Diegnan & Greenstein E-Polling Bill Signed into Law

Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senator Patrick J. Diegnan and Senator Linda Greenstein, which would permit a County Commissioner of Registration and Board of Elections to use electronic poll books, was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy today.

“As states explore new technologies to facilitate the voting process, the use of electronic poll books is becoming increasingly prevalent,” said Senator Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “Traditionally, voting jurisdictions have had paper poll books that contain a list of eligible voters in the district or precinct. E-poll books, which typically come in the form of a laptop or tablet, have the ability to do much more than look up eligible voters, and will assist in making voting much easier.”

“E-polling will bring our elections into the 21^st century and make voting easier for voters and poll workers,” said Senator Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “Voters will be able to sign in electronically while also allowing poll workers to easily redirect voters to correct polling locations. The system will be able to notify poll workers if a voter has already voted absentee or during the early voting period, giving them the most up to date information.”

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, electronic poll-books are electronic versions of the voter rolls that can be used to process voters at the polls instead of a paper-based list.

The law will permit a county commissioner of registration and county board of elections to adopt the use of electronic poll books. The law will require the Secretary of State to adopt and publish electronic poll books standards and regulations governing the certification and use of electronic poll books within 90 days.  If the Secretary of State receives a request for approval to review compliance of standards, regulations and all capabilities of electronic poll books, it will be reviewed within 10 days.