Codey Hails Assembly’s Approval Of New Presidential Primary Date

TRENTON – On Monday, December 4, the full Senate is scheduled to vote on a host of bills, including measures which would move up New Jersey’s presidential primary date to the first Tuesday in February, and allow adoptees access to their original birth certificates.

The voting session is scheduled to begin at 2 P.M. in the Senate Chambers.

The bill to change the primary date, S-2193, sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex, and Senator Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, would switch New Jersey’s presidential primary date from the last Tuesday in February to the first Tuesday, after the first Monday of that month. Supporters say the change, necessitated by a new federal primary calendar which would again move New Jersey towards the back of the pack, would allow Garden State voters to play an important part in national politics.

TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today released the following statement on the Assembly State Government Committee’s approval of bill A4010/S2193, which would move New Jersey’s presidential primary election up to the first Tuesday in February:

“I’d like to thank Speaker Roberts for sponsoring this bill and the committee for their overwhelming approval. It’s time we stopped being the Rodney Dangerfield of presidential primaries and sent a clear message to candidates: Welcome to New Jersey.

PRINCETON – Senator Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, issued the following statement today after the Governor signed her bill, sponsored with Senate President Richard J. Codey, to move New Jersey’s presidential primary to the first week of February:

“I would like to thank the Governor and both houses of the Legislature for moving quickly on this important issue of national relevance for the voters of New Jersey.

TRENTON – By a vote of 33 to 5, the full Senate today approved bill S-2193, sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex), which would move New Jersey’s presidential primary up to early February and give state voters the long-awaited opportunity to help determine the nation’s next presidential candidates.

“New Jersey voters come from diverse social, economic and ethnic backgrounds and, as such, we are a great barometer for the rest of the nation,” said Sen. Codey. “We deserve to be a part of the early primary activity – that limited window of opportunity that plays a crucial role in selecting the party candidates. Moving our primary up to early February will not only give New Jersey voters more bite at the ballot, but it will help ensure that our votes remain relevant in guiding the course of our country for the next four years.”

TRENTON – Senator Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, issued the following statement today on the expected Assembly approval of her bill, sponsored with Senate President Richard J. Codey, to move New Jersey’s presidential primary to the first week of February:

“For far too long, the voters of the Garden State have been inconsequential in presidential politics, voting long after the major party candidates had been decided by other states.

TRENTON – The Senate State Government Committee today approved bill S-2193, sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) and Senator Ellen Karcher (D-Monmouth, Mercer), which would move New Jersey’s presidential primary up to early February in light of the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) decision to add two new contests to the early window schedule for the 2008 election season.

“For too long, presidential candidates have come to New Jersey to seek our money but not our votes because it’s always been too late. With many critical decisions facing our nation right now, we deserve to have more of a voice in selecting the person who will guide our country through these tenuous times,” said Sen. Codey. “Moving our primary up to early February will not only give us more bite at the ballot, but it will also bring New Jersey back to the center of the national debate on our future.”

TRENTON – The Senate State Government Committee will convene this Monday to consider bill S-2193, sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey and Senator Ellen Karcher, that would move New Jersey’s presidential primary to the beginning of February.

“Too often during presidential primaries, candidates come here to seek our money and not our votes because it’s too late. New Jersey, with its diverse social, economic and ethnic background, should be a part of the early primary activity that plays a crucial role in determining who will become the next President of the United States,” said Senator Codey, D-Essex. “Moving our primary up to early February will give New Jersey voters more bite at the ballot and help ensure that our votes remain relevant in guiding the course of our country for the next four years.”

TRENTON – Senator Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, issued the following statement today after the Assembly State Government Committee unanimously approved her bill, sponsored with Senate President Richard J. Codey, to move New Jersey’s presidential primary to the first week of February:

“I applaud the Assembly’s action today to make New Jersey relevant in national politics. For too long, the residents of the Garden State have been disenfranchised by a late primary, making their votes meaningless in the political process, as the party nominees for president are often already decided before the voting booths even open in our home State.