TRENTON, N.J. — A proposed bill in New Jersey would expand the authority of local election boards to make initial determinations about the validity of ballots, particularly in cases involving ambiguous marks or other irregularities.
Under current law, the district boards of elections and county boards of elections are responsible for canvassing and counting ballots, with disputes or challenges often escalating to Superior Court judges or other officials for final decisions. The new legislation seeks to ensure that local boards have the discretion to make these initial determinations, streamlining the process and potentially reducing the burden on the courts.
The bill would allow election boards to evaluate whether any mark, sign, erasure, or other designation on a ballot was intended to identify or distinguish the voter and, if so, reject the ballot. Additionally, election boards would have the discretion to decide whether marks near a candidate’s name—regardless of whether they fall within the designated voting area—were intended to cast a vote for that candidate.
Judges and other officials, when reviewing disputed ballots, would retain the same discretionary authority as the local election boards under the proposed changes. Supporters of the bill argue it clarifies and reinforces the decision-making power of election officials at the local level while maintaining a pathway for judicial review when necessary.
The legislation comes amid ongoing efforts to address election integrity and improve efficiency in ballot processing. It now moves forward in the legislative process for further consideration.