An Election Reminder

 NJ Elections have Rules that must be followed

ELECTIONEERING

[N.J.S.A. 19:34-5 to 19:34-15]  Election Law

A. INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONDUCT OF ELECTION

1. No person shall, during an election, with intent to hinder or delay same, or to hinder or delay any voter in the preparation of his ballot, remove or destroy any of the ballots or pencils placed in the booths or compartments for the purpose of enabling the voter to prepare his ballot.

2. Any person willfully violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) and imprisonment until such fine and the costs of the conviction are paid.

B. OBSTRUCTION OR INTERFERING WITH POLLING PLACE OR VOTERS

1. No person shall tamper, deface or interfere with polling booth.

2. No person shall obstruct the entrance to any polling place.

3. No person shall obstruct or interfere with any voter.

4. o person shall loiter or do any electioneering within the polling place.

5. No person shall electioneer within one hundred feet (100') of any polling place.

6. This shall not be construed to prohibit a minor from entering a polling place on the day of an election to vote in a simulated election at that polling place as permitted by N.J.S.A. 19:34-6b.

C. ELECTIONEERING WITHIN OR ABOUT POLLING PLACE

1. No person shall distribute or display any circular or printed matter.

2. No person shall suggest or solicit any support for any candidate, party or public question WITHIN ONE HUNDRED FEET (100') OF THE OUTSIDE ENTRANCE TO ANY POLLING PLACE OR ROOM.

D. PERSONS ALLOWED IN POLLING PLACE:

1. Officers connected with the election.

2. Candidates;

3. Duly authorized challengers;

4. Voters as are present for the purpose of voting.

5. Persons connected with the operation of a simulated election for minors and minors present for the purpose of voting in a simulated election as permitted by N.J.S.A. 19:34-6b.

CHALLENGERS

[N.J.S.A. 19:7-3 to 19:7-6]  NJ Election Law

A. FILING OF APPOINTMENT OR APPLICATIONS

1. Filed with County Board of Elections.

2. Filed 2nd Tuesday preceding any election.

3. Must be a registered voter in the County.

4. Can only serve in district to which appointed (except At-Large Challengers).

B. PERMITS TO CHALLENGERS

1. Permit must be filed with the District Board.

2. Permit may only be used by person it was issued to.

3. Candidate may act as challenger. [N.J.S.A. 19:7-2]

C. TYPE OF CHALLENGERS

1. Authorized challengers for respective political parties.

2. Authorized challengers for candidate.

3. Proponents or opponents of a public question.

D. POWERS

1. Power to challenge the right to vote of any person.

2. May ask all necessary questions to determine the right to vote.

3. May be present while votes cast are being counted.

4. Power to challenge the counting.

E. BADGE

1. Every challenger shall wear a badge.

2. Badge is furnished by the County Board of Elections.

3. Badge indicates which party or candidate the challenger represents.

F. LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF CHALLENGERS

1. The Chairman of the County Committee, a Candidate for an office and proponents or opponents of a public question appearing on the ballot may appoint two (2) challengers to serve in each election district. The Chairman of the County Committee of each political party may also appoint additional challengers (At-large challengers) for any election equal in number to the municipalities in the county and such challengers may exercise their powers at the polling place of any election district in the county during the time an election occurs therein.

2. Not more than one (1) challenger may be present at any one time in the polling place for a Political Party, Candidate, Public Question.

3. More than one (1) challenger may be present only with the permission of the County Board of Elections, and upon request, a like number shall be permitted to be present on behalf of any opposing party candidate or public question.