TRENTON – Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, Senate sponsor of A-100/S-2438, “The Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project,” made the following statement today after the bill did not gather 21 votes to pass the house:
“We can not delay on this critical reform effort any longer. The Democrats provided 17 votes today. I can’t believe that not one single Republican was willing for vote for clean elections. I call on my Republican colleagues to join me to pass this legislation.
“I understand Senator Lance’s wish that the 2007 Clean Elections program include primary elections. Unfortunately, New Jersey’s election calendar makes it impossible to include primaries this year. It is a change we can hope for in future elections.
“We must not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. If we do not act on this bill now, I fear it will be the end of clean elections in New Jersey.
“Clean elections are not a Democratic or Republican issue. We should pass this bill quickly with strong bipartisan support and show that both parties support efforts to make our elections more open and honest.”
