TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner (D – Mercer, Hunterdon) that would make it easier for people to participate in the democratic process has cleared the full Senate.
“Voting is the most basic right we have in a democracy and it is important that everyone who desires to register for participation in an election has the opportunity to exercise his or her voting rights,” said Turner. “It may not seem like a lot, but seven additional days is more than enough time to allow hundreds more people to register and vote. We should encourage participation in the electoral process, not set up roadblocks.”
Senator Turner’s bill, S1378, would allow an eligible voter to register to vote up to 14 days before an election. Currently, an individual is eligible to register up to 21 days before an election. The bill would not affect the constitutional requirement that a person must reside in a county for 30 days prior to an election in order to be eligible to vote in that election.
The bill now heads to the Assembly.
