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Bill > A3298
NJ A3298
NJ A3298Requires candidates for county committee to receive number of write-in votes at least equal to number of signatures required to be placed on ballot in order to be elected.
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 candidates for county committee whose name does not appear on the ballot to receive the number of write-in votes at least equal to the number of signatures required to be placed on ballot, in order to be elected. Under current law, N.J.S.A.19:23-8, candidates for county committee must receive a certain number of signatures to be placed on the primary election ballot. In a municipality that has a population over 14,000, the candidate is required to receive at least 50 signatures of voters on a petition. In all other municipalities, the candidate is required to receive at least 25 signatures. However, the number of signers may be fewer than these minimums, but is required to be at least 5 percent in number of the total vote cast by the voters of that political party at the last preceding primary election held for the election of that party's candidates for the General Assembly. In no case, however, would there be fewer than one signer of any such petition.
AI Summary
This bill requires that any candidate for county committee who is not listed on the primary election ballot, but instead relies on write-in votes, must receive at least as many write-in votes as the number of signatures a candidate would need to collect on a petition to get their name on the ballot in the first place. Currently, the number of required signatures varies by municipality: over 14,000 population requires 50 signatures, while smaller municipalities require 25, with a minimum of 5% of the party's last primary vote or at least one signature. This change aims to ensure that write-in candidates for county committee demonstrate a comparable level of support to those who go through the petition process.
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/A3298 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3500/3298_I1.HTM |
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