This bill mandates that county boards of elections in New Jersey ensure bipartisan representation during the opening and canvassing of mail-in ballots, requiring representatives from each political party on the board to be present. It establishes a new requirement for county boards to begin opening mail-in ballots five days prior to the election, which was previously optional. To enhance security, the bill sets minimum standards for the storage of mail-in ballots, including the use of locks requiring keys from both political parties, video surveillance, and a log of individuals accessing the storage area.

Additionally, the bill introduces significant 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 includes elevating certain existing offenses, such as voting multiple times and altering submitted ballots, from a third-degree to a second-degree crime, which carries harsher penalties, including imprisonment for five to ten years and fines up to $150,000. The bill underscores the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of ballot contents and results until the polls close on election day.

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