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S 2865

An Act relative to school library standards

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 12 co-sponsors

Allows voters to cast ballots at any polling place within their municipality on election day, with uniform check-in and ballot identification across sites.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 2865

Summary: The Voter Convenience Act (S 2865)

Overview

S 2865, known as The Voter Convenience Act, would reform where voters may cast their ballots on election day in New Jersey. The bill authorizes, at the discretion of county boards, voting at any polling place within a voter’s municipality (and potentially at designated countywide polling places) rather than only at a voter’s assigned district polling place. The bill is currently reported out of the Senate Committee with amendments and is moving through the 2nd Reading process. It was introduced in September 2025 and has a companion bill A 4055.

Purpose and intent

  • Increase flexibility for voters by allowing them to vote at any polling place within their municipality on election day.
  • Modernize the check-in and ballot-casting process through standardized guidelines and electronic poll books.
  • Provide voters with the correct ballot identifying their election district, regardless of polling place.
  • Improve transparency by listing polling-place locations on sample ballots and, where feasible, countywide polling locations.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishes “The Voter Convenience Act.”
  • Creates uniform guidelines (Secretary of State, in collaboration with county clerks, county boards of elections, and superintendents of elections) to implement the municipal-wide polling-place concept on election day.
  • District boards at each polling place would be organized to allow any member to check in any voter within the municipality using electronic poll books (C.19:31-35 et seq.).
  • Voters may cast a ballot at any voting machine at the polling place, with the ballot identifying the voter’s election district. The need to issue a separate voting authority may be replaced where technology permits.
  • Option to extend the concept to countywide polling places within the county of residence on election day.
  • Counties may determine the number of district-board members needed at polling places where the new process is implemented.
  • Sample ballots (general and primary) would include a list of polling-place locations (or a website listing locations) for the days and hours polls are open.
  • The act requires the inclusion of a website listing polling places on sample ballots where applicable.
  • Effective immediately.

Who would be affected

  • Voters: benefit from greater location flexibility on election day.
  • County clerks, county boards of elections, superintendents of elections: responsible for implementing guidelines and overseeing the new process.
  • District boards of elections and poll workers: would operate under modified check-in procedures and polling-place organization.
  • Voter registration and election administration systems, including electronic poll books and ballot distribution.

Implementation and timeline

  • Uniform guidelines to be developed by the Secretary of State in conjunction with county officials.
  • Discretion granted to counties to implement the program.
  • Immediate effect upon enactment; continued regulatory and operational development by the involved agencies.

Related information

  • Companion bill: A 4055.
  • Sponsors: Sen. Mark R. Warner (primary) and Sen. Susan M. Collins (cosponsor).

This summary captures the bill’s core purpose, major provisions, affected entities, and key procedural notes to help readers understand its potential impact on New Jersey elections.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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