SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1886

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 3, 2022

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1886.

     This bill changes the dates of certain primary election deadlines.

     Under current law, the deadline for filing a certificate to fill a vacancy of a primary election candidate by the appointed vacancy committee is 55 days before the primary election.  Additionally, the deadline for the municipal clerk to certify to the county clerk the names of the candidates who filed a primary election nomination petition with the clerk and the transmittal of the Secretary of State certification of federal and State primary election candidates to the county clerks is 54 days before the primary election.  Finally, the deadline for the certification of nominees and the drawing of ballot positions is 53 days before the primary election.

     This bill would change the deadline for filing a certificate to fill a vacancy from 55 days to 56 days before the primary election.  This bill would also change the deadline for municipal clerks to certify names of candidates to the county clerks and the transmittal of the Secretary of State certification from 54 days to 55 days before the primary election.  This bill would also change the deadline for the certification of nominees and the drawing of ballot positions from 53 days to 54 days before the primary election.

     This bill is to allow sufficient time to prepare and distribute mail-in ballots by the 45-day ballot mailing deadline ahead of each election, by moving the drawing of  ballot positions by one day.  Additionally, by moving the drawing of ballot positions date, the bill eliminates the possibility of that date being on the Good Friday holiday, on which it occurs often.