Makes labeling of candidate ballot positions discretionary rather than mandatory.

A1288

ASSEMBLY, No. 1288

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman MICHAEL INGANAMORT

District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)

Assemblyman GERRY SCHARFENBERGER

District 13 (Monmouth)

SYNOPSIS

���� Makes labeling of candidate ballot positions
discretionary rather than mandatory.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative
Counsel.

��

An Act
concerning certain aspects of primary election ballot
design and amending P.L.2025, c.31.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� Section 2 of P.L.2025,
c.32 (C.19:23-23.2) is amended to read as follows:

����� 2.�
a.� All primary election ballots used in this State shall comply with the
following design standards:

����� (1)�
the oval or space for the voter to mark a vote shall be to the left or to the
right of the name of each candidate, and each candidate�s name shall appear
flush next to and aligned with the oval or space in a consistent manner which
does not create any visual distinction between candidate names;

����� (2)
all text shall be written in plain, simple language, to the extent possible,
and shall avoid overly technical language;

����� (3)�
candidates shall be arranged by office sought in an office block format, each
office block shall be separated on the ballot from other office blocks, and
candidates for the same office shall be listed within the same office block
without a page break appearing between their names, and as further provided
under R.S.19:23-25;

����� (4)�
all office blocks appearing on one ballot shall be designed according to the
same standards of design, consistent with the provisions of this section;
and

����� (5)
all spacing, ruling, and delineation of candidates shall be consistent and
uniform within each office block and across all office blocks included on each
ballot, so as not to create a separation or visual distinction between the
names of any candidates
[
; and
]

.

����� (6)

[
candidate ballot draw positions shall be labeled
using a letter and number, such as �1A�, corresponding to the office block and
line each candidate is placed on, and such label shall be placed next to a
candidate�s name.
]

(Deleted by amendment, P.L.��� , c.��� )
(pending before the Legislature as this bill)

����� b.�� No
primary election ballot used in this State shall be designed in a manner that
creates for a candidate on the ballot an incongruous separation from other
candidates seeking the same office, positions a candidate on the ballot among
candidates for a different office, or brackets candidates together on the
ballot so as to position a candidate based upon a drawing for ballot position
for a different candidate for a different office.

����� No
primary election ballot used in this State shall include any distinguishing
mark or notation, except as otherwise provided by law.

����� c.�� Each
county clerk shall:

����� (1)�
allow for the placement of a slogan or endorsement of not more than six words
next to or below the names of candidates, in the same font and color as the
name, but in a smaller font size, provided that the slogan or endorsement shall
not be in bold or italicized fonts, and provided that the slogan or endorsement
complies with R.S.19:23-17;

����� (2)�
allow candidates for the same office with multiple open seats to associate in
the same office block, using a common slogan or endorsement, next to or below
the associated candidate names, in compliance with the provisions of
R.S.19:23-18; and

����� (3)�
indicate the association of candidates for the same or different offices using
a common slogan or endorsement next to or below each of the candidates� names,
as provided by R.S.19:23-17.

����� d.�� In
addition to complying with the provisions of this section, each county clerk
may
:

�����
(1)

arrange and design the ballot in either landscape or portrait orientation
;
and

�����
(2)
label candidate ballot draw positions using a letter and number, such as �1A�,
corresponding to the office block and line each candidate is placed on, and
place such label next to a candidate�s name
.

���� e.���� The
Secretary of State, in consultation with all county clerks, shall promulgate
uniform guidelines for all county clerks to follow in order to comply with the
requirements of this section.

(cf: P.L.2025, c.32, s.2)

���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� Under current law, county
clerks are required to label each position on a primary election ballot with a
number and letter, such as �1A�, corresponding to the line of the ballot where
candidate names are placed.�

���� This bill would allow, rather
than require, each county clerk to determine whether or not they want to use
such labels on primary election ballots in their respective counties.