The bill amends New Jersey's voter registration laws to streamline the process, particularly for individuals applying for a motor vehicle driver's license or identification card through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). It allows eligible applicants to automatically register to vote by providing documentation of U.S. citizenship, with their information electronically transmitted to the Secretary of State, while also giving them the option to opt out of this automatic registration. The bill emphasizes the importance of timely updates to voter registration records, particularly for individuals changing their residence or name, and ensures that those released from incarceration are provided with voter registration opportunities.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect individuals from criminal liability if they are mistakenly registered under the new process, provided they did not knowingly provide false information. It mandates coordination between the MVC, the Department of Corrections, and the Secretary of State to facilitate voter registration for eligible individuals. The Secretary of State is also tasked with educating the public about these changes and developing a method to check voter registration status against the statewide system. The new regulations are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:31-6.5, 19:31-6.14, 39:2-3.2, 39:3-10