Along with Assemblymembers Riley and Chivukula, Assemblywoman Joan Quigley is pushing legislation that would allow for online voter registration:
The measure (A-4189) would create an online voter registration form, hosted on a secure site within the Department of State's Web site, that would allow residents to register to vote, change their voting address after a move or change their name in the voter file, all from a computer. Before registering or making a change, an individual's identity would be confirmed utilizing the digital signature found on the state's new digital driver's licenses.
Here is the video press release on the bill the Assembly Majority office put out:
Quigley makes the argument that of all the things we can do online from the comfort of home, we can't register to vote because NJ is "stubbornly rooted in the past." She says making it easier to register may be what we need to get more people to get out and vote. I personally think you need to give people something to vote for once you get them to register too, but that's a separate issue.The legislation has not been assigned to a committee as of yet and there is also no Senate counterpart yet from what I see. What do you think of the idea of utilizing online voter registration?
"Choosing who to vote for can be a confusing and stressful process; casting a ballot shouldn't be," said Quigley (D-Hudson), chairwoman of the Assembly State Government Committee.
Um. Isn't "making sure your ballot is counted" part of "casting a ballot"? If it isn't; then what's the point of voting anyway?
"We simply don't have the money," said Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, D-Hudson. "We just can't do it right now. I don't think most people in New Jersey would see this as a priority.
"I know there will be a number of angry people there who feel that we are shortchanging the state's voters, although most of the people I talk with feel that it works. There haven't been major problems. The potential is there, but there haven't been major problems," Quigley said.
Just because she thinks the people of New Jersey don't have this as a priority, doesn't mean it shouldn't be one. The whole point of a paper trail is to ensure there are no major problems. How would you even know if you had any up until now, there's no paper trail to check. Quigley even acknowledges the potential for problems and questions about security have been raised:
A computer expert from Princeton University has found New Jersey's voting machines can be easily hacked, while a professor from Carnegie Mellon University scoffed at the findings, according to two divergent reports released yesterday by the Superior Court judge presiding over the case challenging the machines' reliability.
The lack of past problems does not mean we will have the same luck in the future. We can continue to hope, but I'm guessing that if some of our officials were in a close, questionable election with problems, it would become a little bit more of a priority. Unfortunately, it'll be too late once there is a problem.
Here on Blue Jersey, we have encouraged voting by Absentee Ballot regularly. Assemblywoman Quigley is sponsoring A2451 to expand voting by mail. We have this summary from the bill's statement:
This bill establishes the procedures to be used by qualified voters who want to vote by mail and the procedures to be used to prepare, count and canvass mail-in ballots. Entitled "The Vote By Mail Law of 2008," this bill repeals all existing absentee ballot statutes to simplify the steps voters are to follow to vote using this method and for elections administrators to execute the law.
Let's hear it for Elease Evans, Nellie Pou, Joan Quigley, Pamela Lampitt, Gordon Johnson, and Sandra Cunningham. As reported earlier by both Scott Weingart, who's doing a fantastic job liveblogging the convention for us here at Blue Jersey, and Matt Friedman at PolitickerNJ.com, five members of our legislature stood up to be counted as strong supporters of marriage equality this morning during a presentation by Garden State Equality to our delegation in Denver. We've just added Elease Evans to the list, based on reports from the delegation.
Though there are still doubters, all indications are now that New Jersey will be the third state after Massachusetts and California to guarantee the right to marry for same-sex couples. This kind of momentum, indicated by this morning's surprising development, is incredibly hard to overcome. While civil unions have been a progressive step forward for the cause, New Jersey residents seem to agree that basic civil rights should no longer be denied to a significant portion of our population.
This has been a great week for New Jersey's Democrats. Despite some weird media fixation on whether or not Senator Menendez would be given a speaking role at the Pepsi Center (and everyone knows he'd have delivered the keynote if it were up to me -- and perhaps should have, all things considered), we've seen our share of groundbreaking scenes at this year's convention. Our state's delegation played a big role yesterday, from the morning move to pledge all of our 127 delegates to Barack Obama, to being the last state to have our delegates counted in the roll call before Hillary Clinton's historic motion to nominate Obama by acclamation. It's fitting that six new backers for the marriage equality bill would announce their support at a convention where so much history is being written.
