August 15, 2019-Voters who asked for mail-in ballots in last two elections must reapply, state says

In a move that creates even more confusion with New Jersey election law, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration has decided that voters who requested vote-by-mail ballots in 2017 and 2018 must reapply to receive mail-in ballots for the upcoming election.

That means Democratic candidates seeking to flip Republican Assembly seats won’t be able to ride the coattails of vote-by-mail programs conducted by the Murphy for Governor campaign in 2017, and by Democratic candidates in 2018.

A new law approved last year granted forever VBM status to any voter who previously requested mail-in ballots, unless they specifically opt out.

With the exact language of the legislation up for interpretation, the state has determined that the new law applies only to VBM requests made in 2016 and before. Read more