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A 2311

Establishes pilot program to provide for same-day voter registration on election day in certain years.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jessica Ramirez and 2 co-sponsors

Launches a limited same-day voter registration pilot in NJ (2021-2023) to test impact and fraud risk; if results are favorable, recommend statewide rollout.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
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Bill Summary · A 2311

Summary — A2311

Title: Establishes pilot program to provide for same-day voter registration on election day in certain years
Subject: Elections
Introduced: January 16, 2025
Current status (as provided): Passed both houses; delivered to Governor; signed into law (Chapter 510) November 21, 2025.
Primary sponsor: Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr.; many cosponsors. Companion: S1807.

Purpose / Intent

A2311 creates a limited pilot program to permit eligible New Jersey residents to register to vote on the day of the general election at designated locations. The pilot is intended to test whether same‑day registration increases voter registration and participation without creating significant risk of voter fraud, and to produce audit-quality reports to inform possible statewide adoption.

Key provisions

  • Pilot scope and timing

    • Requires the Secretary of State, working with county commissioners of registration, county clerks, and county boards of elections, to implement a same‑day registration pilot for the general elections in 2021, 2022, and 2023 (as written in the bill).
    • At least one same‑day registration location must be designated in each county in 2021; additional locations may be opened in 2022 and 2023 at local discretion.

  • Eligibility and process

    • Same‑day registrants must meet existing voter eligibility under R.S.19:31‑5 (U.S. citizen, 18 years old, resident of State and county at least 30 days before the election).
    • Registrants must complete the standard voter registration form (per C.19:31‑6.4).
    • After registering, the person is directed to their designated polling place and may cast a provisional ballot.

  • Reporting, audit, and recommendation

    • The Secretary of State and county election officials must produce interim reports (including an audit) for each pilot year: due by January 31, 2022; January 31, 2023; and January 31, 2024.
    • A final report (audit + findings) is due by March 1, 2024.
    • If the final report concludes the pilot increased registration/participation with low fraud risk, it must include recommendations for enacting same‑day registration statewide at all polling locations for the 2024 general election and thereafter (which would require further enabling legislation).

  • Effective period

    • The act takes effect immediately and expires March 1, 2024, or upon issuance of the final report, whichever is later.

Who is affected

  • Prospective voters who missed the standard pre‑election registration deadline — may be able to register and vote via provisional ballot at pilot sites.
  • County election administrators and the Secretary of State — responsible for implementing sites, processing registrations, conducting audits, and reporting.
  • Polling operations — will need to coordinate provisional ballot handling and direct newly registered voters to assigned polling places.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Potential benefits: increased voter registration and turnout among eligible but unregistered residents; real‑world data on logistics and fraud risk.
  • Administrative impacts: staffing, training, form processing, provisional ballot management, and auditing workload and costs for counties and the Secretary of State.
  • Legal/legislative next steps: adoption statewide would require additional enabling legislation if pilot results are favorable.

(For reference: bill cites R.S.19:31‑5 and C.19:31‑6.4 for eligibility and registration form requirements, and references submission requirements under C.52:14‑19.1.)

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

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