WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 4163

Establishes municipal election mobile voting pilot program.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Stack

The bill creates a municipal election mobile voting pilot to test secure, accessible mobile voting for local elections before broader adoption.

0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4163

Summary of Bill S 4163 (Session 222) – New Jersey

Title

Establishes municipal election mobile voting pilot program.

Purpose and intent

The bill creates a pilot program to allow mobile voting for municipal elections within participating municipalities. The overarching goal is to assess the feasibility, security, accessibility, and logistics of mobile voting as a method to expand election access at the local level.

Key provisions and changes

  • Pilot program establishment

    • Creates a municipal election mobile voting pilot program to be conducted in eligible municipalities.
    • The program is intended as a trial to evaluate mobile voting technologies and processes before broader adoption.

  • Eligibility and selection

    • Sets criteria for municipalities to participate in the pilot. (Details such as selection process, duration, and number of participating municipalities would be specified in the bill text.)
    • May outline requirements for participating municipalities (e.g., readiness, cybersecurity measures, reporting obligations).

  • Voting method and technology

    • Allows or prescribes use of mobile voting platforms (e.g., smartphone apps, web-based interfaces) for municipal elections within the pilot.
    • Establishes standards for accessibility, usability, and eligibility verification in the mobile voting context.

  • Security, authentication, and integrity

    • Incorporates security requirements to protect vote confidentiality, ballot integrity, and resistance to tampering.
    • Defines authentication methods for voters using mobile devices.
    • Addresses chain-of-custody, auditing, and auditing procedures for pilot elections.

  • Eligibility and participation of voters

    • Specifies the scope of voters eligible to use mobile voting during the pilot (e.g., registered municipal voters, voters with certain accessibility needs).
    • May include provisions to ensure security while maintaining election accessibility.

  • Oversight and reporting

    • Requires periodic reporting on pilot outcomes, including participation rates, technical performance, incidents, and compliance with election laws.
    • Establishes responsibilities of election officials, the state election authority, or a designated oversight body.

  • Timeline and sunset provisions

    • Defines the duration of the pilot program (start date, end date), and conditions under which the program may be extended or terminated.
    • May include requirements for a final assessment report with findings and recommendations.

  • Funding and resources

    • Addresses funding sources for the pilot, including state allocations, grants, or reimbursements to participating municipalities.
    • Outlines allowable costs (technology, cybersecurity, training, outreach).

Who would be affected

  • Municipal election officials in participating jurisdictions would implement and manage the mobile voting pilot, including technology deployment, voter education, and incident response.
  • Voters in pilot municipalities who are eligible to vote in municipal elections would have the option (where allowed) to vote via mobile platforms, subject to authentication and security requirements.
  • State and local election authorities would oversee compliance, security, auditing, and reporting.
  • Vendors and service providers supplying mobile voting technology and related cybersecurity services may be engaged under the pilot.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill establishes a framework for launching a limited-time pilot rather than an immediate statewide rollout.
  • Timeline components likely include:
    • Selection and kickoff of pilot municipalities.
    • An operational period with defined start and end dates.
    • Interim/annual reporting requirements.
    • Final assessment and recommendations upon pilot completion.
  • Potential sunset or renewal provisions, contingent on findings from pilot evaluations.

Notes

  • This summary reflects the bill’s stated aim to test mobile voting in municipal elections within a structured pilot. Specifics such as the exact eligibility criteria, security standards, funding amounts, and reporting schedules would be detailed in the bill’s text and any accompanying sponsor or committee amendments.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on particular aspects (e.g., security provisions, funding details, or timeline milestones) once you provide the text or specific sections of S 4163.

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

Sign in to ask a question.