State of New Jersey secondary Archives: on Government Reform
Bonnie Watson Coleman:
End voter suppression tactics
Voting is one of the most fundamental rights of any democracy, and it is critical to preserve this freedom for all eligible voters. Coleman is steadfast in efforts to end voter suppression tactics used by the far right that keeps people
from the polls on Election Day.While it is important to make sure our elections are conducted with integrity, we cannot infringe on the rights of the electorate to a fair and accessible electoral process.
Source: 2014 New Jersey House campaign website BonnieForCongress.com
Oct 10, 2014
Bonnie Watson Coleman:
Limit PAC, party, and corporate campaign donations
Q: Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative and gubernatorial candidates: Individual?A: No.
Q: PAC?
A: Yes.
Q: Corporate?
A: Yes.
Q: Political Parties?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
A: Yes.
Source: New Jersey 2005-2006 Gubernatorial Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2005
Chris Christie:
Automatic voter registration is government-knows-best
Gov. Chris Christie's veto message on the "Democracy Act" reiterated his opposition to imposing "cumbersome, costly" requirements on the election system. "In New Jersey, we have early voting that are available to people. I don't want to expand it and
increase the opportunities for fraud. This bill does not reflect a genuine bipartisan effort to further improve the state's election system. Far from it, this bill is a manifest attempt to use election reform for political gain."
He called a provision establishing automatic voter registration that requires New Jerseyan to opt out a "government-knows-best, backwards approach that would inconvenience citizens and waste government resources for no justifiable reason." Automatic
voter registration would have added 1.6 million people to the state's voter rolls, and it would have done so in the simplest, most efficient way possible: by simply changing the state's existing "motor voter" law compliance from opt-in to opt-out.
Source: AmericaBlog.com on New Jersey veto voting record for A4613
Nov 9, 2015
Chris Christie:
Early voting risks the integrity of our elections
Excerpts from legislation: S 536 Requires availability of early voting. This bill establishes an in-person early voting procedure to allow voters to cast their votes starting on the 15th day before the general election. A voter who
participates in early voting would not be permitted to vote by mail-in ballot or in person on election day.Excerpts from veto message:New Jersey voters have been able to vote early in person in every election since 2009, via "Vote by
Mail." I support responsible and cost-efficient election reform that increases voter participation because democracy works best when the most people vote. But this bill risks the integrity and orderly administration of our elections by introducing a
new voting method and process, and would cost $25 million.
Legislative outcome: Bill S.536 passed Senate 21-15-3; House equivalent S.2364 passed House 46-31-3; vetoed by Gov. Christie; veto sustained.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 2364
May 9, 2013
Cory Booker:
Campaign PAC money shouldn't speak louder than people
Booker tried to distinguish the differences between Democrats and Republicans: "To me no side has a monopoly on good ideas, but when I look at this [2012 GOP] platform, in many ways it's gotten a lot more extreme than even past Republican platforms and
that's very disturbing to me. But more importantly I want to bring light to that and I want the nation to see, look at the actual policies that each of these parties stand for and decide which you want," Booker said. "Take campaign finance reform--
for crying out loud, I mean this is incredible. This platform says pull back even more of the rules on campaign finance reform, get rid of McCain-Feingold," Booker, a co-chair on the Democratic platform committee, said. "This platform says well, wait
a minute, we're out of control right now with all this super PAC money, we want to find a way to put more fair rules on campaign finance reform so that money doesn't speak louder than people. And so that to me is very dramatic."
Source: Politifact.com FactCheck on 2014 New Jersey Senate race
Sep 5, 2012
Cory Booker:
Founding principle: make laws open to public debate
I was deeply troubled by recent revelations of the scope of the National Security Agency's domestic data collection. We failed as a nation to thoroughly debate and create public oversight before this highly questionable data collection began.
It is time to bring this program to light and fix that error.It is a basic principle of our founding that laws be open to public debate and inspection.
We must update the rules that permitted this program to exist and ensure Congress, the courts, and the people have access and oversight. We need to vigorously guard our 4th Amendment privacy protections while still protecting Americans from terrorism.
There are serious questions about whether this program successfully does that, and we cannot ask these questions after the fact again.
