This bill mandates that county boards of elections in New Jersey ensure bipartisan representation during the opening and canvassing of mail-in ballots, requiring the presence of representatives from each political party on the county board. It establishes a requirement for these boards to begin opening mail-in ballots five days prior to the election, enhancing the current law's provisions. Additionally, the bill introduces minimum security standards for the storage of mail-in ballots, which must include measures such as dual-key locks, video surveillance, and a log of individuals accessing the storage area.

Furthermore, the bill significantly upgrades penalties for election-related crimes, making it a second-degree crime to access the secure area where mail-in ballots are stored without the appropriate election officials present. This change reflects a commitment to election integrity, with penalties for a second-degree crime including imprisonment for five to ten years and fines up to $150,000. The bill also elevates certain existing election-related offenses from a third-degree to a second-degree crime, increasing penalties for actions such as voting multiple times and tampering with ballots, thereby reinforcing the security and transparency of the mail-in voting process in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:58-23, 19:63-17, 19:63-22