Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RALPH R. CAPUTO
District 28 (Essex)
Assemblywoman PATRICIA EGAN JONES
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Caride, Assemblyman Taliaferro and Assemblywoman Tucker
SYNOPSIS
Requires State and local law enforcement agencies to assist officers receiving nomination petitions to investigate validity of any objection thereto when requested.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning petitions of nomination and amending R.S.19:13-11.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.19:13-11 is amended to read as follows:
19:13-11. The officer with whom the original petition was filed shall in the first instance pass upon the validity of such objection in a summary way unless an order shall be made in the matter by a court of competent jurisdiction and for this purpose such officer shall have power to subpoena witnesses and take testimony or depositions. [He] The officer shall request the assistance of State, county, and local law enforcement agencies, and county superintendents of elections in counties with such an official, to investigate the validity of any objection to a petition. The law enforcement agencies shall provide the results of the investigation within the time required for the officer to pass upon the validity of the objection. The officer shall file his or her determination in writing [in his office] on or before the ninth day after the last day for the filing of petitions, which determination shall be open for public inspection.
In the case of petitions nominating electors of candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, which candidates have not been nominated at a convention of a political party as defined by this Title, the Secretary of State shall file his or her determination in writing in his or her office on or before the 93rd day before the general election, which determination shall be open for public inspection.
(cf: P.L.2011, c.37, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect on January 1st next following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the officer authorized to receive petitions of nomination prior to an election to request the assistance of State and local law enforcement authorities to investigate the validity of any objection to a petition of nomination. Under the bill, law enforcement agencies must provide the results of the investigation to the officer within the time required for that individual to pass upon the validity of the objection.