Current law bars electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place. Party officials say an expanded ban is unnecessary. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)
County boards of elections can double the distance where electioneering is prohibited outside of polling booths and ballot boxes under a bill signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy this week.
The new law, approved by lawmakers in the final weeks before the Legislature’s summer recess, allows election officials to bar electioneering within 200 feet of the outside entrance of any polling place or ballot drop box while voters are casting ballots. Current law bars electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place.
Party officials said they don’t think an expanded ban is necessary.
“These days, in the days of social media, people can reach you inside the polling place on your phone. Unless they were being obtrusive, I don’t see any reason why it has to be even banned in the 100-feet area,” said Peg Schaffer, chair of the Somerset County Democratic Party and vice chair of the statewide party. “I think it’s potentially an invasion of free speech, and I’m hoping my county board doesn’t do it.”
Sean Earlen, the GOP chair in Burlington County, said he doesn’t know that expanding the no-electioneering zone changes anything in his county.
“I’m not aware or accustomed to significant issues with electioneering in Burlington County,” Earlen said.
The bill advanced largely along party lines. It passed the Assembly 54-22 and the Senate 30-8.
The law goes into effect immediately. New Jersey will see a big election in November, when Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, face off in the gubernatorial race.
Nikita Biryukov contributed.