This bill amends current law regarding the requirements for circulators of recall petitions in New Jersey. It mandates that each circulator must take an oath by affidavit before an officer qualified to administer oaths, ensuring that the circulator is accountable for the authenticity of the signatures collected. The new legal language specifies that each completed page of a recall petition must include an oath that details the circulator's name, address, and a statement affirming their responsibility for the section, as well as the validity of the signatures. Additionally, the circulator must provide the dates during which the signatures were collected and the printed name and signature of the officer who administered the oath.

The bill aims to enhance the integrity of the recall petition process by requiring this additional step to prevent fraud. Previously, while circulators had to sign an affidavit attesting to the good faith circulation of the petition, they were not required to do so in the presence of a qualified officer. This change aligns the requirements for recall petitions with those for nominating petitions for candidates, thereby strengthening the overall electoral process in New Jersey. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:27A-9