The bill amends New Jersey's voter identification laws, establishing stricter requirements for proving voter identity at polling places. Starting with elections after January 1, 2025, all voters must present valid identification that includes their name, photo, and expiration date, with exceptions for those who have religious objections to being photographed. The bill also allows voters who registered by mail after January 1, 2003, without providing identification at that time to vote by presenting specific documents, such as a valid photo ID or other government-issued documents confirming their identity. Additionally, it enhances the powers of election challengers, allowing them to examine identification documents and ask questions to verify a voter's eligibility, while ensuring that no voter is challenged based on race, color, or national origin.

Furthermore, the bill updates the voter registration process, requiring individuals registering by mail to provide either their New Jersey driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number, or submit identification documents. It introduces new requirements for provisional ballots, stipulating that voters must provide personal identification information or an executed affidavit if voting for the first time in their current county of residence or after January 1, 2025. Provisional ballots will only be counted if the necessary identification is provided by the close of business on the second day after the election. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of State prepare voter registration forms in both English and Spanish and ensures that all registration forms include necessary instructions and qualifications for voters, thereby enhancing the integrity and accessibility of the voting process in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:15-18.1, 19:15-18.2, 19:15-18.3, 19:31-3.3, 19:31-6.4, 19:31-31, 19:31A-8, 19:53C-1, 19:63-3, 19:63-6, 39:3-29.7