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Bill > A136
NJ A136
NJ A136Requires notice be provided upon changes to voter registration; prohibits changes in party affiliation from being processed after statutory deadline.
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 prohibits the commissioner of registration in each county from modifying or updating a voter's registration with regard to the voter's party affiliation after the statutory deadline. Under current law, in order to vote in a political party's primary election, a voter must be deemed to be a member of that party on the 55th day next preceding such primary election. Voters who are unaffiliated or newly registered voters are not subject to this deadline. Under the bill, the commissioner must notify any voter who submits a voter registration form indicating a change in party affiliation within five business days of receiving such voter registration form that: (1) the voter's change in party affiliation has not been processed; (2) the voter remains a member of the political party to which the voter previously belonged; and (3) the voter is eligible to vote in the primary election of the political party to which the voter is affiliated. Any voter who is denied the right to vote in their preferred primary election based upon a voter registration file that reflects the incorrect party affiliation will be allowed to vote via a provisional ballot and shall be provided with information as to how to initiate judicial review of the voter's status before a court of competent jurisdiction. If, upon review, the district board canvassing the ballot, the county board of elections, or a judge of the Superior Court or other judge hearing the voter's case determines that the voter had lawfully associated with the voter's preferred political party prior to the established deadline, then the provisional ballot shall be counted. The bill also requires that, whenever a voter submits a voter registration form, the commissioner of registration must notify the voter within seven business days of the receipt of the registration form.
AI Summary
This bill requires that county commissioners of registration must notify voters within five business days if their requested change in party affiliation cannot be processed, informing them that they will remain affiliated with their previous party and are eligible to vote in that party's primary election. This is particularly important because, to vote in a primary election for a specific political party, a voter must be registered with that party by a statutory deadline, which is 55 days before the primary election; voters who are unaffiliated or newly registered are exempt from this deadline. If a voter is incorrectly listed with the wrong party affiliation and is therefore denied the right to vote in their preferred primary, they can cast a provisional ballot, and if a court or election board later determines they were lawfully affiliated with their preferred party before the deadline, that provisional ballot will be counted. The bill also mandates that commissioners must notify all voters within seven business days of receiving any voter registration form, not just those changing party affiliation.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
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/A136 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A0500/136_I1.HTM |
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