Signed by Governor Phil Murphy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that increases the number of signatures New Jersey office-seekers must receive by double.

Highlights:

• Increases the number of signatures New Jersey office-seekers must receive by double (Sec. 1-5).

• Increases the number of signatures needed to get onto the ballot for every elected office by 150% (Sec. 1-5).

• Requires partisan candidates for statewide office to get 2,500 registered voters from their party to sign nominating petitions rather than the 1,000 required under current law (Sec. 1-5).

• Specifies signature thresholds for partisan municipal offices would range from just 5 in municipalities with no more than 2,500 residents and 50 for towns or cities with populations of more than 50,000. For nonpartisan municipal races, the range would be 5 signatures for the smaller towns and 100 signatures for larger ones (Sec. 1-5).

• Specifies that candidates for county office would need to secure between 150 and 300 signatures, depending on turnout in the most recent primary (Sec. 1-5).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect and apply retroactively from January 1, 2025 (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that increases the number of signatures New Jersey office-seekers must receive by double.

Highlights:

• Increases the number of signatures New Jersey office-seekers must receive by double (Sec. 1-5).

• Increases the number of signatures needed to get onto the ballot for every elected office by 150% (Sec. 1-5).

• Requires partisan candidates for statewide office to get 2,500 registered voters from their party to sign nominating petitions rather than the 1,000 required under current law (Sec. 1-5).

• Specifies signature thresholds for partisan municipal offices would range from just 5 in municipalities with no more than 2,500 residents and 50 for towns or cities with populations of more than 50,000. For nonpartisan municipal races, the range would be 5 signatures for the smaller towns and 100 signatures for larger ones (Sec. 1-5).

• Specifies that candidates for county office would need to secure between 150 and 300 signatures, depending on turnout in the most recent primary (Sec. 1-5).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect and apply retroactively from January 1, 2025 (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text