This bill amends New Jersey's election laws by significantly increasing the number of signatures required for candidates to qualify for various elections, including primary, general, nonpartisan municipal, and school elections. For statewide offices, the signature requirement will rise from 800 to 2,000, while candidates for other offices will need 250 signatures, up from 100. In primary elections, candidates for statewide offices will need 2,500 signatures (up from 1,000), congressional candidates will require 500 signatures (up from 200), and candidates for the Senate and General Assembly will need 250 signatures (up from 100). Additionally, candidates for countywide positions will need to collect either one percent of the total votes cast in the last primary election or at least 300 signatures, whichever is less. The bill also increases the signature threshold for nonpartisan local elections to five percent of registered voters or a population-based number, depending on the municipality or ward size, and raises the requirement for school elections from 10 to 25 signatures.

To support these changes, the bill mandates that the Secretary of State publish nominating petition forms by January 1 of each year when a primary election is scheduled, ensuring candidates have sufficient time to gather the required signatures. The intent behind these amendments is to reduce ballot clutter and the presence of frivolous candidates, thereby enhancing voter clarity and confidence in the electoral process. By aligning New Jersey's signature requirements with those of neighboring states, the bill aims to ensure that candidates demonstrate substantial community support before appearing on the ballot, ultimately fostering a more manageable and representative electoral process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:60-7, 40:45-8