Whelan: Early Voting Veto Takes NJ In Wrong Direction

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Nia H. Gill and Jim Whelan to establish early voting in New Jersey was approved today by a Senate committee. The Legislation would permit voters to cast ballots in person at designated polling locations as early as 15 days prior to an election.

“The cornerstone of our democracy is the ability to vote, so making the process accessible, effective and efficient must be our priority,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex/Passaic). “Early voting will expand voter access and ensure that even in an emergency, such as a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy, or in the case of an unforeseen personal scheduling conflict, residents will still be able to get to the polls and exercise their fundamental right to vote.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill and Jim Whelan to establish early voting in New Jersey received final approval today in the state Assembly. The Legislation, which would permit voters to cast ballots in person at designated polling locations as early as 15 days prior to an election, now heads to the desk of Governor Chris Christie.

“There are few rights more important than a citizen’s ability to vote, and so creating a secure and reliable system that ensures that our residents have access to the polls must be a priority,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex/Passaic). “Early voting would improve the current process that limits the window for voters to cast their ballots at traditional polling places to a single day and it would expand opportunities for people to participate in the process and exercise their most fundamental constitutional right.”

“Hurricane Sandy exposed a real need to update our voting laws. In many towns and cities, polling places were relocated and residents were left to navigate a confusing system that allowed voting by email and fax,” said Whelan (D-Atlantic). “It is critical that we create a more predictable process for the electorate. Early voting will do that by allowing in-person voting at the polls up to two weeks before Election Day, including on weekends.”

TRENTON – Senator Nia H. Gill today introduced legislation to establish early voting in New Jersey. The Legislation would permit voters to cast ballots in person at designated polling locations as early as 15 days prior to an election.

“Our current system limits the window for voters to cast their ballots at traditional polling places to a single day,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex/Passaic). “Our goal must be to ensure that all voters have an opportunity to have their voices heard. Early voting will expand voter access and ensure that in the event of an emergency – such as a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy – or an unforeseen scheduling conflict, residents are not faced with the prospect of not being able to vote.”

TRENTON – Senator Nia H. Gill (D-Essex/Passaic) issued the following statement on the governor’s absolute veto of legislation (S-2364) she sponsored to provide for in-person early voting at designated polling locations statewide:

“The governor’s rejection of this legislation is out of step with the majority of states in the nation and out of touch with New Jersey’s hardworking families. Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia provide for early in-person voting, and as a result of the veto our residents’ access to the polls will be restricted to only one day.

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Ellen Karcher that would create the “New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act” to benefit domestic and sexual violence survivors was approved today by the Senate Labor Committee.

“Acts of domestic and sexual violence are intimate attacks that affect every aspect of a victim’s life. Their attackers often prey on a victim’s financial dependence and use it as a means of escaping punishment or committing additional attacks,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “This bill would break the cycle of dependence that is unique to domestic and sexual violence by providing victims with the means for getting out of a violent situation without losing their job altogether.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill and Jim Whelan to establish early voting in New Jersey was approved today by the state Senate. The Legislation would permit voters to cast ballots in person at designated polling locations as early as 15 days prior to an election.

“There are few rights more important than a citizens ability to vote, and so creating a secure and reliable system that ensures that our residents have access to the polls must be a priority,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex/Passaic). “Early voting will improve our current election process that current process that limits voting at traditional polling places to Election Day, which for many people is a work day, and it will expand opportunities for people to participate in the democratic process.”

“Our state was not prepared for voting in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and because of that many voters were left to navigate a confusing new set of rules on Election Day,” said Senator Whelan. “In many jurisdictions, polling places were relocated and an unprecedented system to allow voting by email and fax was put in place. We have to create a more predictable process for the electorate. Early voting will do that by allowing voting for up to two weeks before Election Day, including on weekends. In a modern day society, providing a more convenient and predictable system for voters just makes sense.”