New Jersey took a step forward today towards allowing for a true vote by mail program when the Assembly State Government Panel advanced the "Vote by Mail Law of 2008". The legislation is sponsored by Assembly members Joan Quigley and Jack Conners. "To encourage people to vote, you need to make the process simple, easy, and accessible," said Conners.
Registered voters would be given the option to vote by mail-in ballot for all elections in a particular calendar year or for all future general elections. Once such a request is made, a county board of elections would be required to send a ballot to the voter without the need for any further requests. ...
The Secretary of State also would be required to undertake a public awareness program to properly educate voters about the new mail-in ballot voting procedures.
I'm not sure why they don't take the next logical step and allow voters the option to request all ballots for all future elections, but this is still a good step forward towards increasing voter participation.
The bill now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
On Saturday Night, May 19th, Hudson Diversity Action Council hosted our annual Block Party Endorsement Event for the June 5th Primary Election. Hudson Diversity proudly announced our endorsement of the following candidates for the June 5th primary election. We have worked diligently to identify candidates who are pro-marriage equality, not only pro-arts but also pro-artist, pro-education, and pro-diversity.
We are delighted that, for the first time in our recollection, the field of 24 candidates holds over half (14) who are a part of one diversity group or another. Of the 12 candidates we are either endorsing or recommending, our line-up includes 4 Women, 4 Latinos/as, and 2 African Americans (only 4 straight white men).
We hope you will get out and spread the word and most importantly vote for each of our candidates running in your area. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with each one of these great leaders.
County Executive Thomas A. DeGise County Clerk Barbara Netchert Sheriff Juan Perez Hudson Diversity Action Council has such an abiding respect and admiration for the integrity and leadership of the County Executive, Tom DeGise, that our decision to endorse him was very easy. As we have gotten to know Barbara Netchert and Juan Perez, that decision became an easy one as well. Having a full team of people so committed to the best for Hudsons residents with the talent and experience to deliver is refreshing and we look forward to Hudson Countys progress under this great group of individuals.
31 Senate Sandra Bolden-Cunningham Assembly Nicholas Chiavralloti Assembly L. Harvey Smith The deciding factor in our 31st district endorsements was community connection. We believe the candidates here have both a strong sense of what is important to our community and a close connection to the people within our community. We are endorsing two people with a world of experience as Jersey City leaders and the former State Director to Senator Menendez. Each a leader in their own right, we believe that these individuals will come together to best serve the residents of the 31st.
32 Assembly Joan Quigley Our key component to our 32nd district endorsement is experience and growth. Joan Quigley has proven herself a strong leader who is willing to allow her stances to evolve with the ever-changing face of her constituency. Nicholas Sacco and Vincent Prieto are recommended choices here as well; however, were unavailable to meet with us.
33 Senate Brian Stack Assembly Ruben Ramos Assembly Caridad Rodriguez In the 33rd district, we looked to candidates with foresight and plans for Hudsons future. Brian Stack and his team are forward-thinking progressives with a strong plan to improve the lives of New Jerseys residents. Each has shown, in their previous experience, that they are willing to put it on the line for what they believe. We appreciate this teams steadfast support of the ideals espoused by Hudson Diversity and look forward to seeing their tenacity continued in their tenure in Trenton.
New Jersey rarely sees seriously contested primaries for the state legislature. The June 5th Democratic primaries in Essex and Hudson counties, in which Garden State Equality presents its endorsements below, are the exception.
Some explanation is in order on this odd political year in Essex and Hudson. Several legislative candidates long allied with one another -- candidates who previously ran together on the same column on the ballot -- are running against each other in different columns. The new alliances emanate from behind-the-scenes political wars that have little to do with issues, and much to do with turf and perceived slights. The alliances are asking organizations like Garden State Equality to endorse their entire columns or not at all.
We at Garden State Equality reject that approach, and so should you. We endorse the candidates best on our issues, regardless of column. Imagine that.
Garden State Equality's endorsements are based on the records of, and interviews with, the candidates.
Some of our endorsed candidates are running on the local party-endorsed column. Some of our endorsed candidates are not running on the local party-endorsed column. If you are a Democratic voter in Essex or Hudson, or anywhere else in New Jersey for that matter, you are always free to vote for candidates across columns.
