ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS NEWS RELEASE

Wagner, Eustace, DeAngelo & Ramos Bill to Allow for Emailed Sample Ballots Advanced by Senate Panel

(TRENTON) – A cost-saving measure Assembly Democrats Connie Wagner, Timothy Eustace, Wayne DeAngelo and Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. sponsored that would allow sample election ballots to be emailed to registered voters was advanced Thursday by a Senate committee.

 “In 2012, this is a cost-saving measure that is long overdue,” said Wagner (D-Bergen/Passaic). “With the proliferation of e-mail, there is no reason to be wasting paper, postage and time in general on mailing hard-copy ballots to every registered voter.”

Under the bill (A-2929), a district board of election or the commissioner of registration may provide a copy of the primary election and school election sample ballots by email to any registered voter eligible to participate in that election and who requests to receive the sample ballot by email. 

“This is a simple way to save tax dollars at the local level,” said Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic).  “If a voter still wishes to receive a printed copy in the mail that will remain their right, but I expect many more voters will choose the more conserving and efficient method of e-mailed ballots.”

“Many people today rely heavily on email to communicate and receive information,” said DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “This bill gives voters the option to receive their sample election ballots via email, which saves time and money. It’s efficient, smart and reduces waste.”

“Anyone who has spent time sifting through mail knows it can be a time consuming and irritating process” said Ramos (D-Hudson) “That is why many opt to manage bank and credit cards accounts online, rather than get paper statements. This bill essentially gives voters the same option.”

Under current law, sample ballots must be printed and mailed to each eligible registered voter. 

The bill directs the Secretary of State, in collaboration with statewide election officials, to develop standard procedures to carry out the bill.

The measure was approved by the Senate State Government, Wagering, and Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee, and now awaits further consideration by the full Senate.