| Statement from the Leadership of the
New Jersey Legislature
(TRENTON) — We have listened to the public debate surrounding ballot design in New Jersey, read the letter from the Attorney General of March 17th, and have seen reports of the hearing in the United States District Court on Monday, March 18th. We have previously understood New Jersey’s ballot design law to be one that has withstood scrutiny from the New Jersey Supreme Court and has been in place for at least 80 years.
As many involved in the legal process have pointed out, there is longstanding precedent that the Legislature has the authority to determine the law regarding ballot design and the appropriate discretion used by county clerks. Accordingly, the proper authority to consider modifications is the Legislature.
As leaders, we have a demonstrated record of working in a bipartisan way on issues regarding voting rights and the transparency of counting ballots, and we are prepared to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure public trust in a transparent and democratic process in New Jersey.
We are committed to beginning a public process on ballot design in New Jersey, including a thorough and thoughtful review of other states, as well as a process that involves input from the public.
Senate President Nicholas Scutari
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin
Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio |
“We have previously understood New Jersey’s ballot design law to be one that has withstood scrutiny from the New Jersey Supreme Court and has been in place for at least 80 years.”
Aka plausible deniability. Now, about that attempted end run of OPRA?
After abolishment of the party line, which is clearly your intent, how will county committee members be utilized?
County Committee members would be plenty busy without a “line” system. They are supposed to help fundraise and find talent to run for office within their county, or portion of the county.
All this statement says though, is “we’re open to maybe starting a process”. It’s just a way to weigh in on Andy Kim’s lawsuit.
Once Kim’s anti-line lawsuit is dismissed, we’ll see what kind of effort actually takes place. I’m skeptical.
County committee people will have to get to work, turning out votes to elect representatives without the artificial aid of the line. Weak candidates beware.
New Jersey corruption–80 years in the making!!!! Now, all of a sudden the Democrats are taking notice after having control of the Legislature for 30-plus years, when someone sued them. The fault lies at the feet of the Democrat-Communist Party. When will New Jersey voters wake up and throw these miscreants out of office once and for all and don’t vote any more Democrats back in?!?!?!?!?!
As someone whose on a county committee, and not in leadership, we do essentially nothing. We go to the annual meeting, we go to the rare convention, and that’s it. So having the line thrown out would actually utilize us a lot more I personally believe. It would de-centralize the leadership that has formed around the few at the top, and leave it to most of us at the bottom to pick up the slack: help find viable and good candidates, help fundraise, and honestly rework how the County Party system works in a post-line New Jersey.
Thomas? Like the Republikanski party of Manafort, Trump et al and $28 million dollars of NRA money from Russia is what?
This is not a complicated issue. Simply design the ballots like the majority of the other 49 states. Office position ballot!!
Cmon Thomas I’m not waiting forever?
I don’t see the public out cry on changing the ballot. If it makes sense to change it… then change it. What I do see is 2 candidates that are afraid they won’t get their way so they want “ democratic change”. Make no mistake this is mayor FULOP and congressman Kim creating a narrative and teaming up to change the ballot for their own gain. They feel they can’t win if they are not on the “line”. Once again “OPPORTUNIST”….the question is… if they lose will this still be their stance??? I doubt it… FULOP will be on his way to get rich….and Kim will be a lobbyist !