New Jersey § 19:31-21
Full text of New Jersey New Jersey Statutes § 19:31-21, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 19:31-21.
A person whose name appears in the signature copy register and who upon applying for
a ballot or voting authority shall have given the information and signed the signature
comparison record as provided in this Title and whose signature in the signature comparison
record shall have been compared by a member of the district board and in the presence
and view of the challengers with the signature of the applicant as recorded in the
register shall be eligible to receive a ballot or voting authority unless it be shown
to the satisfaction of a majority of the members of the district board that he is
not entitled to vote in the district or has otherwise become disqualified. No person shall be required to sign the signature comparison record as a means of
identification if he shall have been unable to write his name when he registered,
or if, having been able to write his name when registered, he subsequently shall have
lost his sight or lost the hand with which he was accustomed to write or shall by
reason of disease or accident be unable to write his name when he applies to vote,
but each such person shall establish his identity in the manner provided in this Title. In addition to signing the signature comparison record and after the comparison of
the signature with the signature in the register, a person offering to vote at the primary election for the general election, as the case may be, shall announce
his name and the party primary in which he wishes to vote. After a person has voted the member of the district board having charge of the signature
copy registers shall place the number of the person's ballot in the proper column
on the record of voting form of such person, which number shall constitute a record
that the person has voted. In the case of the primary election for the general election such member of the district board shall
also place in the proper column on the record of voting form the first three letters
of the name of the political party whose primary ballot such person has voted. In the event that the duplicate permanent registration form of any person cannot be
found in the signature copy register at the time he applies for a ballot or voting
authority, a member of the district board shall promptly ascertain from the commissioner
or a duly authorized clerk if such person is permanently registered. Upon information that such is the fact, such member of the district board shall
require the person applying for a ballot or voting authority to obtain an order from
the commissioner authorizing him to receive a ballot or voting authority. The commissioner shall specially authorize and deputize clerks to issue such orders
in municipalities within his county. The commissioner or his clerk shall require the voter to sign his name upon such
order for the purpose of signature comparison. The district board shall require the voter to again sign his name on said order,
in the presence of the board, and if the signatures compare, to permit him to vote. At primary elections the commissioner or his duly authorized clerk shall endorse
on the order the political party whose ballot such person voted at the last preceding
primary election. The order shall be returned to the commissioner at the same time and along with
the signature copy registers.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey § 19:31-21
What does New Jersey Statutes § 19:31-21 cover?
Section 19:31-21 is part of the New Jersey Statutes, the codified statutory law of New Jersey. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite New Jersey § 19:31-21?
A common citation format is "New Jersey Statutes § 19:31-21" (New Jersey). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of New Jersey law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Jersey official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.
How does New Jersey § 19:31-21 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Jersey can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Jersey.