank municipal petition forms but instead provide a link or telephone number where the municipal candidate can contact the respective municipal clerk to obtain the form. Under this bill, the blank forms of petitions to be used by candidates to be voted for by the voters of a single municipality would be made available only from the municipal clerks of the respective municipalities where the nominated candidates are to be voted for. This would apply with respect to both primary and general election petitions.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that blank nominating petition forms, which candidates use to gather signatures to get on the ballot, for municipal elections must now only be obtained directly from the municipal clerk of the specific town or city where the candidate is running. Previously, while completed petitions were filed with various election officials depending on the race's scope (statewide, county, or municipal), blank forms for municipal races were sometimes available from county clerks or their websites, or candidates were directed to contact the municipal clerk. This change clarifies that for both primary and general elections, candidates seeking to run for office within a single municipality must get their blank petition forms exclusively from that municipality's clerk.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government 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/A730 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/730_I1.HTM |
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