Atlantic County voters deserve elections secure and in the most capable hands, insist Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John Armato. Unfortunately, they note, “recent mistakes by the Atlantic County Clerk and his office have shaken voters’ confidence beyond repair.”

Mazzeo and Armato want Atlantic County Clerk Ed McGettigan to resign from his office immediately and allow a new Clerk to handle the upcoming special election.

“Atlantic County should not go through another election without a change in leadership,” said Mazzeo. “The issues in the recent Atlantic County Commissioners election were unfair to the candidates involved, taxpayers who will foot the bill for a new election, and every voter who cast a ballot in November. The only way to restore faith in the Clerk’s office is for Clerk McGettigan to step down and it cannot wait.”

“The Atlantic County Clerk’s Office has had issues in recent years, but the recent error in the Atlantic County District 3 Commissioner election was much more severe,” said Armato. “Ed McGettigan has had a long career in public service, and we thank him for it, but he must step aside for the good of the county. I’m hopeful that a new Clerk will be able to step in, steady the ship, and allow every Atlantic County voter to have the utmost confidence in the next election.”

Atlantic County Democratic Committee Chairman Mike Suleiman issued a statement:

“I am very disappointed that Vince and John would release a public statement rather than have a private conversation with Ed. Whether Ed runs for re-election is up to him, and whether he or someone else is our candidate for Clerk will be up to our nominating convention. As Chairman, party unity is of utmost importance to me. Disputes and conflicts should be handled directly, privately, and respectfully.”