Permits police officers to be assigned to polling places located at public schools.
This bill amends New Jersey election law to allow district boards, election superintendents, or county clerks to request police officers be assigned specifically to polling places located at public schools. The request must be for maintaining order and providing security during elections. Police presence at other polling locations remains restricted under current law. The bill requires detailed public records of all such assignments, including location, reason, officer details, and duration. It does not change general restrictions on police at non-school polling sites or ballot drop boxes.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Jan 13, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
lower
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about A 542
Scope: NJ
Hi! I can help you understand A 542. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline