Why New Jersey Needs Clean Elections

by: Matthew Jordan

Tue Jun 02, 2009 at 08:17:39 AM EDT

When you look at the configuration of New Jersey Congressional and Legislative districts the most apparent characteristic is fairly straightforward: the district either heavily favors a Democrat or Republican, and the latter usually has little chance of winning.  Most elections are uneventful, unwinnable, and inherently bad for a representative democracy.  

As a Democrat I look at the legislative map and think, this is great, there is probably not one feasible electoral scenario that will give Assembly Republicans the opportunity to control a majority.  They have to run the electoral board, holding every potentially vulnerable seat and performing well in LD1, LD14, LD36, and one of LD4 & LD38 in order to take back a majority.  All on limited resources with a broken party infrastructure.  

Out of 40 Legislative Districts in New Jersey any politically savvy person will tell you that there is probably only 2 battleground elections.  In LD1 Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam will fight to be reelected with Senator Jeff Van Drew not at the top of the ticket.  In LD36 Gary Schaer and Frederick Scalera are facing 2 candidates who came very close to unseating them in 2007 due to a series of local issues, mainly the Encap fiasco.  I would put Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo higher on the list of potentially vulnerable Democrats, but the Republican recruiting effort there was just embarrassing, especially in what could be a very competitive. election in LD14 where alienated State workers are a large portion of the electorate.  

Barack Obama Needs You!

by: Ann R

Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 01:22:47 PM EST

The Change.gov team has set up a second round of voting for the most important issues for the new administration to address.  You can go to the link below, easily register and vote for 10 issues.
the ideas are sorted into categories like:

Government Reform
Economy
Health care
Energy
Education
Environment

The Mother of All Issues:
If you care about energy independence, health care, education, the environment, the economy, then you should care about public funding. Because there is one underlying reason why our representatives in Congress can't move off the dime to solve these problems, and that reason is money. Big money that buys access and influence in Washington, dominates our policies and corrupts our politics. The only way to get big money out of politics is to cut politicians' dependence on big campaign contributions. It all comes down to one issue: public funding!

Remember even if our politicians aren't getting corrupted they spend too much of their time raising money and too little on making good legislation.

Consider our most recent loss- the  Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson.  He almost became  Secretary of Commerce but our system of private financing for political campaigns has made, at least the appearance of,  a"pay to play" problem for Governor Richardson.

Please vote for Citizens funding of the Nations Elections and then vote for 9 other ideas!

Voting ends Jan.15

http://www.change.org/ideas/vi...

A "mis"-ruling on campaign finance may kill clean elections in NJ

by: Hank Kalet

Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 02:56:33 PM EDT

Electoral reform a major hit last week -- one that has reverberated here in New Jersey.

A federal judge in Arizona ruled Friday that a key provision of that state's clean elections program was unconstitutional, leading New Jersey Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts to announce that plans to continue and expand the Garden State's public-financing experiment would be put on hold until the 2011 legislative elections.

OLS may be wrong on clean elections

by: Hank Kalet

Thu Aug 07, 2008 at 02:41:47 PM EDT

The opinion in Davis v. Federal Election Commission, as I write in my column today in the South Brunswick Post, is overly broad and fails to consider the differences between the New Jersey Clean Elections law and the program under court review.

Here's a surprise: Anti-clean elections group condemns clean elections

by: Hank Kalet

Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:15:58 PM EDT

The Center for Competitive Politics -- the euphemistically named organization that opposes public financing of elections -- has issued what it is calling a "study" that it says shows that special interests still control New Jersey politics.

Cleaning up government

by: Hank Kalet

Thu May 15, 2008 at 03:52:30 PM EDT

The Press -- which takes the same position as my papers, the South Brunswick Post and The Cranbury Press -- calls for the continuation and expansion of the state's clean election program.

