Stack Bill to Extend Early Voting for All Primary Elections

Union City, NJ – The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Brian Stack (D-Hudson) that would extend the early voting period for both presidential and nonpresidential primary elections. The bill, S-3990, aims to improve voter accessibility and reduce wait times as early in-person voting gains popularity.

If enacted, the legislation will standardize early voting for all primaries, beginning seven days before the primary election and lasting six days. This extends early voting for nonpresidential primaries from four to six days while adjusting the presidential primary early voting period from ten days to six.

“This legislation is a transformative and necessary move toward expanding voter access and modernizing our electoral system,” Stack stated. “We will continue working with election officials to address any operational concerns and ensure a seamless transition to an extended early voting period. This is not just a step forward; it is a decisive action to strengthen our democracy by making it easier for every eligible citizen to cast their ballot.”

Currently, early voting for general elections lasts nine days over two weekends, while primary elections have varied periods, often covering just one weekend. The proposed law seeks to standardize early voting while maintaining availability.

Stack’s advocacy for expanding early voting follows concerns he raised during the last election cycle. He criticized North Bergen’s lack of early voting sites, calling it “a complete disenfranchisement of voters.” In a letter to North Bergen residents, Stack noted that while much of Hudson County provided nine days of early voting, North Bergen voters had to travel outside their township to cast ballots.

“Without having any Early Voting option in your Township, North Bergen voters spoke loudly and still went to other areas of our 33rd District to vote,” Stack wrote. “There were over 4,000 North Bergen voters who voted early. That’s 12% of the 34,120 registered voters in North Bergen.”

In that letter, Stack pledged to push for early voting sites in North Bergen by June 2025, stating his intent to petition the Hudson County Board of Elections and the New Jersey Secretary of State.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved S-3990 in a 7-1 vote. The bill now moves forward for further consideration in the Senate.