All of Garden State Equality's endorsed candidates meet the following criteria: (a) They would vote for marriage equality. (b) They would vote for strengthening the state's hate crimes law, including adding hate crimes based on a victim's gender identity or expression. (c) They would vote for a comprehensive syringe exchange program that will save the lives of many people with HIV/AIDS. (d) If the candidate currently serves in the legislature, he or she must have voted "yes" on the civil unions law -- candidates who abstained or voted no would certainly not vote for marriage equality. (e) If the candidate currently serves in the legislature, he or she must have voted "yes" on the transgender equality law.
We remind you that in New Jersey, each legislative district is represented by one state Senator and two Assembly members. Thus you can vote for one Senate candidate and one or two candidates for Assembly.
Note that if you live in District 27 in Essex, encompassing part of Newark and all of Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Maplewood, North Caldwell, Orange, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell and West Orange, the incumbents face no primary on June 5th. They are Senator Dick Codey, Assemblyman John McKeon and Assemblyman Mims Hackett, all splendid champions of equality whom we strongly support for reelection in November.
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS
District 28, Essex (Part of Newark, all of Belleville, Bloomfield and Irvington): Cleopatra Tucker for Assembly.
For the Assembly, Garden State Equality endorses Cleopatra Tucker. She runs the Donald K. Tucker Centre in Newark, a comprehensive community center for both children and senior citizens that has done so much to lift up so many throughout the city. The Centre is named after Cleo's husband, the late Assemblyman Donald K. Tucker. Cleo is an impressive grassroots activist in her own right who has the support of our allies, Mayor Cory Booker and city councilwoman Dana Rone.
Garden State Equality stops just short of an endorsement of, but confers "preferred candidate" status on, Bilal Beasley for state Senate and Ralph Caputo for Assembly. They said they personally support marriage equality but have not made up their minds on legislation yet. This makes them preferable to the incumbents, particularly Senator Ron Rice, who abstained on civil unions and is the state legislature's leading opponent of syringe exchange.
District 29, Essex/Union (Part of Newark, all of Hillside): Teresa Ruiz for state Senate. Wilfredo Caraballo for Assembly. L. Grace Spencer for Assembly.
Garden State Equality's focus in this district is the reelection of Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo. As Speaker Pro Tem and as a professor of constitutional law at Seton Hall, Fred is an intellectual powerhouse who ranks among the most effective civil rights champions anywhere in America. With passion, soaring oratory and a grasp of public policy second to very few, Fred has been a quarterback on a wide range of pro-LGBTI legislation. He guided the civil unions law to passage while making clear that the law is not equality -- and that the fight for real marriage equality must be won soon. He and his staff work in close partnership with Garden State Equality. No matter where in New Jersey you may live, if you have to donate your time or money to just one candidate this primary season, please consider Fred. Checks are payable to "Election Fund of Wilfredo Caraballo" and should be mailed to Caraballo for Assembly, 562 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104. Fred's campaign office number is (973) 485-8701. New Jersey election law requires that for donations of $300.01 and above, you provide your occupation, employer and employer's address.
Garden State Equality debated whether to endorse Fred alone, or to also endorse one other Assembly candidate for the two Assembly seats. In a close call, we endorse L. Grace Spencer for the other Assembly seat, an attorney who has worked with members of the LGBTI community and has an impressive grasp of the issues. The third candidate running for the two Assembly seats is Albert Coutinho. Though he would make a fine Assembly member, Coutinho described himself as close, but not there yet, on marriage equality. We believe he is persuadable, but Caraballo and Spencer are there already.
Garden State Equality endorses Teresa Ruiz for state Senate, running unopposed in the primary. Ruiz, a top aide to County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, wowed us when interviewed her. She is formidably direct, progressive and off-the-charts charismatic. She spoke movingly of the harm inflicted on her LGBTI friends who cannot marry. Her experience working for the County Executive, himself a staunch ally of the LGBTI community and an absolute pleasure to work with, has been invaluable. Ruiz will be a superstar in Trenton.
District 31, Hudson (Part of Jersey City, all of Bayonne): Sandra Cunningham for state Senate. Nicholas Chiaravalloti for Assembly. L. Harvey Smith for Assembly.
