Bill Text: NJ A2179 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits display of political party affilliation on mail-in ballot envelopes.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State Government Committee [A2179 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A2179-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman NANCY F. MUNOZ
District 21 (Essex, Morris, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits display of political party affiliation on mail-in ballot envelopes.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the mailing of mail-in ballots and amending P.L.2009. c.79.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 7 of P.L.2009, c.79 (C.19:63-7) is amended to read as follows:
7. a. Each county clerk shall have printed sufficient mail-in ballots for each presidential primary election, primary election for the general election, and for the general election. Along with such ballots the clerk shall also furnish inner and outer envelopes and printed directions for the preparation and transmitting of such ballots used in the election in the county. An envelope containing a ballot to be transmitted to a voter shall not display the political affiliation of the voter.
b. The mail-in ballots shall be printed on paper of a different color from that used for any primary or general election ballot, but in all other respects, shall be as nearly as possible facsimiles of the election ballot to be voted at the election. The outer envelope shall not display the political party affiliation of the voter.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.79, s.7)
2. Section 12 of P.L.2009, c.79 (C.19:63-12) is amended to read as follows:
12. Each county clerk shall send, with each mail-in ballot, printed directions for the preparation and transmitting of the ballots as required by this act. The directions shall be printed in such manner and form as the Secretary of State shall require, together with two envelopes of such sizes that one will contain the other.
The outer envelope shall be addressed to the county board of elections of the county in which is located the home address of the person to whom the mail-in ballot is sent, as certified by the county clerk. At the discretion of the county clerk, the outer envelope may be a postage paid return envelope. On the outside and front of each outer envelope, there shall be printed or stamped the following:
To protect your vote:
IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR ANYONE EXCEPT YOU THE VOTER TO MAIL OR TRANSPORT THIS BALLOT UNLESS THE ENVELOPE IS SEALED AND THE FOLLOWING IS COMPLETED:
Ballot mailed or transported by
(signature of bearer)
(print name of bearer)
(address of bearer)
The [reserve] reverse side of the outer envelope shall contain the following:
REMINDER
For your vote to count, you must:
1) Vote your ballot and place it in the inner envelope with the attached certificate.
2) Seal the envelope.
3) Place the envelope into the larger envelope addressed to the board of elections and seal that envelope.
4) If another person will be mailing your ballot or bringing it to the board of elections, MAKE CERTAIN THAT PERSON COMPLETES THE "BEARER PORTION" ON THE ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS BEFORE THE BALLOT IS TAKEN FROM YOU. NO PERSON WHO IS A CANDIDATE IN THE ELECTION FOR WHICH THE VOTER REQUESTS THIS BALLOT IS PERMITTED TO SERVE AS A BEARER.
The outer envelope shall not display the political party affiliation of the voter.
The Secretary of State is authorized to make such changes to the instructions for mail-in ballot materials as the Secretary of State deems necessary or as is mandated by federal or State law.
The inner envelope shall be so designed that it can be sealed after the mail-in ballot has been placed therein and the flap thereof shall be of such length and size as to leave sufficient margin, after sealing, for the printing thereon of the certificate hereinafter described. The flap shall be so arranged that, after the inner envelope has been sealed, the certificate can be contained, with the inner envelope, in the outer envelope, and that the margin containing the certificate can be detached without unsealing the inner envelope.
On the outside of each envelope in which a mail-in ballot is sent to a mail-in voter by the clerk, there shall be printed or stamped the words "Official Mail-In Ballot." In addition, there shall be printed or stamped the following:
To protect your vote:
IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR ANYONE EXCEPT YOU THE VOTER TO OPEN, MARK, INSPECT OR SEAL THIS BALLOT.
However, a family member may assist you in doing so.
The reverse side of each inner envelope shall contain the following statement:
A PERSON MAY BE FINED AND
IMPRISONED AND MAY ALSO LOSE THE RIGHT TO VOTE UNTIL RESTORED BY LAW if that
person attempts to vote fraudulently by mail-in ballot, prevents the voting of
a legal voter, certifies falsely any
information, interferes with a person's secrecy of voting, tampers with ballots
or election documents or helps another person to do so.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.79, s.12)
3. This act shall take effect on January 1 next following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill would prohibit the display of the political party affiliation of a voter on the envelope of a mail-in ballot sent to a voter and on the outer envelope that the voter returns with the voted ballot. The purpose of the bill is to protect the privacy of mail-in voters, and discourage tampering with mail-in ballots based on political party affiliation.
