The bill amends New Jersey's election laws to allow voters to change their party affiliation at the polling place on primary election day, enabling participation in any political party's primary. Voters wishing to switch parties can complete a political party affiliation declaration form at the polling place. Additionally, mail-in voters are permitted to vote in a primary election for a party different from their registered affiliation, and upon submitting their ballot, they will be considered members of that party. The Secretary of State is responsible for preparing and distributing the necessary forms to facilitate these changes. The bill also clarifies that unaffiliated mail-in voters will not receive a primary election ballot unless they declare their party affiliation.

Moreover, the bill eliminates the previous requirement for voters to declare their party affiliation 50 days prior to the primary election, allowing for greater flexibility. It introduces specific procedures for mail-in ballots, including the issuance of "Cure Letters" for rejected ballots due to signature discrepancies, and ensures that voters are informed on how to correct these issues without needing hard-copy identification. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process while enhancing voter access and participation in primary elections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:23-45.1, 19:31-6.4, 19:31-13.2, 19:62-7, 19:63-8, 19:63-11, 19:63-17, 19:63-22