New Jersey Assembly Bill A1013

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/13/26

Caption

Directs Secretary of State to establish grant program for counties to improve paper ballot counting process; appropriates $10 million.

Impact

The implementation of this bill could have a significant impact on state laws governing election procedures. By directing the Secretary of State to oversee a structured grant process, the bill aims to address and rectify procedural and technological shortcomings identified during past elections. Furthermore, the bill proposes an appropriation of $10 million from the State General Fund to facilitate these efforts, thereby providing counties with much-needed resources to enhance their voting processes.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1013 proposes the establishment of a temporary grant program aimed at enhancing the paper ballot counting process in New Jersey's elections. The bill mandates the Secretary of State to initiate this program, which will provide funding specifically to county boards of elections. The primary objective of this initiative is to improve the capabilities of these boards to count paper ballots, including those submitted by mail and provisional ballots, especially in light of challenges faced during the 2020 General Election.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding A1013 may arise regarding the distribution of grant funds and the criteria for evaluating applications from different counties. Critics might express concerns that the grant program could exacerbate disparities between counties with varying levels of resource availability and technical capabilities. Moreover, some may question the efficacy of the proposed measures in genuinely improving the voting process and ensuring that all voters' ballots are counted accurately and efficiently.