This bill establishes new regulations regarding changes to voter registration, specifically focusing on party affiliation. It prohibits the commissioner of registration from modifying or updating a voter's party affiliation after the statutory deadline for any primary election. Voters who submit a request to change their party affiliation after this deadline will have their requests held in abeyance until all votes in the primary election have been cast and counted. Additionally, the commissioner is required to notify voters within five business days if their change in party affiliation has not been processed, ensuring they remain affiliated with their previous party and are eligible to vote in the upcoming primary election.

Furthermore, the bill allows voters who are denied the right to vote in their preferred primary election due to an incorrect party affiliation on their registration file to cast a provisional ballot. They will also receive information on how to initiate a judicial review of their voting status. If it is determined that the voter was lawfully associated with their preferred political party before the deadline, their provisional ballot will be counted. The bill also amends existing law to require the commissioner to notify registrants of their registration status within seven business days of receiving their registration form.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:31-6.5