In January 2024, Senator Raj Mukherji and Assemblymembers Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Shavonda E. Sumter introduced S1193 / A925 to the New Jersey legislature to allow same-day voter registration. This legislation will continue the work of modernizing New Jersey’s election systems by allowing residents to register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day.

Urge your State Senators and Assemblymembers to support same day voter registration.

Background

Same day voter registration would greatly strengthen recent reforms made in New Jersey’s antiquated and burdensome voter registration processes. In the past few years, several laws have been passed to expand access to the ballot, including automatic voter registration, online voter registration, and enacting early voting. Each of these reforms are currently undercut by an unnecessary voter registration deadline, dampening our state’s efforts to ensure that every eligible citizen can participate in our democracy.

We have heard Reform Jews across the state tell their stories of how New Jersey’s failure to enact same day voter registration disenfranchised them. Enacting this legislation will benefit all New Jersey citizens.

People with less economic stability are more likely to change their primary residence, and many potential voters do not re-register at their new address. Younger voters, who tend to relocate more frequently than older, more settled voters, can particularly benefit from same day voter registration. This issue also intersects with racial justice. Research shows that same day registration increases both young voter turnout and Black and Latine voter turnout.  

In January 2024, Senator Raj Mukherji and Assemblymembers Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Shavonda E. Sumter introduced S1193 / A925 to the New Jersey legislature. This updated bill will allow any eligible voter not registered by the deadline to cast a provisional ballot at their polling place on Election Day (or at an early voting site during the early voting period) and, once their ballot affidavit is verified, have their ballot counted in the current election. Registering to vote via provisional ballot follows the same criteria as regular voter registration; the voter’s qualifications are just checked after the vote is cast, and no vote is counted until the voter’s eligibility is confirmed. This process is already in place in New Jersey; the only difference is that currently, the unregistered voter who votes a provisional ballot has their registration enacted for the next election but the ballot they cast in the current election is not counted.

Tell your state representatives to support same day registration and support S1193 and A925.

Jewish Values

Jewish tradition teaches us that the selection of leaders is not a privilege but a collective responsibility. Yitzchak taught that “a ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted” (Babylonian Talmud, B’rachot 55a). In keeping with the insight of this teaching, it is the duty of those who cherish democracy to ensure that all Americans are afforded the opportunity to vote and have their votes counted. The Reform Jewish Movement, long believing that the right to vote is fundamental to American democracy, strongly supports legislation that protects the rights of all citizens to exercise the right to vote.

For more information on this issue, visit the RAC-NJ page, or contact Lead Organizer Sarah Blaine or Legislative Assistant CJ Wechsler.

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