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Bill

A 1195

Establishes "The Voter Convenience Act" to allow voters to vote at any polling place in their municipality on election day.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Karabinchak and 1 co-sponsor

Allows voters to vote at any polling place within their municipality on election day, with countywide options if adopted, enabling flexible check-in and ballots.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 1195

Summary of Bill A 1195 (New Jersey, 222nd Session)

Title: The Voter Convenience Act

Purpose
- Establishes “The Voter Convenience Act,” which allows voters to cast ballots at any polling place within their own municipality on election day, rather than only at their assigned polling location.
- Provides for uniform guidelines developed by the Secretary of State, in conjunction with county clerks and county boards of elections, to implement this process at the county level. The act also contemplates possible countywide polling places.

Key Provisions

1) Establishment and naming
- Section 1: Creates a new act to be known as “The Voter Convenience Act.”

2) Uniform guidelines and implementation (municipal-level voting flexibility)
- Section 2a: The Secretary of State, with county clerks and county boards of elections, must develop uniform guidelines enabling each county board to implement a process allowing voters to vote at any polling place within their municipality on election day.
- Polling place operations: District boards of elections at each polling place in a municipality shall be organized at the polling place so that any member of a district board can check in any voter walking into the polling place within the municipality, using electronic poll books (as authorized by existing law P.L.2019, c.80).
- Voting machines and ballots: Voters may cast their vote on any voting machine at the polling place, with ballots associated to the voter’s correct election district.
- Ballot identification: The process will include providing the correct ballot that identifies the voter’s election district.
- Voting authority: To the extent technology allows, the requirement to issue a voting authority (the “vote-by-mail” style authority referenced in existing law) may be replaced by a suitable alternative procedure.
- Section 2b: The guidelines may also be used to permit countywide polling places within each county, allowing county residents to vote at designated polling places within their county of residence on election day.

3) Administrative changes to district boards (to reflect the new process)
- Section 3 (amending R.S.19:6-1): When the new guidelines are implemented, the number and composition of district board members at polling places will be determined by the county board of elections in accordance with those uniform guidelines (i.e., the statutory default is superseded by the new flexible framework).

4) Ballot and sample ballot language (to reflect expanded polling place options)
- Section 4 (amending R.S.19:14-22): Official general election sample ballots must indicate:
- The correct polling place(s) where a voter may vote, consistent with the new guidelines.
- The hours the polls are open.
- The county’s early voting days, hours, and locations (printed on a color-differentiated sample ballot, with a conspicuous notice that it is a sample and not votable as-is).
- Section 5 (amending R.S.19:23-31): Official primary sample ballots must indicate:
- The polling places where a voter may vote (consistent with the new guidelines) after the district information.
- The days, hours, and places for early voting in the county.
- A prominent disclaimer that the primary sample ballot is an exact copy of the official primary ballot but cannot be voted.

5) Effective date
- Section 6: Immediate effect.

Significant Implications

  • Voter Experience: Voters would gain flexibility to vote at any polling place within their municipality (and potentially within their county, if countywide polling places are adopted under the guidelines).
  • Operational Impact: Election administration would shift toward cross-district polling place check-in and cross-machine voting within a municipality, leveraging electronic poll books and district boards operating at non-traditional configurations.
  • Ballot Design: Sample ballots for general and primary elections would need to reflect the new polling place options and include clear notices about early voting locations and operating hours.
  • Staffing: The amendment to district board member structure at polling places could require adjustments in staffing and appointment practices to align with the new process.

Assessment

  • The bill aims to improve voter convenience and access by reducing the constraint of voting at a single, assigned polling location.
  • It places the implementation authority with the Secretary of State and county election officials, via uniform guidelines, to ensure consistency across municipalities and counties.
  • The act preserves the use of electronic poll books and appropriate ballots while allowing a streamlined alternative to traditional voting authorities, contingent on technological feasibility.

Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.

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

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