Source: 2013-2014 New Jersey Senate campaign web CoryBooker.com
Nov 3, 2013
Cory Booker:
Threat to voting rights in America remains very real
As we've seen in the Texas redistricting plan that federal courts last year described as intentionally discriminatory, the threat to voting rights in America remains very real. The Voting Rights Act has been instrumental in the fight against
violations of one of our most precious constitutional rights, and Congress must now act decisively in the wake of the Supreme Court's damaging decision and put in place updated, robust protections that once again give teeth to this vital law.
Source: 2013-2014 New Jersey Senate campaign web CoryBooker.com
Nov 3, 2013
Hirsh Singh:
Corrupt vote-by-mail system destroyed election's integrity
Singh lost the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in his bid to take on U.S. Senator Cory Booker. Singh spent his time since the primary mounting pro se legal battles in search of a recount. Eventually the appellate court turned him down.
He filed a case with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the governor's vote-by-mail election process. "Forcing New Jersey to submit to a corrupt vote-by-mail system has destroyed our election's integrity and I will not let this stand," Singh said today.
Source: New Jersey Globe on 2021 New Jersey Gubernatorial race
Nov 9, 2019
Jack Ciattarelli:
No in-person early voting
Excerpts from legislation: S 536 Requires availability of early voting. This bill establishes an in-person early voting procedure to allow voters to cast their votes starting on the 15th day before the general election. A voter who
participates in early voting would not be permitted to vote by mail-in ballot or in person on election day.Excerpts from veto message:New Jersey voters have been able to vote early in person in every election since 2009, via "Vote by
Mail." I support responsible and cost-efficient election reform that increases voter participation because democracy works best when the most people vote. But this bill risks the integrity and orderly administration of our elections by introducing a
new voting method and process, and would cost $25 million.
Legislative outcome:Ciattarelli voted NAY; Bill S.536 passed Senate 21-15-3; House equivalent S.2364 passed House 46-31-3; vetoed by Gov. Christie; veto sustained.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 2364
Mar 21, 2013
Jack Ciattarelli:
Call for Constitutional Convention and referendums
I will call for a Constitutional Convention. Our 1947 state constitution doesn't address what's broken in New Jersey. And we can no longer afford to let the courts decide. We need a new constitution that addresses today's realities.
State school funding and affordable housing are two perfect examples. If I don't have the cooperation of the legislature, I will push for Initiative & Referendum (I&R). Let's empower citizens to make the changes we desperately need.
Source: 2020-21 New Jersey governor campaign website Jack4NJ.com
Apr 2, 2020
Jack Ciattarelli:
Require photo ID, purge voter rolls, allow early voting
Now is the Time for Serious Voting Reform & Voter IDJack Ciattarelli's Plan to Restore Faith in Our Election System- Requiring photo identification from all voters at the polls before they cast their vote.
- Modernizing our elections
by joining 14 others states in requiring paper ballots through the use of optical scan voting machines.
- Regularly removing inactive voters from the voter rolls.
- Allowing for early in-person voting on machines prior to Election Day.
Source: 2021 New Jersey Governor campaign website Jack4NJcom
Jan 8, 2021
Jack Ciattarelli:
Don't bring California's "insane regulations" to New Jersey
[On tax-and-spend policies]: "What does Murphy think he's playing at?" Singh asks New Jersey's voters. "Look at the abject poverty brought about by California's insane regulations, their out-of-control taxation on every little thing.
These policies crush the average American, and Phil Murphy wants to bring it to New Jersey? That is not okay."
Source: InsiderNJ.com on 2021 New Jersey Gubernatorial race
Jim McGreevey:
More government oversight and public advocacy
- Increase government accountability with a permanent State Commission of Investigation.
- Restore the Public Advocate to fight utility and insurance hikes.
- Establish tough oversight to take on government waste and mismanagement.
