Bill
Bill > A3897
NJ A3897
NJ A3897Requires candidate for elective public office to file with nominating petition specific affirmation that candidate has not been convicted of disqualifying crimes.
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 would require any candidate for State, county, or municipal elective public office to file with their nominating petition a specific affirmation that they are qualified to hold office, have not been convicted of any crime, and specifically have not been convicted of any disqualifying crime. Under current law, a candidate for Governor or Lieutenant Governor or the State Senate or General Assembly is required to annex to their nominating petition a statement signed by the candidate that they: (1) have not been convicted of any offense graded by Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes as a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree, or any offense in any other jurisdiction which, if committed in this State, would constitute such a crime; or (2) have been so convicted, in which case, the candidate is required to disclose on the statement the crime for which convicted, the date and place of the conviction and the penalties imposed for the conviction. Records expunged pursuant to chapter 52 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes are not subject to disclosure. Under current law, candidates for school board are also required to file with their nominating petition a specific affirmation that they are qualified for such office and have not been convicted of any disqualifying crime. This bill would expand that requirement to include any candidate for State, county, or municipal elective public office.
AI Summary
This bill expands the requirement for candidates seeking elective public office in New Jersey to affirm their eligibility and criminal history when filing their nominating petitions. Currently, candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Senate, General Assembly, and school board must provide a statement confirming they have not been convicted of certain serious crimes (graded as first, second, third, or fourth-degree crimes under Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, or equivalent offenses in other jurisdictions) or disclose any such convictions, along with details of the conviction and penalties. This bill extends this requirement to all candidates for State, county, and municipal elective public office, mandating that they specifically affirm they have not been convicted of a "disqualifying crime," which refers to these serious offenses, or provide details if they have been convicted, with exceptions for expunged records.
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/A3897 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4000/3897_I1.HTM |
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