Garden State Equality's focus in this district is the election of Nicholas Chiaravalloti to the Assembly. We leaders of the LGBTI community and other progressive communities know Nicholas well through his years of service as U.S. Senator Bob Menendez's state director. Beyond being a smart, hardworking ally of the LGBTI community and a supporter of every LGBTI issue, Nicholas is everything Hudson County needs. He is an accessible, progressive reformer who articulates a compelling vision of a more accountable, open government. He would be a breath of fresh air in Trenton.
For the other Assembly seat, Garden State Equality endorses L. Harvey Smith. As a state Senator in 2003, Smith declined to vote on the narrow domestic partnership bill whose achievement was to gave same-sex partners the right to visit one another in the hospital. Today, Smith says he was wrong. "I've come a long way," he says, "and I believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry like everyone else." Voters should reward that kind of honesty and growth.
Garden State Equality endorses Sandra Bolden Cunningham for the state Senate. Well-known to voters as the widow of former state Senator and Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham, Sandy has a rich history of her own progressive activism and has worked closely with the LGBTI community. She is an extremely articulate voice for justice. We support her over Lou Manzo, currently an Assembly member, in a race where both candidates support marriage equality but where she is more passionate about the issue. Manzo said he would not be a leader on the issue. In a district with one of the largest LGBTI communities in the state, that's not good enough.
District 32, Hudson (Part of Jersey City, all of Harrison, Secaucus, Kearny and North Bergen): Joan Quigley for Assembly. Vince Prieto for Assembly.
Garden State Equality endorses Joan Quigley for reelection to the Assembly, where she is Majority Conference Leader, the third highest ranking member of the chamber. Quigley has been a leader on every LGBTI issue over the years. She has soared even further in our eyes as she has taken on the rabidly anti-LGBTI author Ann Coulter in the media.
Garden State Equality also endorses Assemblyman Vince Prieto, Deputy Majority Whip and another progressive who supports marriage equality.
Senator Nicholas Sacco, running for reelection, did not return calls.
District 33, Hudson (Part of Jersey City, all of Hoboken, Union City, West New York and Weehawken): Brian Stack for state Senate. Ruben Ramos for Assembly. Carrie Rodriguez for Assembly.
Garden State Equality's focus in this district is the election of Brian Stack to the state Senate. Were there a list of the 10 most interesting people in New Jersey politics, Stack would surely be on it. As reviled as he is by the local party machine for being independent, Stack, now an Assembly member and mayor of Union City, is beloved by his constituents. It's understandable: Stack picks up garbage from the streets, works around the clock and is accessible to all. He's also one of the most pro-active leaders we've ever worked with. Just before last fall's New Jersey Supreme Court decision came down, he called us to say he would introduce a marriage equality bill were the decision to fall short. We didn't even have to ask, and he's been like that on every LGBTI issue over the years. Brian Stack in the state Senate could make all the difference in that chamber for marriage equality.
Garden State Equality also endorses Ruben Ramos and Carrie Rodriguez for Assembly, two proteges of Stack who share his passion and his views. This is one team Garden State Equality is proud to endorse in its entirety.
A few days ago, Alexandra Starr of the New Republic published an article about a woman's role in politics in states like New Jersey that have "deep-blue political tendencies and a virtually all-male power structure." Starr opens her article -- with the oh so tasteful title, "Bada Bing Club" -- writing,
Oftentimes, the women who gain access to New Jersey's behind-the-scenes political gatherings aren't wearing much in the way of clothes.
The Hudson County Democratic Organization can't speak for others, but on our team, women are playing a more important role than ever. This year, the most women in our history are running for the State Legislature. Assemblywoman Joan Quigley of Jersey City is running for re-election in the 32nd. Jersey City's Sandra Cunningham is a candidate for State Senate in the 31st. And in the 33rd, Carol Marsh and Nicole Garcia will become the only Assembly delegation with two women. (Currently, there are only four Senate-Assembly delegations with two women and none with three.)
If the HCDO ticket is successful this June 5, four out of the nine Hudson County legislators will be women -- or a little more than 44%. That's nearly twice the 2007 national average for women serving in their state capitals.
The women on Hudson County's new Democratic team are strong, independent and professional. They all have a seat at the table and their voices are heard. It's the way it should be, and it's a shame that it hasn't been that way in the past.
