Governor Signs Legislation Allowing Deployed Troops to Vote in State Races

TRENTON — Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Aug. 12 signed legislation to expand voting rights for military personnel and New Jersey citizens overseas to include state and local elections. Previously overseas voters, including military personnel, could only vote by overseas absentee ballot in federal elections. This new legislation corrects a fundamental flaw in the law and will now allow for greater participation in the electoral process
“The right to vote is the most fundamental element of any democracy,” Corzine stated in a release. “I could not be more proud to sign this legislation to ensure that those who have sacrificed so much to protect our rights have the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process.”
In addition to expanding voting rights, the bill also expands the methods of transmitting ballots used by overseas voters who wish to vote. Currently the law only allows for votes to be transmitted by fax, but this legislation will expand the law to include any other form of electronic communication, including e-mail. In order to ensure the integrity of the voting process, a paper copy of the ballot must also be submitted for verification purposes after the transmittal of the electronic ballot.
“In a society powered by technology, it is only logical to make proper use of all the tools at our disposal,” said Corzine. “In signing this legislation, we are giving realistic access to our democratic system to the people who have taken on the responsibility of defending it overseas.”
The legislation (A2204/S1460) was sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblypersons Joan M. Quigley, Jack Conners, Vincent Prieto, Gary S. Schaer and Caroline Casagrande and Jay Webber. It was sponsored in the Senate by Nicholas J. Sacco, and John H. Adler.
“The act of voting should not be a daunting or impossible task simply because a person is an ocean away from home,” said Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley (D-Hudson). “It’s past time that we streamlined the process to account for the near-global connectivity afforded us by the advent of the Internet and e-mail.” “Our election laws must be reflective of the times so that the act of voting, even for someone overseas or at war, is as simple as possible,” said Assemblyman Jack Conners (D-Camden), a former Army National Guardsman and Army Reservist.
“For too long, New Jersey’s election laws have lagged far behind the state of current technology,” said Sen. Sacco, D-Hudson and Bergen. “With the prevalence of e-mail and other forms of electronic transmission, State election regulators can easily and cheaply communicate with potential voters, wherever they are in the world. Thanks to this new law, we can increase participation in the democratic process in New Jersey, particularly for those in our military serving overseas.” “We must give our brave men and women from New Jersey that are serving in the Armed Forces overseas every opportunity to have a voice in their government,” said Sen. Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “By making it easier for State residents overseas to vote electronically, we can guarantee that our soldiers who have sacrificed so much for their country aren’t forced to sacrifice their right to vote.”