A bill that would allow voters to vote in any polling place in their municipality on Election Day was approved by a legislative committee on Monday with bi-partisan support and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
The Voter Convenience Act accepts the realities of new technology: the old-fashioned, heavy, original voter registration books that once had to be transported to each polling location have been replaced by electronic poll books, aka tablets, linked to a central database, making it possible for voters to go the local polling place of their choice.
The bill would also establish countywide polling locations.
But under the terms of the bill, sponsored by State Sens. James Beach (D-Voorhees) and Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon), county election officials could opt not to participate, leaving voters in one county with more flexibility than those in another county.
The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee approved the bill in a 5-0 vote, with Republicans James Holzapfel (R-Toms River) and Vince Polistina (R-Little Egg Harbor) voting with Democrats John McKeon (D-West Orange), Shirley Turner (D-Lawrence), and Beach.
A companion bill in the Assembly, sponsored by Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-Lakewood) and others, is awaiting action by the State and Local Government Committee.