BillTrack50 logo
Free Signup Login
Bill

Bill > A1913

NJ A1913

NJ A1913
Permits 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in elections for local school board.

summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, any person who is at least 18 years of age, who is a citizen of the United States, and who is a resident of the district in which they wish to vote, is entitled to register and vote in elections in this State. This bill permits 16 and 17-year-olds, who are U.S. citizens and residents of New Jersey, to vote only in their local school elections for school board members. The bill does not allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in any other election. The bill directs the Secretary of State to promulgate rules that: (1) create a registration form and a process to register 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections, which conforms as nearly as possible to the equivalent form and process utilized for all other eligible voters; (2) establish a method of verifying the identity of registered 16 and 17-year-old voters which conforms as nearly as possible to the methods utilized for all other eligible voters; (3) provide for the design of paper ballots on which 16 and 17-year-olds may vote for school board members; and (4) ensure the provisions of this act are implemented effectively and in a manner compatible with all other elections held in this State. This bill does not require action on the part of any school board or municipality in order to implement its provisions.

AI Summary

This bill allows 16 and 17-year-old United States citizens who have resided in a school district for 30 days to vote in local school board elections, a change from current law which requires voters to be at least 18 years old. The Secretary of State is tasked with creating simplified registration forms and processes for these younger voters, ensuring their identity can be verified similarly to other voters, and designing appropriate paper ballots, all while making sure these new provisions integrate smoothly with existing election procedures. Importantly, this bill specifically limits this voting privilege to school board elections and does not grant 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in any other type of election, nor does it require any action from school boards or municipalities to implement these changes.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 01/13/2026)
(3 Companion Bills)

bill text

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1913
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1913_I1.HTM
Loading...