A Deafening Yawn on Corruption

by: Thurman Hart

Mon May 05, 2008 at 10:02:50 AM EDT

But seeing the light late in the day doesn't erase what happened earlier. Corzine should have made it clear that regardless of how he feels about a young staffer, the ethical bar is not adjusted for size or age. Big and little fish are all the same in the eyes of the law.

I never thought or said that Inclan did anything horrendous.  But his actions allowed the horrendous to continue.  I'm not naive enough to think that he'd be where he is today (still in the Governor's office for ten more days) if he hadn't looked away - but if we are going to clean up the sewer, someone has to be the first to start calling a turd a turd.  There are undoubtedly dozens of people in the same position Javier Inclan found himself in Guttenberg a few years ago.  My advice: Call someone.  Call the state AG or the federal attorney.  

Just a word of correction - or maybe illumination - on Doblin's comments.  He writes:

Compare the conviction of former Newark Mayor Sharpe James to Delle Donna. James was a shark, while Delle Donna was a grouper. But for Christie it does not matter. Every fish caught counts.

Back to agreeing with Doblin:

However, Corzine's lack of public indignation remains problematic. There cannot be two ethical standards: one for staffers, who may be very nice people but who nonetheless make a poor judgment call, and another for more street-smart political operatives. Both groups of people should know better. Both groups are adults.

Little fish are eaten by bigger fish. That's Darwinian. Christie continues to drag the bottom feeders out of the water. That's justice.

But a lack of official indignation over an admitted bagman serving as the governor's deputy chief of staff ? that's just a bad fish story.

Now, riddle me this: How do you make the elections enforcement commission more effective?  Cut its budget, of course.  First up to be axed: publicly financed elections.  I just wish that was funny instead of so sad.

Reforming New Jersey State Government

by: Matthew Jordan

Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 12:13:40 AM EST

New Jersey?s political system following the Constitutional Convention in 1947 arranged the government to create the most powerful executive branch in the United States.  The political corruption that runs rampant in the state can be directly linked to the structure that has been set in place, the consolidation of power in the executive, the strength of the party organizations, and sometimes conflicting roles that government officials can play.  

To root out these issues in New Jersey and create a more efficient and effect state government reforms must be made.  Dual office holding must be fully abolished and not grandfathered.  Pay-to-play and no bid contracts must be made illegal on all levels of New Jersey government, even if it initially means an executive order by Governor Corzine.  The wheeling of campaign funds by the legislative leadership must be eliminated.  

Furthermore, there are several reforms that can be made concerning the structure of the government that could be essential in creating more oversight and rooting out corruption.  The Attorney General & State Comptroller should become statewide elected officials.  This is an important reform on several levels.  For one, it weakens the executive branch and creates credible agents to provide oversight and conduct investigations.  Also, it makes both of the positions more responsive to the public because they become elected officials.  Appointed officials are historical ineffective at providing oversight over their own political party and in some cases become an arm of the Governor.    

The incoming Lt. Governor should be given the Senate President role; much like how the Vice-President resides over the United States Senate.  This gives the office more authority and allows the Lt. Governor to act as a liaison between the State Legislature and the Governor?s office.  In its current form New Jersey?s Lt. Governor is going to be nothing more than a ticket-balancer that?s only function is to wait and around and step in if the Governor is killed, injured, or out the state.  

In order to enact a progressive agenda and enact serious social change the Democratic Party in New Jersey must create a progressive atmosphere.  By enacting sweeping reforms and creating more checks and balances our government will become more effective and create a more progressive ambiance.  

Finally, sweeping changes must be made the current Legislative and Congressional district maps.  Districts must be drawn more balanced to create as many competitive races as possible.  Legislators that are constantly facing tough reelection prospects will be more responsive and accountable to their constituents.  Additionally, matching public funds must be enacted statewide in primary and general elections.  Third party candidates must be given equal matching funds and Speaker Roberts has indicated that this will be on the upcoming Legislative agenda which is a step in the right direction.  Legislators should be able to become independent of the county organizations and given the ability to raise money in a more democratic, grassroots manner.  These are bold and radical steps in reforming how our state government operates, but in my opinion necessary in creating a more democratic society.  