Source: Workprint for New Jersey
Jun 25, 2001
Jeff Bell:
Photo ID for voting
Question topic: People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Bell: Strongly Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 New Jersey Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
Joe Kyrillos:
No in-person early voting
Excerpts from legislation: S 536 Requires availability of early voting. This bill establishes an in-person early voting procedure to allow voters to cast their votes starting on the 15th day before the general election. A voter who
participates in early voting would not be permitted to vote by mail-in ballot or in person on election day.Excerpts from veto message:New Jersey voters have been able to vote early in person in every election since 2009, via "Vote by
Mail." I support responsible and cost-efficient election reform that increases voter participation because democracy works best when the most people vote. But this bill risks the integrity and orderly administration of our elections by introducing a
new voting method and process, and would cost $25 million.
Legislative outcome:Kyrillos voted NAY; Bill S.536 passed Senate 21-15-3; House equivalent S.2364 passed House 46-31-3; vetoed by Gov. Christie; veto sustained.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 536
Dec 1, 2014
John Wisniewski:
Establish in-person early voting in addition to Vote-by-Mail
Excerpts from legislation: S 536 Requires availability of early voting. This bill establishes an in-person early voting procedure to allow voters to cast their votes starting on the 15th day before the general election. A voter who
participates in early voting would not be permitted to vote by mail-in ballot or in person on election day.Excerpts from veto message:New Jersey voters have been able to vote early in person in every election since 2009, via "Vote by
Mail." I support responsible and cost-efficient election reform that increases voter participation because democracy works best when the most people vote. But this bill risks the integrity and orderly administration of our elections by introducing a
new voting method and process, and would cost $25 million.
Legislative outcome:Wisniewski voted YEA; Bill S.536 passed Senate 21-15-3; House equivalent S.2364 passed House 46-31-3; vetoed by Gov. Christie; veto sustained.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 2364
Mar 21, 2013
Josh Gottheimer:
Fight to defend the Voting Rights Act
We will only succeed as a nation if everyone is included and treated with respect and dignity. It's what built America and allowed our economy and culture to flourish.
I will fight to defend the hard-won victories enshrined in the Voting Rights Act.
Source: 2016 New Jersey House campaign website josh4congress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Murray Sabrin:
Photo ID for voting
Question topic: People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Sabrin: Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 New Jersey Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Phil Murphy:
I don't owe the political insiders anything
In the two-minute video [announcing his gubernatorial campaign], Murphy tried to set himself apart from the other hopefuls with his resume: "Here's what this campaign is not about: serving the political insiders," he said in the video. "Because
I don't owe the insiders anything. I worked hard, got lucky and was able to turn my full-time attention to giving back."Murphy, who grew up outside
Boston to a family he frequently says was "middle-class on a good day," made his fortune as an executive at Goldman Sachs in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The firm is unpopular among liberals and in New Jersey is associated with unpopular former Gov. Jon Corzine--a past CEO of the firm whose time there coincided with Murphy's. The Democratic hopeful has stressed other aspects of his career.
Source: Politico.com on 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial race
May 16, 2016
Phil Murphy:
Easier voter registration; online voting & early voting
Let's work together to allow residents to register to vote online and at the polls on Election Day. Let's enact true early, in-person voting for our residents. Let's allow 17-year-olds to register and vote in our June primaries if they will turn
18 by the November general election. Let's restore voting rights for individuals on probation or parole, so we can further their reentry into society by allowing them to exercise the most sacred right offered by our society--the right to vote.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to New Jersey legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Phil Murphy:
Undertake ethics reform; address pernicious sexism
It's been more than a decade since the executive and legislative branches undertook comprehensive ethics reform. And, nothing--I repeat, nothing--more exemplifies that need to change the longstanding culture than the pernicious sexism and
abuse that still creeps across these hallways, at conferences, and in meeting rooms. I am calling for us all to work together to tear down the existing system and replace it with one that treats everyone with equal dignity and respect.
Source: 2020 New Jersey State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Ray Lesniak:
Establish in-person early voting in addition to Vote-by-Mail
Excerpts from legislation: S 536 Requires availability of early voting. This bill establishes an in-person early voting procedure to allow voters to cast their votes starting on the 15th day before the general election. A voter who
participates in early voting would not be permitted to vote by mail-in ballot or in person on election day.Excerpts from veto message:New Jersey voters have been able to vote early in person in every election since 2009, via "Vote by
Mail." I support responsible and cost-efficient election reform that increases voter participation because democracy works best when the most people vote. But this bill risks the integrity and orderly administration of our elections by introducing a
new voting method and process, and would cost $25 million.
