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 set for primary elections. Voters who submit a request to change their party affiliation after this deadline will have their requests held in abeyance until after the primary election. Additionally, the commissioner is required to notify voters within five business days of receiving a registration form indicating a change in party affiliation, informing them that their request has not been processed and that they remain affiliated with their previous party.

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 seek judicial review of their voting status. If it is determined that the voter was lawfully associated with their preferred 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