18-Bill Initiative Includes February Presidential Primary, Mail-in Ballot Casting,
Pre-Election Day Voting, Paper Ballot Backups for Electronic Voting Machines
(Got this press release from NJLatinoIssues listserv. 201, 973, 908, 732, 856, and scenic 609, everything we do to clean up our politics is a good fight. Contact your Senators and Ass(emblymen) at: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp)
(TRENTON) - Assembly Majority Speaker Albio Sires today announced an Assembly panel next will begin examining an 18-bill election reform plan that aims to increase voter participation, ensure the integrity of election results, and enhance New Jersey's role in presidential politics.
The reform initiative - dubbed "Every Voter Counts" - was unveiled at a State House press conference in October and would make New Jersey a national leader in promoting voter-friendly elections.
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Noting the increased level of voter participation in the November 2 presidential election, Sires said it was imperative to maximize public interest by beginning the committee process on the legislative package.
"Seventy-three percent of the state's voters went to the polls in the recent election and we should seize upon that level of involvement as soon as possible," said Sires (D-Hudson). "The legislative drafting phase is complete and now is time to move onto the committee-review process."
Sires said the Assembly State Government Committee will be assigned the responsibility of initiating an examination of the election reform bills "for discussion only" and will take testimony from sponsors and a variety of election experts and concerned parties. The panel will take up the package at its meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, December 6, in State House Annex Committee Room 12, West State Street, Trenton.
The leading advocate of the election reform package - Assembly Majority Leader Joseph J. Roberts Jr. - said the bills would make New Jersey a national leader in conducting elections and encouraging greater voter turnout.
"These proposals will promote access, accuracy and accountability in elections," said Roberts (D-Camden). "They will strengthen the voting process and lend further credibility to future election results."
"EVERY VOTER COUNTS"
Election Reform Package
- Election Consolidation
- Early Voting
- No-Fault Absentee Ballots
- Presidential Primary
- Extending Voter Registration Deadline
- Voting by Mail
- Creation of an Election Advisory Commission
- Polling-Place Accessibility
- Establishing a Voter Bill of Rights
- Political Affiliation
- Requiring Voting Machines to Produce Paper Record
- Recount/Recheck Reform
- Enhanced Voter Education
- Implementing HAVA Phase II
- Election Day and School Safety
- Requiring Disclosure of Provisional and Emergency Ballots
- Increasing Penalties for Tampering with Voting Machines or Votes
- Foster Civic Responsibility Among High School Students