It may soon become easier to vote by mail in all elections in New Jersey. The state Senate today will consider a bill that requires voters to register only once for a mail-in ballot to receive them for each election.

Until 2005, New Jersey voters had to state a reason why they couldn’t vote at a traditional polling place. Explanations often included illness or frequent travel.

Presently, voters don’t have to provide an excuse to get a mail-in ballot but do have to request such a ballot for each election.

The bill was approved by the Assembly in June, and the Senate State Government Committee narrowly passed it Feb. 2.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine must sign the measure before it becomes law.

(Source: Asbury Park Press)