This bill amends New Jersey election laws to allow police presence at ballot drop boxes and polling places, reversing a prohibition established by a previous law (P.L.2021, c.459). Police officers are now permitted to be within 100 feet of these locations while performing their official duties during elections. The legislation also clarifies that election boards can request police assistance to maintain order and peace at polling places and allows police officers to assist in transporting election materials.

Furthermore, the bill modifies regulations for police officers serving as members of district boards of elections or as challengers for political parties or candidates, stipulating that they cannot wear uniforms or carry weapons while performing these roles at polling places. Additionally, it eliminates the requirement for district boards of elections to notify the county board or superintendent of elections about police dispatches, as well as the obligations for the county board and superintendent to inform the Secretary of State and maintain records of police dispatches to polling places.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:6-15.1, 19:63-16.1