TRENTON, NJ – A newly introduced bill in the New Jersey Assembly aims to make in-person voting more accessible for residents who are blind or physically disabled by allowing them to move to the front of the line at polling places across the state.
Assembly Bill A5178, sponsored by Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (R–12th District), was introduced on January 14, 2025, and is now under committee review. The proposal seeks to ensure that voters with mobility or vision impairments can cast their ballots quickly and without physical hardship, offering an alternative for those who prefer not to vote by mail.
Under the measure, blind or physically disabled voters would have the legal right to advance to the front of any voter line at polling sites and receive priority assistance to cast their ballot “in an expedient manner.” The bill also directs the Secretary of State to develop rules and regulations necessary to implement the policy statewide under the Administrative Procedure Act.
Addressing accessibility at polling sites
The legislation stems from concerns that lengthy lines at polling stations can discourage or prevent some disabled voters from participating in person. “Not all physically disabled voters want to vote by mail,” the bill’s statement reads. “Many prefer to cast their vote in a community setting. However, the need to stand and wait in long lines can make doing so difficult.”
If enacted, the measure would take effect immediately and would require county election officials and poll workers to be trained on the new priority process before upcoming elections.
Key provisions of A5178:
- Allows blind or physically disabled voters to move to the front of polling lines statewide.
- Requires polling places to offer “expedient” ballot access for eligible individuals.
- Directs the Secretary of State to create rules for uniform enforcement and training.
Assemblyman Sauickie, who represents parts of Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties, said the goal is to strengthen accessibility without diminishing the shared, civic experience of voting in person. The proposal joins a broader set of legislative efforts to expand disability rights and voter inclusion across New Jersey’s election system.
