This bill mandates that municipalities conducting regular municipal elections in May must offer early voting, thereby changing the current law which only permits such municipalities to conduct early voting. The early voting period for these elections is defined to start on the fourth calendar day before the election and end on the second calendar day before the election, unless the municipal governing body opts to extend this period to start on the eighth calendar day before the election. The bill also specifies that early voting must be conducted at designated public locations within the municipality, ensuring accessibility for all voters.

Additionally, the bill amends existing provisions regarding early voting for primary and general elections, allowing for early voting to occur for both types of elections as well as for the newly mandated municipal elections in May. It establishes guidelines for the number of early voting locations based on the registered voter population in each county and mandates that all early voting sites be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The bill is set to take effect on January 1 following its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:15A-1, 40:45-7