Roberts Wants Expanded Clean Elections Program

by: Juan Melli

Tue Dec 18, 2007 at 07:18:00 PM EST

1.  Expand the number of Clean Election districts; at a minimum, expand the program to include primary elections in 2009.
2.  Strive for parity funding for third-party candidates so they have a more level playing field competing against the major party candidates.
3.  Ratchet down spending in designated Clean Election districts as a means of extending public financing to more districts in future elections without requiring exorbitant increases in taxpayer subsidies.

Final LD37 Clean Elections Debate

by: carolh

Tue Oct 23, 2007 at 02:24:03 PM EDT

This one will be held at Bergen Community College in Paramus.

Doors open  -  6:30pm
Debate begins - 7:00pm.

This one will be quite different than the last one.  It will be sponsored by the RECORD newspaper as well as the League of Women Voters.

The moderator will be the famous Alfred Doblin, Editorial Page Editor of the Record.

Two well-known Record Columnists are rumored to be questioning the candidates. Charles Stile and Mary Ellen Schoonmaker are presumed to be the questioners.

The Assembly candidates will debate first.  The Senate debate will follow the conclusion of the Assembly debate.

The questions will be asked first by the Record reporters, then the League of women voters will be reading written questions from the audience.

So, here's your last chance before the election to ask the Clean Elections candidates questions. 

Any other questions we should ask?
 

Clean Elections, Dirty Politics

by: carolh

Sat Oct 06, 2007 at 05:18:14 PM EDT

You could almost pity poor Ms. Nibot according to this Stiles column in the Record.  Tsk. Tsk.  Actually bribing elderly ladies with the promise of a free dinner if they would be her 400th contributor.  Sad.  So sad.

However, hold your pity for a moment.  Bergenfield does wierd things to folks lately........

Without the slightest sense of even understanding the irony of it all, Nibot has asked the ELEC to look into how Loretta Weinberg is spending her Clean Elections money.  After campaigning as the Clean Elections candidate up until the bitter end, while actually never being certified an OFFICIAL NJ Clean Elections candidate (talk about misleading packaging), Ms, Nibot has the raw unadulterated chutzpah to challenge Senator Weinberg about how she spends her newly acquired campaign funds.  I feel like Jon Stewart when he rubs his eyes furiously with his palms, shakes his head, looks up wide eyed and says Whaaaaaaa? 

Come again, Ms. Nibot?  If anyone is a Clean Candidate it is Senator Weinberg.  It is certainly not you.  According to ELEC, I have the proof.  You didn't QUALIFY.  You will just have to accept funds from folks like Joe Ferriero, Councilman Mulligan, or whoever else is funding your misleading campaign against our incumbent Senator. 

As for Ms. Nibot's indignation that Senator Weinberg is looking into how our public utilities are run, whether for ideas on how to improve them or to root out corruption, what the heck is wrong with that?  As a voter in NJ, I'd be happy to know that our Senator is looking after our interests everywhere - especially in expensive places and under rocks we often don't think to look.  I hate to tell Ms. Nibot,"It ain't all about you, sweetheart."  Just because you don't think a candidate should do any research except to learn all about your failings, doesn't mean Senator Weinberg is doing anything illegal or even unethical.  It just tells me, you have more issues than a newstand.  I don't know if I care to figure out what they all are before November 6 and I don't know if the voters have the time or inclination either. 

See below for more links and articles explaining the real ways campaign money corrupts the political process.  After reading them, tell me how a desperate Republican like Ms. Nibot can attack a popular honest Democratic State Senator like Loretta Weinberg who has just persuaded over 800 District 37 voters to give her 10$ each.  Tell me that Niibot is the clean candidate when she can't even stay above the kind of nasty smears and innuendos that characterize the dirtiest of politics.

Ms. Nibot, it is you who needs to "come clean" and stop advertising yourself as the Clean Candidate when you are NOT. 

