This bill amends current election law by eliminating the provisions that allowed mail-in ballots to be counted if they were received within 144 hours after polls closed, provided they were postmarked by election day, or if they were received within 48 hours after polls closed regardless of a postmark. As a result, any mail-in ballots received after the closing of the polls will no longer be counted.

Additionally, the bill increases the penalties for violations related to ballot messengers and bearers. Specifically, it establishes that individuals who knowingly serve as messengers or bearers for more than three qualified voters, or candidates who act as messengers or bearers in their own elections, will be guilty of a crime of the second degree. This is a significant increase from the previous classification of such violations as a crime of the third degree, which carries lesser penalties. The bill aims to enhance the integrity of the election process by tightening regulations surrounding mail-in voting and increasing accountability for those involved in the voting process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:63-22, 19:63-28