Summary — S 2947 (reprint SSG 6/17/24 1R)
Status: Passed Senate (30–8) 3/24/2025; received in the Assembly and referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee. Reported out of Senate committee with amendments 6/17/2024. Companion: A4002. Would take effect immediately upon enactment.
Purpose
- To prohibit payment or other compensation tied to the delivery or return of mail‑in ballots (commonly called “messengers” and “bearers”), while expressly permitting limited, non‑wage assistance by specified facility employees and volunteers and allowing reimbursement for transportation costs.
Key provisions
- Prohibits acceptance or provision of any monetary or non‑monetary compensation to a person serving as an authorized mail‑in ballot messenger or bearer. It also prohibits offering or providing such compensation to induce service as a messenger or bearer.
- Defines “non‑monetary compensation” to include, but not be limited to, goods, services, or intangible property.
- Permits reimbursement of transportation costs associated with transporting a ballot (i.e., mileage/fare) to an authorized messenger or bearer.
- Preserves existing messenger/bearer eligibility and limits in P.L.2009, c.79 (C.19:63‑4): authorized messenger must be a family member or a registered voter in the same county; identification and signature authentication requirements remain; a person may serve as messenger/bearer for no more than three voters in an election (up to five if they are immediate family members living in the same household); candidates in the same election may not serve as messengers/bearers.
- Allows employees or volunteers of the following entities to serve as authorized messengers or bearers provided they do not receive compensation beyond their typical employment/volunteer pay (except transportation reimbursements):
- Organizations exempt under 26 U.S.C. §501(c)(3)
- Acute care general hospitals licensed under P.L.1971, c.136
- Nursing homes, assisted living residences, comprehensive personal care homes, residential health care facilities, or dementia care homes licensed under P.L.1971, c.136
- Veterans’ memorial homes supervised by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Who would be affected
- Voters who receive or return mail‑in ballots via authorized messengers or bearers, especially voters in healthcare, long‑term care, veteran facilities, or who rely on third parties.
- Individuals or organizations that currently provide paid ballot collection services: paid compensation for collecting or delivering ballots would be prohibited.
- Employees and volunteers of the enumerated facilities and 501(c)(3) organizations could serve as messengers/bearers so long as no extra compensation beyond usual pay is provided (transportation reimbursement allowed).
Procedural/timeline notes
- Reported out of the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee with amendments (6/17/2024).
- Passed the Senate 3/24/2025 (30–8).
- Received in the Assembly and referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee (current stage).
- Becomes effective immediately upon enactment.
Sponsors (as listed): Maggie Hassan (primary), with cosponsors Jacky Rosen; Mark Kelly; Rick Scott; James Lankford; Ron Johnson; Bernie Moreno; Ted Cruz; Elissa Slotkin; Gary Peters.
