This bill amends the process for filling vacancies in the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey, establishing a more expedited timeline for the Governor to issue a writ of election. Specifically, the bill requires the Governor to issue the writ within 10 days of the vacancy occurring, unless the unexpired term is less than 135 days. It also allows for a special election date to be designated rather than requiring the election to coincide with the next general election. The bill outlines two scenarios for filling the vacancy: if the unexpired term is 180 days or more, a special primary election will be held, while if the term is less than 180 days but at least 135 days, a special election will occur without a primary.

Additionally, the bill updates various statutory provisions to reflect current practices, such as changing the publication requirements for election notices from weekly to a single notice at least 45 days prior to the election. It also clarifies the timeline for drawing candidate positions on the ballot for special elections, ensuring that the public is notified to witness the drawing. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the election process for filling vacancies in the House of Representatives, ensuring that seats are filled in a timely manner while also modernizing certain procedural aspects.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:27-10.1