Legislative outcome:Lesniak voted YEA; Bill S.536 passed Senate 21-15-3; House equivalent S.2364 passed House 46-31-3; vetoed by Gov. Christie; veto sustained.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 536
Dec 1, 2014
Richard Codey:
Establish in-person early voting in addition to Vote-by-Mail
Excerpts from legislation: S 536 Requires availability of early voting. This bill establishes an in-person early voting procedure to allow voters to cast their votes starting on the 15th day before the general election. A voter who
participates in early voting would not be permitted to vote by mail-in ballot or in person on election day.Excerpts from veto message:New Jersey voters have been able to vote early in person in every election since 2009, via "Vote by
Mail." I support responsible and cost-efficient election reform that increases voter participation because democracy works best when the most people vote. But this bill risks the integrity and orderly administration of our elections by introducing a
new voting method and process, and would cost $25 million.
Legislative outcome:Codey voted YEA; Bill S.536 passed Senate 21-15-3; House equivalent S.2364 passed House 46-31-3; vetoed by Gov. Christie; veto sustained.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 536
Dec 1, 2014
Robert Menendez:
Citizens United rolled back decades of progress
Q: Require political ads to disclose their largest funders? Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited corporate political donations?Robert Hugin (R): No position on disclosure laws or Citizens United.
Robert Menendez (D): Yes. Cosponsored DISCLOSE Act requiring disclosure. Says Citizens United "rolled back decades of progress."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Jersey Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Robert Menendez:
Do everything to protect all Americans' right to vote
Q: Voting Rules: Prioritize preventing possible fraud, even if this limits access?Robert Hugin (R): No stand found.
Robert Menendez (D): No. "Must do everything in our power to protect all Americans' right to vote."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Jersey Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Thomas Kean Jr.:
No in-person early voting
Excerpts from legislation: S 536 Requires availability of early voting. This bill establishes an in-person early voting procedure to allow voters to cast their votes starting on the 15th day before the general election. A voter who
participates in early voting would not be permitted to vote by mail-in ballot or in person on election day.Excerpts from veto message:New Jersey voters have been able to vote early in person in every election since 2009, via "Vote by
Mail." I support responsible and cost-efficient election reform that increases voter participation because democracy works best when the most people vote. But this bill risks the integrity and orderly administration of our elections by introducing a
new voting method and process, and would cost $25 million.
Legislative outcome:Kean voted NAY; Bill S.536 passed Senate 21-15-3; House equivalent S.2364 passed House 46-31-3; vetoed by Gov. Christie; veto sustained.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 536
Dec 1, 2014
Cory Booker:
Average black voter waits in line 2X as long as white voter
Sen. Tim SCOTT (R-SC); The president talked about stopping what he called "Jim Crow 2.0," [to describe suppression of minority voting rights]. How many Americans understand what Jim Crow was? For a black person to vote, you had to pass a literacy test,
including the threat of being lynched, because those in power wanted to stop black folks from fully participating.Sen. Cory BOOKER (D-NJ): Thank God we are not in a time of Jim Crow. We're all not blind to what happened in terms of racial oppression
going back to the founding of this nation. It's hard not to read the Constitution and not see that many of the compromises were based upon an acquiescence to that original sin of this nation, slavery. We know the violence of what he talked about. In the
United States today, it is more difficult for the average African-American to vote than the average white American. That is not rhetoric. That is fact. We know that black voters on average are forced to wait in line twice as long as white voters.
Source: C-Span transcript on 2020 New Jersey Senate race
Jan 19, 2022
Doug Steinhardt:
Automatic voter registration would favor Democrats
Republicans, for their part, have argued Democrats are trying to bolster their own elections by expanding certain laws. Then-New Jersey GOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt said in
2018 that by installing automatic voter registration, Democrats were "looking to exploit what they see as favorable registration trends and using taxpayer-funded dollars and institutions to do it."
Source: Newark Star Ledger on 2021 New Jersey Gubernatorial race
Jul 14, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023