Bill Text: NJ ACR253 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Proposes constitutional amendment to authorize Legislature to limit by law total amount of money candidates and others may raise and spend on State and local elections.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-07-13 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee [ACR253 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2016-ACR253-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 253

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JULY 13, 2017

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  JOHN S. WISNIEWSKI

District 19 (Middlesex)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Proposes constitutional amendment to authorize Legislature to limit by law total amount of money candidates and others may raise and spend on State and local elections.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article IV, Section VII of the New Jersey Constitution.

 

     Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

 

     1.  The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is hereby agreed to:

 

     PROPOSED AMENDMENT

 

     Amend Article IV, Section 7 by adding a new paragraph 13 to read as follows:

     13.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, it shall be lawful for the Legislature to impose by law reasonable limits on the total amount of money that candidates and other persons or entities may raise or expend in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate for nomination for, or election to, a State or local elective public office.

 

     2. When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.

 

     3. This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:

     There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

     a.  In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:

     If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."

     b.  In every municipality the following question:

		CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO SET LIMITS ON THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT MAY BE RAISED AND SPENT FOR STATE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS
	YES	Do you approve amending the Constitution to allow limits to be placed on the total amount of money raised and spent for election campaigns?  This change would only apply to State and local elections.
		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	This amendment would allow the Legislature to pass laws to place reasonable limits on the total amount of money that may be raised and spent for election campaigns.  The laws would only apply to elections to fill positions in State, county, or municipal government.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     The proposed constitutional amendment would authorize the Legislature to impose reasonable limitations on the total amount of money that candidates and others may raise and spend in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate for nomination for, or election to, a State or local public office.

     The State has a compelling interest in preventing the extraordinary power of private wealth from affecting the outcome of elections.  Reasonable spending limits are further justified by the State's interest in preventing excessive fund raising from interfering with the ability of officeholders to perform their official duties.  The need for candidates to raise and spend enormous sums of money has bred cynicism and distrust among the public and has created an electoral system perversely dominated by special interests.  Consequently, there is an urgent need for the State to have the authority to enact laws limiting expenditures by candidates and others in State and local elections.  This amendment would allow the Legislature to enact legislation narrowly tailored to address the State's compelling interest in maintaining trust in the democratic process.