Aiming to encourage the use of new technologies to make voting in elections more efficient, Assembly Democrats Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Anthony Verrelli and Robert Karabinchak released the following statements on their bill (A-5159) to permit the use of electronic poll books, which are technology used by election officials to review voter registration information. The bill was approved Monday by the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.
Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer, Hunterdon): “With the overwhelming amount of cutting edge technology available nowadays, it’s mind-boggling to think that our voting process has remained antiquated. Electronic poll books will bring our system into the modern age, allowing poll workers to easily look up a voter’s information and expedite wait times at the polls. Not only will the process be more efficient, but it may encourage more people to turn out to vote.”
Assemblyman Verrelli (D-Mercer, Hunterdon): “Changes to our voting system are long overdue; e-poll books may be just the change we need. This technology has remarkable capabilities, from using photos to verify a voter’s identity to produce turnout numbers and a list of who voted. It’s time we bring our elections into the 21st century, starting with introducing e-poll books at polling locations across New Jersey.”
Assemblyman Karabinchak (D-Middlesex): “Electronic poll books are innovating modern day voting processes in states like Georgia and Maryland, along with 30 jurisdictions in 30 states nationwide. By joining this initiative, voters in New Jersey will undoubtedly have a more positive experience at the polls. Our right to vote is sacred in this country, and the process by which we vote should be simple and easily accessible to all.”