Democrats Decry Governor’s Veto of Early-Voting System

Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have created a system for early voting in New Jersey, which Democrats saw as needed to expand voting opportunities but the governor deemed unnecessary.

Inspired by the state’s chaotic 2012 presidential election held in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the bill, S-2364and A-3553, would have permitted voters to cast ballots in person at designated polling locations as early as 15 days prior to an election. It was sponsored by and supported by only Democrats. All Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly opposed it, and given the composition of the Legislature, it is impossible to override a veto without GOP support.

In his veto message, Christie said New Jersey voters have been able to cast ballots early in person or by mail since 2009 under the state’s “Vote by Mail” program, formerly known as absentee balloting. The governor also balked at the price tag, which the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services placed at $23 million the first year and $2 million annually in the future.

“This bill risks the integrity and orderly administration of our elections by introducing a new voting method and process,” Christie wrote in his veto message. “Taxpayers should not have to foot a more than $25 million bill to pay for a hasty, counterproductive, and less reliable system.”

But one of the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Nia Gill, D-Essex, said the veto is a way to try to suppress voting.

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