Legislation
State: New Jersey
Signed: July 01, 2020
Effective: July 01, 2020
Chapter: 55
SummaryAssembly 4037 requires electronic signatures, including petition signatures and notarization, to be used for the remaining 2020 elections and all elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AffectsAdds an as yet uncodified section to the New Jersey Statutes Annotated.
Changes
- Requires an electronic process for the collection of petition signatures and their submission for all elections remaining in 2020 and thereafter for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- Applies to petitions required to be submitted by any candidate or delegate, and for recall, initiative, and referendum petitions.
- Provides that the petition electronic signature and submission requirements would apply to the verification of signatures, notarization of petitions, and submission of oaths to accompany petitions, as may be required by law.
- Requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Department of Law and Public Safety, to develop generic templates or forms for the online form to be used for the collection of signatures and submission of petitions. The petition’s respective filing officer would develop the electronic procedures for signature verification, petition notarization, and submission of oaths to meet the requirements of current law.
AnalysisAssembly 4037 is a temporary bill that requires electronic signatures for all elections remaining in 2020 and for those held during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new law applies to all aspects of the petition signature process, including notarization of signatures and administration of any oath that may be required by law.
Read Assembly 4037.