Bill to ban elections on holidays passes

The Senate approved a measure last week that would permit elections to be rescheduled if they fall on a date that coincides with a period of religious observance.

The legislation was drafted in response to a special school election that was scheduled in Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Sea Bright and Oceanport during Rosh Hashanah, according to a press release from the office of Sen. Sean Kean and Assembly members David Rible and Mary Pat Angelini (D-11).

"This legislations will help to ensure equal access to all voters, some of whom would otherwise be restricted if a special election fell on a religious holiday," said Kean. "In addition, this bill would allow voters to celebrate their religion without missing an opportunity to participate in the voting process."

The legislation, S-3186, will provide for the adjustment of the date on which certain elections can occur if the date coincides with a religious holiday. Potential election dates are set by state statutes and therefore municipalities are unable to change them when they fall on religious holidays, according to the release.

"When elections are held on religious holidays, it restricts many people from their fundamental right to vote," Kean said. "We must give towns the ability to change the dates of their elections in order to accommodate all religious beliefs."

The measure was approved by a vote of 39-0. An identical Assembly version has been co-sponsored by Rible and Angelini, which authorizes the commissioner of education, in conjunction with the secretary of state, to change the allowable dates for a special school election if the date falls on a religious holiday and significantly limits the usual activities of the followers of that particular religion.