The Election Integrity and Voter Protection Act seeks to bolster the security and integrity of elections in New Jersey by imposing restrictions on the presence of active duty military personnel and certain law enforcement officers near polling places and ballot drop boxes. The bill clarifies that election boards cannot request assistance from law enforcement or military personnel to maintain order at polling places, except in specific emergencies. It establishes a prohibition against law enforcement officers and members of the Armed Forces standing within 100 feet of polling places during elections, with exceptions for responding to disturbances or assisting voters. Additionally, the Attorney General is granted the authority to seek injunctive relief in cases of violations.

The legislation also outlines new requirements for ballot drop boxes, mandating that they be placed in secure locations, monitored by security cameras, and accessible to voters 24/7. It prohibits the placement of ballot drop boxes within 100 feet of police stations or federal law enforcement agencies unless approved by county commissioners. Furthermore, the Secretary of State is tasked with establishing guidelines for the secure implementation of mail-in ballot drop boxes, considering factors such as population density and accessibility for individuals with disabilities. To ensure transparency, county clerks are required to provide information about ballot drop box locations to voters and publish this information online at least 45 days prior to elections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:6-15.1, 19:63-16.1