NEW JERSEY – Senate President Nick Scutari, along with Senator James Beach, Chair of the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee, introduced legislation to reschedule the 2025 primary election date from June 3 to June 10 to accommodate a period of religious observance.
“Shifting the 2025 primary date by one week will avoid an overlap with the Jewish holiday of Shavout,” said Senator Scutari (D-Union/Somerset). “This will allow members of the Orthodox Jewish community to fully participate in the primary election, including the ability to cast in-person ballots on Election Day. We want to ensure that our democratic system of governance remains open and accessible to all voters.”
The current primary date coincides with Shavout, a Jewish holiday where those observing are not allowed to use electronic devices, write, drive, or travel. As a result, observant Jews would not be able to vote in person on Election Day.
“Religious observance should never be an obstacle to voter participation,” said Senator Beach (D-Camden/Burlington). “If the current primary date disenfranchises a portion of the electorate, we should do everything in our power to remedy it. Pushing the date back a week is a simple solution.”
The bill, S-3965, would require the Secretary of State to inform all county clerks, county boards of election, superintendents of elections, municipal clerks, and the public of the rescheduled primary election day no later than seven days following the effective date of the bill.
The bill was advanced in a 3-0 vote.
