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Bill

MD

Bill

A 5181

Requires rotation of candidate names appearing on primary election ballots.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mitchelle Drulis and 1 co-sponsor

Requires rotating candidate names on New Jersey primary ballots to reduce ballot-order advantage, with rotation subtotals published and uniform statewide implementation guidelines.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
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Bill Summary · A 5181

Summary of Bill A 5181 – Rotation of Candidate Names on Primary Ballots

Overview

A 5181, introduced February 12, 2025, would require rotation of candidate names on New Jersey primary election ballots. The measure directs county clerks and municipal clerks to determine a rotational order for candidate names using a specified rotation system and algorithm, with the goal of ensuring no candidate is advantaged by ballot position and that each candidate appears in substantially equal positions (first to last) before an equal number of voters.

Purpose

  • Prevent ballot-order effects from affecting candidate outcomes.
  • Ensure fairness by rotating the order of candidate names so all positions on the ballot are represented more evenly across voters.

Key Provisions

  • a. The county or municipal clerk must determine the ballot position rotation for each race using a rotational order system and rotation algorithm set forth in the bill.
  • b. After selecting the rotation system, each candidate’s name must be rotated with all others so that each candidate appears in substantially equal numbers of first, second, third, … last positions before equalizing to voters.
  • c. Methods for rotation by election district:
    • (1) Establish an initial/base rotation using RS 19:23-24 drawing procedures.
    • (2) Determine the number of registered voters in each election district for races subject to rotation as of 65 days before the primary and rank districts by population.
    • (3) Calculate the number of rotations needed for each office.
    • (4) Assign election districts to rotations, prioritizing larger districts and balancing totals when districts exceed or fall short of the number of rotations.
  • d. For rotations implemented by presenting ballots to individual voters (mail, early voting, in-person on election day), clerks must follow uniform guidelines (developed per subsection f) covering:
    • (1) Ballot allocation of mail-in, provisional, emergency, and other ballots.
    • (2) Security standards for any electronic rotation algorithm.
  • e. Within five days after determining the rotation order, clerks must publish a public report showing rotation subtotals for all races and candidates, posted on official county and municipal election websites.
  • f. The Secretary of State, within 30 days of the act’s effective date, must develop uniform guidelines for implementing the rotation system and algorithm across all primary ballots, including paper and voting machine ballots.

Who Would Be Affected

  • County clerks and municipal clerks (primary actors responsible for implementing rotation).
  • Voters receiving primary ballots (via in-person, mail, or early voting).
  • Candidates in primary races (all offices subject to rotation).
  • County boards/officials of elections and superintendents of elections (alignment with reporting and guidelines).
  • Secretary of State (development of uniform guidelines).

Implementation and Timeline

  • Effective date: Immediately.
  • Rotation order determination: To occur after the rotation system is chosen; a report detailing rotation subtotals must be published within five days.
  • Guidelines development: Secretary of State must issue uniform guidelines within 30 days of the act’s effective date.
  • Ballot rotation method: Applies to primary elections in jurisdictions with both paper and voting machine ballots; distribution methods for rotated ballots must be specified in guidelines and procedures.

Legislative History and Sponsorship

  • Introduced in the Assembly on February 12, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to Assembly committees (State and Local Government; and listed with Agriculture committee referrals in the record).
  • Sponsors: Primary – Keith Brown; Cosponsors – John Lemondes, David McDonough.

Potential Impact

  • Aims to reduce advantage tied to ballot order and promote公平 ballot presentation.
  • May require new software, procedures, and training for clerks to implement rotation algorithms.
  • Increases transparency through public rotation-subtotals reporting.
  • Establishes statewide guidelines to ensure consistent implementation across counties and municipalities.

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

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