Groups Sue New Jersey Over Rejection of Vote-by-Mail Ballots

Several organizations have filed a lawsuit in New Jersey seeking changes to the state’s vote-by-mail system before the July 7 primary. 

About 1 percent of all mail-in ballots are rejected because the signature doesn’t match the person’s voter registration, and that number could climb much higher with millions relying on vote by mail.

"Covid-19 has been exposing deep cracks in our society's foundation," said Ryan Haygood, director of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. "Those cracks are causing earthquakes in black and brown communities here in New Jersey and so this lawsuit is really about making sure those cracks don’t reach our democracy."

The lawsuit asks that every voter be informed if their ballot is rejected and be given a chance to prove their identity and have their vote counted. It was filed on behalf of the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, and an individual New Jersey voter.