Bill
Bill > S4863
NJ S4863
NJ S4863"Election Integrity and Voter Protection Act"; restricts presence of active duty military and certain law enforcement near polling places and ballot drop boxes.
summary
Introduced
10/19/2026
10/19/2026
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill, designated as the "Election Integrity and Voter Protection Act," restricts the presence of active duty military and certain law enforcement near polling places and ballot drop boxes in this State. Under current law, State and local law enforcement officers are restricted from standing or remaining within 100 feet of a polling place or a ballot drop box during the conduct of an election. This bill additionally restricts federal law enforcement officers and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the New Jersey National Guard from standing or remaining within 100 feet of a polling place or ballot drop box during the conduct of an election. Current law provides certain exceptions to when State and local law enforcement officers may stand or remain within 100 feet of a polling place or a ballot drop box. The bill applies those same exceptions to federal law enforcement officers and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the New Jersey National Guard. The bill adds an exception for when members of the New Jersey National Guard are called upon by the Governor to protect voter access to polling places and ballot drop boxes. The bill also allows the Attorney General to bring a civil action in the appropriate Superior Court for injunctive relief to prevent violations of the bill's provisions. The bill defines "law enforcement officer" to mean a member of any federal, State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, department, or division of those governments who is statutorily empowered to act for the detection, investigation, arrest, conviction, detention, or rehabilitation of persons violating the laws of this State or of the United States.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "Election Integrity and Voter Protection Act," amends New Jersey election laws to expand existing restrictions regarding who may be present near polling places and mail-in ballot drop boxes during an election. While current law already prohibits State and local police officers from remaining within 100 feet of a polling place or drop box—with certain exceptions for emergencies, voting in a personal capacity, or assisting voters—this legislation extends those same 100-foot buffer zone rules to federal law enforcement officers, active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and members of the New Jersey National Guard. Furthermore, the bill prohibits these federal officers and military personnel from serving on district boards of elections or acting as political party challengers, while establishing specific exceptions allowing the Governor to deploy the National Guard to protect voter access, permitting designated election observers (such as those authorized by Congress, the U.S. Department of Justice, or the State Attorney General), and empowering the Attorney General to file civil lawsuits in the Superior Court to seek injunctive relief—a court order stopping a threatened or ongoing violation—against anyone breaking these rules.
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Introduced, 1st Reading without Reference, 2nd Reading (on 10/19/2026)
Bill Topics
Civil Rights, Minority Issues, and Civil Liberties
- ‐ Voting Rights and Issues
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S4863 | 10/20/2026 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S5000/4863_I1.HTM | 10/20/2026 |
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