TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Raymond Lesniak, which would permit ballots to be counted if they are postmarked before election day, but arrive within seven days after the election, was unanimously approved today by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee.
“When the Vote by Mail law was enacted, it provided voting access to those who might otherwise find it difficult to get to the polls on election day,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “What the law was unable to account for, however, is the time it sometimes takes for mail to reach its destination. This bill would expand the Vote by Mail law to ensure that voters who mail their ballot on time have their voices heard on election day.”
Senator Lesniak’s bill, S-1916, would ensure that voters whose mail-in ballots arrive within seven days of the election deadline are not disenfranchised.
Current law provides that mail-in ballots for primary, general, special school, or non-partisan elections must be counted if they are received by the time the polls close for the day. Vote by Mail ballots that have been postmarked before election day, but are received after the polls close are not permitted to be counted.
This measure now heads to the full Senate for approval. #