CODEY BILL WILL GIVE NEW JERSEY VOTERS MORE 'BITE AT THE BALLOT'

Senate President Proposes Moving Presidential Primary to Early February

TRENTON (Aug. 24) -- Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex, announced today that he will introduce legislation to move New Jersey's presidential primary up to early February in light of the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) decision to add two new contests to the early window schedule for the 2008 election season.
"Too often during presidential primaries, candidates come here to seek our money and not our votes because it's too late. New Jersey, with its diverse social, economic and ethnic background, should be a part of the early primary activity that plays a crucial role in determining who will become the next President of the United States," said Sen. Codey. "Moving our primary up to early February will give New Jersey voters more bite at the ballot and help ensure that our votes remain relevant in guiding the course of our country for the next four years."

While he was Governor last year, Sen. Codey sponsored legislation, and signed it into law, moving New Jersey's primary from June to February 28 in order to make New Jersey's vote more integral in determining presidential candidates. However, last week the DNC voted to add a Nevada caucus and a South Carolina primary to the early calendar, in addition to the already existing New Hampshire primary and Iowa caucus. The bill Sen. Codey is proposing would move New Jersey's presidential primary up to the Tuesday that follows the first Monday in February, which would send New Jersey voters to the ballot box on February 5, 2008, the first day the regular primary window opens for all other states. The move would position New Jersey to play an important role in the determination of future presidential candidates.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jennifer Sciortino
NJ Senate Majority Office
(P) 609-292-5215
(E) jsciortino at njleg dot org