SENATE, No. 2912
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator RAJ MUKHERJI
District 32 (Hudson)
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators McKnight, Timberlake and Wimberly
SYNOPSIS
Requires instruction on voting in curriculum of students in grade 12 as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Education Committee on June 1, 2026, with amendments.
An Act concerning civics education in public high schools and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. 1[Each] The State Board of Education shall adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies pertaining to voting and ensure that instruction on voting is incorporated in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grade 12. The standards adopted by the State Board pursuant to this subsection shall occur concurrent with each update to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards required pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2007, c.260 (C.18A:7F-46).
b. Beginning with the first full school year following the date of enactment, each1 board of education of a school district 1[, as applicable,]1 shall incorporate instruction on voting in an appropriate place in the curriculum for students in grade 12 as part of the school district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies. The instruction shall provide students with information on:
(1) the importance of voting, including the role and responsibilities of citizens as voters;
(2) voter registration, including eligibility requirements, and information on the pre-registration and registration processes; and
(3) how to vote, including locating polling places or requesting an absentee ballot; and
1[b.] c.1 School districts may collaborate with election officials to develop the curriculum pursuant to subsection a. of this section. School districts may also collaborate with local boards of elections to assist in providing students with voter pre-registration or registration forms.
2. This act shall take effect immediately 1[and shall first be applicable in the first full school year following the date of enactment]1.