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A 4863

Establishes public awareness campaign concerning federal rules for US Postal Service postmark and its effect on mail-in ballots; directs Secretary of State to evaluate adequacy of mail-in ballot drop box placement and usage; appropriates $100,000.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a public awareness campaign on USPS postmark rules for mail-in ballots and requires evaluating drop box placement, funded with $100,000.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4863

Bill Summary: New Jersey Assembly Bill A-4863 (Session 222)

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Bill Number: A-4863
  • Session: 222
  • Title / Purpose: Establishes a public awareness campaign concerning federal rules for the U.S. Postal Service postmark and its effect on mail-in ballots; directs the Secretary of State to evaluate the adequacy of mail-in ballot drop box placement and usage; appropriates $100,000.

Core Objectives

  1. Public Awareness Campaign: Create and disseminate information about how federal USPS postmark rules affect mail-in ballots in New Jersey elections. The goal is to improve voter understanding of postmark timing and its implications for ballot validity.

  2. Evaluation of Ballot Drop Box Network: Task the Secretary of State with assessing whether the current placement and usage of mail-in ballot drop boxes are adequate to meet voters’ needs. This includes examining accessibility, availability, and utilization of drop boxes.

  3. Funding Allocation: Provide an appropriation of $100,000 to support the campaign and related evaluation activities.

Key Provisions and Provisions Details

  • Public Awareness Campaign

    • Develop and implement educational materials explaining federal postmark requirements for mail-in ballots.
    • Inform voters about how postmark timing can affect ballot acceptance and deadlines.
    • Potential channels may include state websites, official notices, mailers, and community outreach (specific delivery methods to be determined by rulemaking or implementation plan).

  • Evaluation by Secretary of State

    • Directive to assess the current mail-in ballot drop box network, focusing on:
    • Geographic distribution of drop boxes
    • Access and convenience for voters (hours, locations, security)
    • Usage metrics and capacity
    • Recommendations to improve placement and availability as needed

  • Funding

    • An explicit appropriation of $100,000 to support the public awareness campaign and the drop box evaluation activities.
    • The bill may specify budget usage guidelines (e.g., implementation timeline, reporting requirements) though such details are not listed in the summary; the exact administration and expenditure plan would be defined in accompanying fiscal notes or implementing regulations.

Who is Affected

  • Voters: Benefit from improved information about postmark rules and ballot submission procedures, potentially reducing ballot disqualification due to mis-timed postmarks.
  • Secretary of State and Election Officials: Responsible for executing the awareness campaign and conducting the drop box adequacy evaluation.
  • General Public: Indirectly affected through enhanced transparency and accessibility of mail-in voting options.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduced: May 4, 2026
  • Committee Referral: Assembly State and Local Government Committee
  • Next Steps: If advanced, the bill would move through committee discussions, potential amendments, and floor votes in the Assembly. Final passage would proceed to the Senate, with possible further actions before a gubernatorial signature or veto.

Practical Implications

  • The bill emphasizes voter education on federal postmark rules, which can influence when ballots are considered timely.
  • The assessment of drop box placement aims to reduce barriers to mail-in voting and ensure drop boxes are accessible where voters need them.
  • The $100,000 appropriation frames a modest funding level for targeted outreach and evaluation activities rather than a broad, ongoing program.

If you’d like, I can add a side-by-side comparison with existing laws or provide a timeline projection based on typical legislative workflows for similar measures.

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

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