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Bill

A 5242

Requires automatic voter registration process at local police force locations or Division of State Police providing firearms purchaser identification cards.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Auth and 3 co-sponsors

expands automatic voter registration to local police issuing FPID cards, enabling eligible individuals’ data to be registered unless they opt out.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
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Bill Summary · A 5242

Summary of Assembly Bill A 5242

Overview

A 5242 would expand New Jersey’s automatic voter registration (AVR) program to include local police departments and the Division of State Police (within the Department of Law and Public Safety) that issue firearms purchaser identification (FPID) cards. The bill mirrors the AVR framework already in place for the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC), requiring eligible individuals’ voter registration information to be automatically transmitted to the Secretary of State unless the individual opts out. The Secretary of State would designate qualifying police agencies and oversee implementation.

Purpose and intent

  • Increase registration opportunities by leveraging FPID card processes at police agencies to automatically register or update eligible voters.
  • Ensure consistency with existing AVR procedures and notices, while expanding the agency scope beyond the NJMVC.
  • Maintain individual choice by requiring an opt-out option for those whose information is collected.

Key provisions

  • Amended authority (P.L.2018, c.6) to allow additional state and local agencies that verify eligibility documents (age, citizenship, residence) to automatically transmit voter registration information to the SOS, subject to SOS approval.
  • Specifically empowers local police forces and the Division of State Police issuing FPID cards to establish, with SOS approval, an automatic voter registration (AVR) process for eligible individuals.
  • Each person from whom information is collected must be offered an opportunity to decline AVR.
  • Agencies implementing AVR must comply with the same requirements that apply to the NJMVC under P.L.1994, c.182, including required notices to individuals (as applicable).
  • The bill envisions a process parallel to the NJMVC AVR framework, including notice requirements and opt-out provisions.
  • Effective date: January 1 of the year following enactment, with the Secretary of State allowed to take anticipatory administrative actions to implement the act ahead of that date.

Affected entities

  • Local police forces that issue FPID cards.
  • Division of State Police (Department of Law and Public Safety) issuing FPID cards.
  • Secretary of State (overseeing and approving AVR implementation and ensuring compliance with law).
  • Individuals applying for FPID cards at participating police facilities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced in the Assembly on February 12, 2025.
  • Referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee (status indicates committee consideration).
  • The act would take effect on January 1 following enactment, with potential early actions by the SOS to prepare for implementation.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Anticipated outcome: broader AVR coverage, increasing voter registrations and updates at police facilities alongside the NJMVC.
  • Privacy and consent: maintains opt-out rights and requires notices consistent with existing AVR practices.
  • Implementation would require coordination between police agencies and the SOS, including data handling, privacy safeguards, and user notices.

Legislative context

  • Primary sponsor: Marianne Buttenschon.
  • Related/companion bills exist (e.g., A 5677, A 9056, A 10362) and prior-session references (A 1524, A 10362) indicate ongoing consideration of AVR expansion in the Legislature.
  • Status shows alignment with public safety and election administration objectives.

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

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