Judge halts certification of Penns Grove election, schedules hearing in three weeks

A Superior Court Judge is waiting three weeks before even hearing an emergent election matter in a move that potentially imperils the continuity of government in Penns Grove.

Judge Benjamin Morgan today signed an order barring Salem County election officials from declaring Mayor LaDaena Thomas, an independent, as the apparent winner of a second term after an upset write-in campaign that came seven weeks after Morgan tossed her from the ballot under New Jersey’s Sore Loser law.

In a lawsuit filed this week, Republican Louis Pasquale claims Thomas unlawfully registered to vote in 2019 while on probation, something that didn’t become legal until early 2020.

Thomas pleaded guilty to third-degree theft of service charge 23 years ago after she obtained telephone services she had not paid for.  According to Pasquale’s attorney, she was sentenced to four years on probation, but that has been extended since she still owes $10,641.

“LaDaena Thomas illegally registered to vote while on probation in 2019, so her voter registration is fraudulent and invalid; consequently, she is ineligible to be the Mayor of Penns Grove,” Pasquale lawsuit states.  “Thomas’s voter registration application was fraudulent and invalid at the time she filed it, and remains fraudulent and invalid today.”

Still, election officials certified Thomas’s 2019 election as an independent and her petition to run for re-election this year.

Pasquale, who would become the first GOP mayor in 32 years if he wins, leads Democrat John Washington, a former mayor, 191 to 153.  But Thomas has at least 165 votes and more likely holds a more significant lead over Pasquale when close variations of the spelling of her name are counted.  There are 254 total write-in votes; as of election night, roughly 200 appeared to be for Thomas.

(At some point, Salem County election officials pulled down a detailed summary of write-in votes and replaced it with a PDF showing only a total for all write-in candidates.)

Thomas’ current term expires in 40 days, so the judge’s delay leaves a short and potentially untenable window for recounts and election challenges before the local government reorganizes on January 2.

Rather than hold an emergent hearing, Morgan chose to delay finding out Thomas’ side until December 12.

This isn’t the first time Morgan has rushed to judgment without hearing from Thomas.

John Rambo, a local auto repair shop owner and a Washington foe, launched a write-in campaign on Thomas’ behalf in the Democratic primary.  Thomas denied being part of that, although she did discuss it on Facebook.