A Roadmap for Reform

by: mikeshapiro

Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 11:27:27 PM EDT

Clean Elections - Round 2

by: carolh

Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 09:42:44 AM EDT

The hard deadline is September 30, which is when all the paperwork must be in to the state.  Don't make things harder for your candidates.  Get your contributions to your candidates by September 15, which will give them enough time to verify and get their paperwork to the state. 

Meeting this second deadline will get them more clean elections funds to spend on their campaigns.  Only two more months to go before the election. 

We can do this.  If you already gave your $10 to each candidate you CAN'T give again.  But you CAN urge your fellow registered voters who haven't contributed to send in $10. Tell them if we get clean elections to work right this time - you won't be hitting them up for a $250 dollar donation next election season.  What a bargain!!!

To Recap - these are the towns involved:

DISTRICT #14: Mercer: Hamilton, West Windsor Middlesex: Cranbury, Jamesburg, Monroe, Plainsboro & S. Brunswick

DISTRICT #24: Hunterdon: Califon, Tewksbury Morris: Chester Boro, Chester Twp, Mt. Olive, Netcong Boro, Washington & Sussex County

DISTRICT #37: Bergen: Bergenfield, Bogota, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Hackensack, Leonia, Maywood, Palisades Park, Ridgefield Park, Rochelle Park, Teaneck & Tenafly

Clean Elections webpage: http://www.njcitizen...

No matter what you read on other blogs, Loretta Weinberg's team is Clean Elections CERTIFIED so far, her Republican opponents are not.  The Republicans could not get even 400 contributions.

Webage showing which candidates are certified so far:
http://www.njcleanel...

For Downloading Printable Forms:
http://www.elec.stat...

Remember - EACH candidate you support needs a $10 check AND a form filled out with their name on it. 

Too early to judge clean elections program

by: Hank Kalet

Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 04:03:24 PM EDT

Or is it?

As of last week's deadline for running as a clean elections candidate on the ballot (candidates can still qualify for funding), 15 of 20 hopefuls had qualified. That's pretty good.

But what exactly does it mean?

Senator Weinberg announces 1st Clean Elections Deadline Met Today

by: carolh

Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 11:39:20 PM EDT

History in the making - again!

Today at 11:00 am in front of the Weinberg, Johnson, Huttle campaign HQ on Cedar Lane in Teaneck, Senator Weinberg and her running mates announced they have met the first hurdle in qualifying for Clean Elections funds.

The numbers:

Democrats:
Senator Loretta Weinberg 452
Assemblyman Gordon Johnson 428
Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle 430

Republicans:
Clara S. Nibot for Senate- 162
Frank Cifferelli for Assembly - 56
Wojciech J. Siemaszkiewicz for Assembly - 78

To give some perspective - because Weinberg's team participated in the Primary in June, they could not start qualifying for Clean Elections money until AFTER the primary.  Meanwhile - their Republican opponents, who started in April  (several MONTHS before the Weinberg team) could not even raise 400 qualifying contributions in that time.

Folks today said they actually felt sorry for the Republicans, because the results on their part were so pathetic.  And so  after being accused of not wanting to participate in clean elections by their opponents, the Weinberg team handily beat the Republicans in Clean Elections donations in a much shorter time. 

Todays press conference was great - Senator Weinberg explained that the Clean Elections milestone was an important one to hit because it shows the voters that NO SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY will be used in this election.  Their commitment to ending Pay-To-Play is serious.  It was fitting, the Senator pointed out, that the announcement was made in Teaneck, where efforts to stop the practice of Pay-To-Play are underway. 

The real star of the Press Conference was LD37 District registered voter Frances Levine who - curious about the hubbub going on in front of the HQ while walking to the butcher shop on Cedar Lane, asked what was going on.  Senator Weinberg explained the Clean Elections program to her on the spot - right in front of NJN news cameras.  Ms. Levine wanted to donate right then and there.  Opponents could have accused this of being a setup - but Ms. Levine was for real. You couldn't have asked for a better scenario to show how the Clean Elections campaign works by asking a voter on the street for her vote.  Frances pretty much won everybody's heart right then and there. 