If you want to buy Sudafed at your local pharmacy, you have to present ID and sign a log book. By law you can only buy 9 grams per month.
If you buy a hand gun in New Jersey, there's no need to register it. You can also buy as many as you want each month. For now, anyway:
New Jersey could become the nation's fifth state and the first in seven years to make it illegal for people to buy more than one handgun per month.
Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, a sponsor of the legislation, represents Jersey City, which like other New Jersey cities has struggled against street gangs and gun violence.
"I personally can see no reason why anyone would want to go out and buy guns in multiples," she said. [...]
The proposal comes with New Jersey increasingly concerned about gun crimes, particularly from street gangs. Last year, authorities in Newark, Irvington and Camden seized 114 firearms, up from 86 in 2005. Meanwhile, homicides in Newark have jumped from 65 in 2002 to 113 last year, with nonfatal shootings also on the rise.
One-gun-per-month laws have been supported by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, which contends they've cut gun trafficking in Virginia and handgun sales in Maryland. New Jersey Assemblyman Peter Barnes, another bill sponsor, said that's key because guns are now the weapon of choice for young people.
The 32nd cuts across one of the most typically Jerseyan sections of the state, cutting west from North Bergen on the Hudson, through parts of Jersey City Heights and West Side, across to Kearny, Harrison and East Newark, and north to Secaucus. One Bergen County town, Fairview, remains in the district, though it is unmistakably an outpost of Hudson County demographics. The 32nd has the highest concentration of scenes from the Sopranos TV show, with Satriale's Pork Store in Kearny, Big Pussy Bompansero's Body Shop in Harrison, and the classic Pulaski Skyway in the background.
This district has a high population of Latino and foreign-born voters, each representing four out of ten constituents.
This district is also among the bluest in New Jersey, at least by registration. 42% of voters affiliate with the Democrats here, a nearly 5-1 advantage over the GOP. In a good Democratic year like 2005, the district votes more than 75% for Democratic candidates.
Senator Nicholas Sacco leads the delegation. He is North Bergen's Mayor and School Superintendent. In the Senate since 1994, he has faced little opposition since. He has been an advocate for urban enterprise zones as well as law and order on drugs and prisoner issues. Assemblywoman Joan Quigley of Jersey City Heights, also in since 1994. is a known advocate for health issues. Vincent Prieto, a Cuban-American, was selected in 2004 to replace the ethically challenged Anthony Impreveduto. Prieto, a building code inspector in Secaucus, serves as Deputy Majority Whip, and having met him a great addition to the Legislature.
Issues of land use, particularly with the Sports and Exposition Authority, affect the district. The heavily Democratic nature of the 32nd makes general elections a formality, but a primary challenge to Quigley from Jersey City Councilman William Gaughan in December 2006 was deftly avoided by some work between the Hudson County Democrats and Governor Jon Corzine.
The flagship newspaper of the state, our very own Star-Ledger has solved the budget impasse:
What the budget battle needs, female lawmakers said, is a woman's touch.
Ok, it wasn't the Ledg, it was actually the women in the statehouse.
Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) said yesterday female lawmakers have talked among themselves about trying to find a compromise that allows Gov. Jon Corzine and Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts to "save face," but that any such compromise would be difficult at this point.
"It's a testosterone problem," Weinberg said. "Some people are making decisions based upon egos rather than what is best for the state of New Jersey."
Could they be onto something (or just on something)?
A few days ago, Blue Jersey's Juan Melli was taken to task for saying Assembly Dems were acting childish. Today, the Jersey Journal provides further proof that Mr. Melli was right:
On Wednesday, Assemblywoman Joan Quigley of Jersey City was asked to stay away from the Assembly budget panel by Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts, mainly because she supported Gov. Corzine's state budget proposal, and she was replaced by Assemblyman Albio Sires of West New York. And it was a good thing.
During the budget committee's tense session, Assemblyman Lou Greenwald, D-Camden, who backs Roberts' position on the budget, and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan of Union, the chairman of the state Democratic Party, who supports Corzine's plan, got into an extremely heated exchange. Sires used his entire 6-foot-5 body to get between the two men to avoid an ugly situation. Somehow, it is hard to imagine Quigley managing to keep them separated, but then again, who knows.
