The Town Crier - Legislative Backgrounder

Due to COVID-19 Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 105 making changes to the upcoming primary nominating petitions process, special elections in March, April School Board Elections, and May non-partisan elections.  No decisions have been made regarding the June Primary Elections.

Primary Nominating Petition Changes

• The deadline of 4:00 p.m. March 30, 2020 remains unchanged for submission of primary petitions.
• Nominating petitions will be accepted by hand delivery or electronically.
• Signatures can be collected online using the online form to be created by the Secretary of State.
• Once the online form is available all signatures for petitions must be collected online.
• Hand signatures obtained prior to effective date of the Executive Order will also be accepted.
• The notarized oath or affirmation by affidavit by the person circulating the petition required by N.J.S.A. 19:23-11 is suspended.
• The candidate’s notarized oath of allegiance with the petition as required by N.J.S.A. 19:23-7 and 19:23-15 is suspended. Candidates who have not already signed a pledge of allegiance must attach a signed pledge of allegiance, containing the same language required in N.J.S.A. 41:1-1, to their petitions

March Special Election Changes

• The March 21, 2020 Old Bridge Fire District 1 Election is moved to Tuesday, May 12, 2020.
• The March 31, 2020 West Amwell special election is moved to Tuesday, May 12, 2020.
• The March 31, 2020 Atlantic City special election is moved to Tuesday, May 12, 2020.
• The above elections will be held concurrently with elections currently scheduled for that day.
• Any other election scheduled between March 12, 2020 and May 12, 2020 is moved to Tuesday, May 12, 2020.

April Election Changes

• All elections scheduled for April 21, 2020 are moved to Tuesday, May 12, 2020.

May Election Changes

• All elections scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2020, which include the May non-partisans elections and the rescheduled March and April elections will be conducted by vote by mail only.
• Vote by mail ballots will be automatically mailed to all registered voters without the need for an application.
• The requirement for a sample ballot (N.J.S.A. 19:14-25) will be suspended.
• There will be no polling locations on May 12, 2020.
• The prohibition of sending vote by mail ballots to inactive voters is suspended (N.J.S.A. 19:63-3(f)).
• All vote by mail ballots will include prepaid postage envelopes.
• All vote by mail ballots must be processed and canvassed in compliance with standards established by the Secretary of State and in accordance of guidelines provided by the Department of Health. Where necessary statutory deadlines established at N.J.S.A. 19:63-17 and 19:63-22 will be superseded.
• All vote by mail return envelopes can be counted early, prior to May 12, 2020.

We will continue to keep you posted on additional information provided by the Secretary of State’s office in compliance with Executive Order 105.

• Michael F. Cerra, Assistant Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org or 609-695-3481 x120
• Lori Buckelew, Senior Legislative Analyst, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
• Frank Marshall, Esq., League Staff Attorney, FMarshall@njlm.org or 609-695-3481 x.137.
• Jon Moran, Senior Legislative Analyst, jmoran@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x121.