This time around, Election 2002, the
Democratic Party took advantage of vague language in the law (as
interpreted by the NJ Supreme Court) to replace their candidate in the
eleventh hour. Next time around it may be the Republican Party that uses
the same tactic.
NJ voters have always selected their
own final candidates in the June Primary based on evaluation of
the platforms presented. They have then further refined their decision
through more exhaustive individual research and often by viewing
multiple candidate debates over a period of months.
The voters deserve their right to
select and then vote on their candidates of choice - having a candidate
that no one has seen, or voted on (from either party), thrust upon them
mere weeks before the election is not respective of those rights.
The New Jersey Legislature is the
only entity that can, and should, address this problem by redrafting the
law to remove the current ambiguity. Call or write to let someone know your feelings on this matter. Let them hear
from you whether you agree with the above or not - that's how it's
supposed to work.
2003 Update: As Yogi
Berra would say, "it's Déjà vu all over again." This time, with only 39
days left (6 days past the 45 day deadline) Democratic State Senator
Joseph Suliga dropped out of the race - no problem, deadlines are
meaningless and he'll be replaced with the choice of his party. Soon the
politicians won't even look at current statutes for guidance - indeed, it
seems they already look only to determine how difficult it'll be to
override them rather than follow them.
