The "Protecting Mail-in Voters Act" amends The Vote By Mail Law in New Jersey to enhance the security and integrity of mail-in voting. Under the new requirements, voters must include a copy of a valid State-accepted photo identification that matches their name and current address within the outer envelope of their mail-in ballot. If this identification is not provided, the ballot will be rejected, and the voter will receive a "Cure Letter" from the county board of elections, allowing them to rectify the issue. The county board is responsible for verifying the identification against the voter's mail-in ballot request and the Statewide voter registration system.

Additionally, the bill introduces procedures for voters applying for mail-in ballots, including the option to apply electronically starting January 1, 2026. It mandates that voters who registered by mail after January 1, 2003, and did not provide identification at that time must include identification with their mail-in ballot. The act also emphasizes voter education, requiring the Secretary of State to conduct a campaign to inform voters about these new requirements and provide guidance on proper mail-in ballot submission. The act is set to take effect 180 days after enactment, with provisions for anticipatory actions by the Secretary of State to ensure smooth implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:63-3, 19:63-6, 19:63-12, 19:63-17, 19:63-17.2