Senate bill proposes June 10 primary election

Legislation to move next year’s primary election to June 10 to obviate a conflict with voters who observe the Jewish holiday of Shavuot is expected to be introduced in the New Jersey State Senate today.

The bill comes after faith leaders, legislators, and some gubernatorial candidates called for a new election date because observant Jews are not permitted to use electronic devices, write, drive, or travel on Shavuot, which begins at sundown on June 1 and ends at 9:14 PM on  June 3, the scheduled primary date.

Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) told Jewish Insider this week that he would introduce a bill in the Assembly.  Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli has proposed moving the primary to the following day, Wednesday, June 4.

The Assembly appears less likely to take up the issue; some legislators told the New Jersey Globe that leadership was trying to link legislation to change the primary date to the ballot design and anti-Semitism bills.

A one-week delay in the primary could impact the campaign for governor, where candidates participating in the state’s gubernatorial public financing program that caps primary spending at $8.7 million.  Ten candidates have already begun spending with a budget that ends on June 3 and will now need to extend their overhead to carry an extra week.  The draft legislation does not authorize the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission to increase the spending cap.

Gov. Phil Murphy has indicated a willingness to work with the legislature to change the date.

The Senate bill will likely move every 2025 deadline back one week, including the filing deadline and the reorganization of political parties.