ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 4475

(Second Reprint)

To the General Assembly:

Pursuant to Article V, Section I, Paragraph 14 of the New Jersey Constitution, I am returning Assembly Bill No. 4475 (Second Reprint) with my recommendations for reconsideration.

This bill would require county boards of election to establish mail-in drop boxes in each county at least 45 days prior to the election.  In addition, the bill would establish vote-by-mail procedures for the November 2020 General Election.  I applaud the sponsors of this legislation for seeking to quickly codify, and expand upon, Executive Order Nos. 177 and 179 in order to facilitate participation in the democratic process this November. 

My recommended revision corrects the effective date of section 1 of the bill, which is intended to dictate the requirements for mail-in ballot boxes beginning on February 1, 2021.  Section 2, which takes effect immediately, will govern the election procedures, including requirements for mail-in drop boxes, in November. 

Therefore, I herewith return Assembly Bill No. 4475 (Second Reprint) and recommend that it be amended as follows:

Page 11, Section 6, Line 22:       Delete “2020” and insert “2021”

Respectfully,

     [seal]                       /s/ Philip D. Murphy

                                  Governor

Attest:

/s/ Robert L. Garrenger

Senior Special Counsel to the Governor