When asked by reporters from NJN what worked about the program, Gordon Johnson said it improved "face time" with the average voter.  Not having to worry about raising so much money increased the amount of time he spent with each voter asking for their support - and ten dollars.  He said it takes about 20 minutes per voter - just to explain the program and do the paperwork right. 

The main downside of the current program is the sheer amount of paperwork involved.  Reports must be given in EVERY WEEK.  That is a lot of work for the staff of the candidates.  It was downright brutal - paperwork wise for the accountants.  You would think it would be easy to raise only ten dollars from folks but as Assemblywoman Huttle stated - you have to explain to a married couple that instead of just making out one check for 60 bucks and one form - they have to make out 6 (six) checks and fill out 6 (six) different forms. 

The idea is great, some kinks need to be worked out, but the absolute best payback is that in November - the Clean Elections Candidates get that moniker next to their names on the ballot AND a 250 word statement on the sample ballot.  It is like getting free advertising.  Weinberg, Huttle and Johnson qualified for that - their Republican opponents did not.

Senator Weinberg's team met the first hurdle.  But now we have the next deadline coming up - September 30, 2007.  So PLEASE if you have friends who haven't given their money in - they can still do so UNTIL SEPT 30.  That qualifies the Clean Elections Candidates for the next round of funds. They need 400 more registered voters in District 37.  So get calling, tell your friends and family they still can participate.  This is NOT OVER - it's just beginning. 

Now folks know the Weinberg team is serious about fighting Pay-To-Play.  Lets help them out, what do you say?

Last minute appeal for a critical Clean Elections Deadline in the 24th

by: Tom Wyka

Mon Aug 13, 2007 at 09:38:03 PM EDT

First the Good News!

Ed Selby, Candidate for the District 24 Senate Seat has passed the 400 mark to qualify for the first tier of the Clean Elections Grant  ($46,000 matching funds).

Ed will also have a special designation as a clean elections candidate on the sample ballot along with a statement of up to 250 words.

More Good News (sort of) ...

All GOP candidates have also qualified - setting up the 24th District with an automatic spending cap of no more than $100K per candidate, should anyone qualify for the top tier with 800 donations (despite some hypocritical protestations - in the form of a donation plea by our dear Mrs. McHose.)

Now the bad news ....

2007 Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project

by: LWVNJ

Tue Jul 31, 2007 at 09:50:24 AM EDT

The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act creates a experimental program for the public financing of candidates seeking election to the offices of Senate and General Assembly in Districts 14, 24, and 37 in the 2007 general election. This expanded legislation is the continuation of a pilot project that occurred in two legislative districts for General Assembly candidates in the 2005 general election. The League of Women Voters of New Jersey supports efforts to reduce the influence of money in politics. We believe that a voluntary system of public financing and spending limits is essential to prevent corruption and to give more candidates the opportunity to run competitive races.

Why Does New Jersey Need Clean Elections?

  Clean Elections could transform New Jersey campaigns and make elections more about voters rather than lobbyists and large campaign donors.
  Distrust in politicians remains high and there has been significant discussion in the press about the negative influences of money on political campaigns. Pay to play scandals continue to make the news.
  However, Clean Elections means that candidates do not owe allegiance to large financial backers.
  It means a candidate would not have to have wealthy patrons to run an effective campaign.
  Success of the Pilot Project and implementing Clean Elections affords NJ the opportunity to restore trust in our democracy.

What are the Benefits of Clean Elections?

Clean Elections makes your campaign contribution as powerful as everyone else's.
  Clean Elections levels the fundraising playing field so that elections can be about issues and ideas instead of who can raise the most money.
  Clean Elections removes the corrupting influence of money in politics and ends the reliance on special interest campaign contributions.
  Clean Elections assure each candidate owes his or her allegiance to the voter and encourages candidates' interaction with all communities in their districts.
  Because candidates are freed from the money chase, they have more time to spend with constituents working on issues that matter to voters.

