SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3617

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 16, 2024

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 3617.

      As amended by the committee, this bill directs the county clerk in each county to send an application for a mail-in ballot to each 17-year-old registered voter upon their 18th birthday. The bill requires the State to reimburse each county for any additional direct expenditures incurred upon mailing the mail-in ballot application.  The reimbursement will not exceed the cost of mailing a standard two ounce piece of first-class mail per mail-in ballot application.

     Under current law, a person who is at least 17 years of age and will be 18 on the date of the next general election is entitled to register to vote, provided they meet all other voter registration requirements.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to limit the reimbursement for mailing costs for each county to not more than the cost of mailing a standard two ounce piece of first-class mail per mail-in ballot application.