NJ lawmakers pass measure updating vote-by-mail law; Republicans displeased
Posted: Updated:New Jersey lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at eliminating confusion surrounding the state's 2018 vote-by-mail law.
The Democrat-led Assembly passed the measure Tuesday, sending it to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. The Democrat-controlled Senate approved the bill Monday. Murphy's office says he intends to sign the bill.
The measure updates a 2018 law that mandated that voters who signed up for and got mail-in ballots for the 2016 general election would continue to get those ballots for future elections, unless they opt out.
Lawmakers say that the law, however, failed to address those who requested 2017 and 2018 mail-in ballots. The new measure requires that those voters also get mail-in ballots unless they opt out.
Democratic lawmakers say that the new law will be beneficial to New Jersey voters.
"We've seen tremendous uptick in voter participation and we've seen a tremendous drive of people that are going towards vote-by-mail, so it's a consumer-driven product that people like,” says Democratic Assemblyman Lou Greenwald.
But some Republican lawmakers say that they are not happy with this new law. They objected to the late summer voting session. The Legislature is normally in recess until after Labor Day. Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick says the measure will help Democrats maintain a permanent majority in the Legislature.
"When you have a state that has 1 million more Democrats than Republicans, obviously it benefits the Democrats to have as many vote-by-mail ballots out there as possible. And if it didn't benefit them, they surely wouldn't be here in the last week of August, I can tell you that,” Bramnick says.
Bramnick says that he believes that when Democrats increase their majorities, their policies will become increasingly liberal, much to the detriment of voters.
"I don't think they're extreme - I think most people are in the middle,” Bramnick says. “Gov. [Tom} Kean said that years ago, 70% of the people are in the middle, I think that's where most voters want their Legislature to be."
But Greenwald says that the GOP is just out of touch and doesn’t know what the voters really want.
"When you're out of touch, over and over and over again, it doesn't matter the vehicle by which people vote, they're going to vote against you,” he says.
The bill also sets aside $2 million for counties to implement the law.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.
Top StoriesNewsMore>>
NJ attorney general: Jersey City attack being investigated as 'domestic terrorism'
NJ attorney general: Jersey City attack being investigated as 'domestic terrorism'
New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said Thursday that social media postings appear to show the Jersey City shooters held anti-Jewish and anti-law enforcement beliefs.
New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said Thursday that social media postings appear to show the Jersey City shooters held anti-Jewish and anti-law enforcement beliefs.
New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said Thursday that social media postings appear to show the Jersey City shooters held anti-Jewish and anti-law enforcement beliefs.New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said Thursday that social media postings appear to show the Jersey City shooters held anti-Jewish and anti-law enforcement beliefs.Surveillance video shows shooters park U-Haul, point guns, and storm Jersey City supermarket
Surveillance video shows shooters park U-Haul, point guns, and storm Jersey City supermarket
Surveillance video out of Jersey City Tuesday shows two shooters, later identified as Francine Graham and David Anderson, coming out of a stolen U-Haul they parked across from JC Kosher Supermarket.Surveillance video out of Jersey City Tuesday shows two shooters, later identified as Francine Graham and David Anderson, coming out of a stolen U-Haul they parked across from JC Kosher Supermarket.JC Kosher Market employee killed in Tuesday's gunfire remember by wife at vigil
JC Kosher Market employee killed in Tuesday's gunfire remember by wife at vigil
An Ecuadorian immigrant and store employee at JC Kosher Market was remembered at a vigil for the victim of this week's shooting Thursday night.An Ecuadorian immigrant and store employee at JC Kosher Market was remembered at a vigil for the victim of this week's shooting Thursday night.Religious leaders, elected officials urge message of unity in wake of Jersey City shooting
Religious leaders, elected officials urge message of unity in wake of Jersey City shooting
Elected officials and religious leaders came together for a news conference addressing this week's violence and subsequent tension in the Jersey City community.Elected officials and religious leaders came together for a news conference addressing this week's violence and subsequent tension in the Jersey City community.‘Brick Citi Buddha’ brings enlightenment, holistic approach to healthy living
‘Brick Citi Buddha’ brings enlightenment, holistic approach to healthy living
An Essex County man who battled drug and alcohol is now helping people through a holistic approach.An Essex County man who battled drug and alcohol is now helping people through a holistic approach.
Power & PoliticsMore>>
Power & Politics - Full Show for Dec. 7
Power & Politics - Full Show for Dec. 7
Watch New Jersey Power & Politics at 7 p.m. Friday, plus Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on News 12 New Jersey.Watch New Jersey Power & Politics at 7 p.m. Friday, plus Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on News 12 New Jersey.New Atlantic City mayor promises a clean and fair administration
New Atlantic City mayor promises a clean and fair administration
Atlantic City’s new mayor says that he is promising a clean and fair administration for the city’s taxpayers after his predecessor was removed from office.Atlantic City’s new mayor says that he is promising a clean and fair administration for the city’s taxpayers after his predecessor was removed from office.Gov. Murphy takes over reins of Democratic Governors Association
Gov. Murphy takes over reins of Democratic Governors Association
Gov. Phil Murphy is taking over the helm of the national arm in charge of electing Democrats to governorships.Gov. Phil Murphy is taking over the helm of the national arm in charge of electing Democrats to governorships.Power & Politics - Full Show for Nov. 30
Power & Politics - Full Show for Nov. 30
This week on New Jersey Power & Politics, Rep. Frank Pallone says that for him, there's no question President Donald Trump abused his power.This week on New Jersey Power & Politics, Rep. Frank Pallone says that for him, there's no question President Donald Trump abused his power.Union City mayor’s turkey giveaway: Charitable act or political stunt?
Union City mayor’s turkey giveaway: Charitable act or political stunt?
Union City mayor and state Sen. Brian Stack organizes one of the state’s largest turkey drives.Union City mayor and state Sen. Brian Stack organizes one of the state’s largest turkey drives.