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Bill

Bill

S 3469

Requires new voting machines purchased or leased for use in elections in this State to produce voter-verifiable paper record of each vote cast.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Beach

New Jersey voting machines must produce voter-verifiable paper records for every cast vote to enable election audits and prevent undetected electronic manipulation.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3469

Legislative bill overview

S 3469 mandates that all new voting machines purchased or leased by New Jersey for elections must produce a voter-verifiable paper record (VVPR) for each vote cast. This requirement applies going forward to any voting equipment the state acquires, creating a paper trail that voters can physically inspect to confirm their votes were recorded correctly.

Why is this important

Voting machine paper records serve as a critical safeguard against undetected hacking, malfunction, or tampering with electronic voting systems. They enable post-election audits and recounts to verify that official tabulated results match actual voter intent, addressing growing election security concerns across the country.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Requiring paper-producing machines may increase upfront equipment costs for counties and municipalities, with unclear state funding mechanisms to cover these expenses
  • Compatibility with existing equipment: The bill may force counties with recently purchased machines to replace functional systems prematurely, creating waste and budget strains
  • Timeline and implementation: The bill doesn't specify a deadline for compliance, potentially creating ambiguity about when and how jurisdictions must transition to compliant equipment

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

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