Technology (Elections)

This bill creates a pilot program in New Jersey that allows some municipalities to let voters cast their ballots electronically during local elections. To participate, voters would use a secure system that lets them receive, mark, and return ballots online while maintaining strict data protection measures like encryption and identity verification. The state will hire a vendor to build this system, and local election officials will ensure there are backup plans in case the technology fails. The program is designed to run for eight years, with officials required to submit detailed reports on how well it works after each election.

This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to offer one-time virtual or remote instruction to students attending public schools that are designated as polling places for a special election on April 16, 2026. The measure permits districts to count the day of remote instruction toward the state's 180-day school attendance requirement, provided the virtual learning program follows existing approval standards and students have access to necessary technology. School superintendents will have the authority to implement this instruction after consulting with the board of education and notifying all stakeholders. The provision applies only to this specific election and does not require districts to combine in-person and remote instruction on that day.

This bill allows New Jersey registered voters to request receiving primary and school election sample ballots via email instead of postal mail. Voters must provide their physical address when requesting electronic delivery, and election officials must send paper copies if email delivery fails. The bill protects voter email addresses as confidential (not public records) and requires the Secretary of State to create procedures for implementation, including informing voters of the option and allowing them to switch back to paper mail. It directly affects voters eligible for primary or school elections who choose electronic delivery. The policy change takes effect immediately but excludes elections within 30 days of enactment.

This bill requires ballot scanning machines (used in counties that count hand-marked paper ballots) to include a privacy screen, shield, or curtain to protect voter secrecy when inserting ballots. It also mandates that all voting booths in polling places must have privacy screens, shields, or curtains, ensuring voters can prepare ballots privately without observation. These changes apply statewide to all counties using ballot scanning machines and update existing election laws to standardize privacy protections. The bill aims to maintain consistent ballot secrecy across New Jersey, regardless of voting system or location.

This bill requires New Jersey counties to replace electronic voting machines with paper ballot systems when updating equipment. It mandates specific standards for these systems, including voter-marked ballots, certified equipment, cast vote records, and compliance with federal guidelines. Counties must retain all paper ballots for two years and conduct risk-limiting audits for election results verification. The law directly affects all New Jersey counties implementing the new system, focusing on enhancing election security through verifiable paper trails and statistical audits. Funding for equipment costs is authorized, with counties permitted to sell decommissioned machines to recoup expenses.

This bill allows public schools designated as polling places on election days to offer virtual or remote instruction instead of in-person classes. It requires school boards to ensure all students have access to necessary technology (like computers or broadband) before implementing remote learning on those days. The virtual instruction day counts toward the state's required 180-day school year, and schools aren't required to provide hybrid (in-person + remote) options on election days. The provision only applies to schools actually serving as polling locations during elections, not to other schools.