This bill amends New Jersey's identity theft laws to specifically prohibit unlawful impersonation related to elections, including the use of false depictions through technology such as deepfakes. It establishes that such impersonation, when aimed at influencing the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates or public questions, constitutes a crime of the third degree. If this impersonation occurs within 90 days of an election, the offense is escalated to a crime of the second degree. Additionally, the bill enhances penalties for disseminating false election advertisements that mislead voters about their origin, upgrading this offense from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the third degree.

The bill also clarifies the definition of "benefit" to include actions that further a candidate's election or defeat, and it outlines the penalties associated with various degrees of identity theft and election-related fraud. A second-degree crime can result in imprisonment for five to ten years and fines up to $150,000, while a third-degree crime carries a potential sentence of three to five years and fines up to $15,000. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen protections against election-related fraud and enhance the integrity of the electoral process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:34-68