§ 19:23-26 — 3 Data collection, ballot design changes; report, recommendations to Governor, Legislature.

8. a. The Division of Elections in the Department of State shall collect data from county and municipal clerks and county boards of elections on their experiences regarding the changes to ballot design and primary election procedures in this State implemented pursuant to P.L.2025, c.32 (C.19:23-23.1 et al.), and shall develop and submit a report as provided in this section. The report shall include data concerning the conduct of primary elections, best practices to improve the conduct of future primary elections, and any other relevant information, research, guidance, and expertise regarding the implementation of the new ballot designs and primary election procedures. b. In preparing the report required pursuant to this section, the division shall, at a minimum, collect data on the following: (1) experiences of election officials, candidates, and voters regarding the ballot changes, including whether such changes contributed to candidate or voter confusion or increased the difficulty for election officials to administer primary elections in this State; and (2) what the costs of implementation were. At the discretion of the division, the report may also provide the Governor and the Legislature with recommendations to improve overall election experiences and voter participation. c. The report shall be prepared and submitted to the Governor and Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), within 180 days after the date of the second primary election following the enactment of P.L.2025, c.32 (C.19:23-23.1 et al.). L.2025, c.32, s.8.