Scharfenberger Bill Would Ensure Legislature’s Involvement Before Voting Changes Occur

Middletown, N.J. –Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth) has introduced legislation (A5401) which would prevent future attempts by this or any New Jersey Governor to unilaterally change how voters are able to invoke their constitutionally guaranteed right to vote. The bill comes as New Jersey continues to be under the seemingly autonomous control of one individual since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last March:

“One of the biggest takeaways from the recent majority mail election experiment is that a significant portion of the population wants to vote in-person – it is their right and ultimately should be their choice,” Scharfenberger stated. “It is imperative that New Jersey residents must be allowed to go to the polls to vote in-person this year and not remain subjects to the whims of one individual, while still maintaining the choice to vote by mail should they wish to do so.”

The bill was carefully written so as to not affect individuals whom choose to vote-by-mail, rather it would mandate Governors seek the approval of both the State Senate and Assembly before any alterations in voting methods be implemented. More so than anything is that it would go a long way to ensuring we return to an era where the branches of government are back on equal ground:

“The Legislature has been wrongfully cut-out from having any real say in these decisions – that cannot continue any longer,” said Scharfenberger. “These are not some arbitrary choices with little impact, we are dealing with constitutional rights and there are massive rippling effects. To continue down this path, disregarding the need to have an open dialogue with an entire branch of government, is wholly dangerous.”