SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2912

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 23, 2022

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2912.

     Under current law, the presence of police officers at polling places during the conduct of an election and at ballot drop box locations in use during the conduct of an election is limited.  This bill permits police officers to be present at a public school or a senior residential center being used as polling place.

     Under the bill, at the request of a public school or senior residential center, a commission, committee, board, or official having charge of the police department in any county or municipality may assign one or more police officers to a public school or senior residential center that is being used as a polling place during the conduct of an election.  The purpose of an officer’s presence at the public school or senior residential center would be to maintain order and to provide security at the location during the conduct of the election.  Interference by an officer of any person present at a public school or senior residential center for the purpose of voting is prohibited.