It's done ...

How about.... (4.00 / 2)

An elected Attorney General and Secretary of State?

Making these two offices independent elected officials could help root out corruption plus provide some balance to the very powerful executive branch. 

NJ is one of the only states that doesn't have elections for these posts.

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 17:05:09 PM UTC

What does the Secretary of State do, exactly? (0.00 / 0)

And I'm not being facitious, I've heard arguments that the position could be easily eliminated.

 

"Where ever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Bonzai

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by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 17:32:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

NJ... (0.00 / 0)

does have one of the weakest in the nation.  In my opinion it should be reorganized to monitor elections like everywhere else in the nation. 

 

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 17:37:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

In NJ (0.00 / 0)

the Sec. of State basically heads up the rah-rah NJ part of the state gov.  In most states, it is the top electoral monitoring position as well as a taxpayer's advocate.

In our state, the division of election is under the AG - which is fine if the position isn't elected or beholden to anyone who is.  When you're appointed by the Gov. and approved by the Sen., however, there is always the appearance of a conflict of interest. 

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by: Thurman Hart @ Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 17:58:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

But wouldn't making the AG and SOS elected.. (4.00 / 2)

... just create the appearnce of a different conflict -- e.g., with the sources of their campaign funds? Or create the perverse incentive, seen in other states, for prospective prosecutors to campaign on a "really tough (but maybe not so smart)" anti-crime platform?

The AG and Secretary of State seem at least to be protected from the worst elements of political influence as the only two Constitutional officers in the cabinet.  All other cabinet memebers serve at the pleasure of the Governor, but the AG and SoS, once confirmed, serve for the Governor's term (unless they retire/resign).  See Art. V, Sec. IV.

 

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by: John Bartlett @ Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 19:36:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

There's no way around it (0.00 / 0)

they are political offices and politics impacts who holds them and how they do their jobs.  As it is now, the Sec. State hardly matters.  For the AG - well, do you think McGreevey would appoint someone who might possibly one day indict him?  Even more so since the Gov. can't ditch him/her afterwards...

The problem of being "tough" rather than "smart" is a good one, but I think that the voters of NJ are smart enough to tell the difference.  As it is now, everything is off the radar screen unless someone can convince the Governor that it's a problem.  Increasing the number of statewide elected offices will give that radar screen some depth, so to speak.  With the financial problems Jersey has, I say let the Governor worry about handling that and let the voters determine what the prosecutorial agenda should be - tough on child support?  tough on domestic violence?  tough on corruption?  Take your pick.  I'm sure there would be a candidate for each one.

While Texas goes way overboard and beyond all sense in electing statewide officers, NJ has made the equally bad but opposite error in not electing enough.

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by: Thurman Hart @ Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 22:53:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think Elections are back with the SoS (0.00 / 0)

n/t

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by: huntsu @ Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 23:11:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes (0.00 / 0)

Interestingly, Albano, Jasey and Van Drew were the only three Democrats to vote no and Connors was the only Republican to vote yes in the Assembly.

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by: Creed Pogue @ Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 23:26:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Still under AG (0.00 / 0)

Elections are still under the AG, Division of Law

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by: Lacey Davenport @ Tue Dec 18, 2007 at 02:54:02 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

The bill just made it out of both houses and is awaiting the Governor's signature. n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: Creed Pogue @ Tue Dec 18, 2007 at 05:00:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]