N.J. Gov. Murphy mulls all-VBM primary election

[RandySF]

State and local election officials are working on a plan to cancel in-person voting for the June primary election and replace it with a vote-by-mail only election as the state deals with the coronavirus pandemic, the New Jersey Globe has learned.

Details are still being worked out and plans have not been finalized, according to more than a dozen election officials across the state who have been involved in some parts of the planning.

Gov. Phil Murphy possesses astonishingly broad constitution powers during a state of emergency. It’s not immediately clear if Murphy would make changes to upcoming elections by executive order, or by asking the State Senate and Assembly to pass enabling legislation.

Murphy and his staff have declined comment on changes to upcoming elections since last week. So has Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver.

The governor is considering different options on how to handle upcoming elections, including a referendum in Atlantic City on March 31 to decide on a proposed change in their form of government.

Murphy is also considering options for the April 21 school board elections, ranging from an all-VBM contest to a postponement until November, when most municipalities elect Board of Education members.

Several election officials said running an election entirely through VBM ballots in just a month would be extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible.




https://newjerseyglobe.com/governor/murphy-mulls-all-vbm-primary-election/

[Kahuna]

1. That's my Gov. He will do the right thing. nt