What Must Candidates Do?

  Participation in the Clean Elections program is voluntary.
  A candidate who chooses to participate must declare themselves as a "Fair and Clean" candidate.
  He or she is then subject to the pilot program's contribution and expenditure limits. This means that the candidates must collect between 400 and 800 contributions of $10 only from registered voters in their district before September 30th  to qualify for a one time grant to run their campaigns.
  He or she must also refuse to accept contributions from other sources (with the exception of a limited amount of seed money to start the campaign). 
  Once a candidate is certified, he or she is required to participate in two interactive district debates. The first of the debates will be held in the first two weeks of October and the second will occur in the last two weeks of October.

Clean Elections in LD37 - The moment you've all been waiting for!

by: carolh

Thu Jul 26, 2007 at 06:46:13 PM EDT

If you live in one of the following towns - you are in Legislative District 37 and can participate in this historic election:

Bergenfield, Bogota, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Hackensack, Leonia, Maywood, Palisades Park, Ridgefield Park, Rochelle Park, Teaneck and Tenafly.

I was mailed the forms but you can download them here:

http://www.elec.stat...

At the top of each form  (you'll need one for each candidate) -write in:

Clean Election Fund of Loretta Weinberg for Senate
Clean Election Fund of Gordon M. Johnson for Assembly
Clean Election Fund of Valerie Vaineiri Huttle for Assembly

Fill out and sign all 3 forms.

Make out 3 SEPARATE checks to

1) Clean Election Fund of Loretta Weinberg
2) Clean Election Fund of Gordon M. Johnson
3) Clean Election Fund of Valerie Huttle

Mail all 3 forms and 3 checks (snailmail) to:

P.O. Box 3392, Teaneck, NJ 07666

USE 2 STAMPS

The GOOD NEWS: 
You only need to send in $10 for each candidate.
You don't have to be a registered Democrat to participate.

The BAD NEWS:
You can only send in $10 per candidate.
You must be a REGISTERED VOTER in LD 37. 

DEADLINES:
August 10th -  The first 400 contributions to each candidate in by this deadline allows the candidates to have the name "Clean Elections Candidate" printed on the ballot alongside of each candidate's name with an accompanying 250 word candidate statement.  - it's like free advertising right in the voting booth.  That first 400 donors for each candidate, also gets each candidate the first $50,000 installment of Clean Elections campaign grant money.

September 30 - A total of 800 separate $10 donations to each candidate must be in and completed in order to fully qualify for the entire $100,000 in campaign grant money for each candidate.
 

How much did your vote cost?

by: Jason Springer

Sun Jul 01, 2007 at 08:05:23 PM EDT

"This is the largest increase that we've ever had in terms of primary spending, and it is by far the most expensive primary," Frederick Herrmann, executive director of the Election Law Enforcement Commission, told The Star-Ledger of Newark for Saturday newspapers.

In five districts, spending on the June primary was over $1 million. And big spending often meant winning too: Winners spent $23.2 million, versus $2.2 million for the losers.

Altogether, 956,663 votes were cast in the primary election meaning that each vote cost roughly $26 by my very amateur math skils.

Herrmann said the total spending was 33 percent higher than four years ago, the last time all 120 seats were up for grabs. One factor was the fact that 17 lawmakers are retiring. "Open seats create more expensive races because they are more competitive," he said. He added that campaign expenses grow faster than the cost of living.

Seema Singh Reaches Clean Election Threshold

by: Juan Melli

Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 12:53:47 PM EDT

"I am grateful for this early outpouring of support for my candidacy from across the 14th district....This program has allowed me, as a first time candidate, the opportunity to enter the race with a level playing field."

Candidates are required to collect 400 $10 contributions to qualify for the program. Once certified, a candidate receives a $46,000 grant from the state plus an extra $1,200 for each additional $10 contribution - up to 400 more - collected through September.