Repeals the "Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote."
Impact
The impact of S2252 on state laws is substantial, as it actively amends several statutory provisions related to presidential elector laws and repeals existing legislation that has been in place since 2007. By eliminating the national popular vote agreement, the bill underscores the state's commitment to a localized electoral process and seeks to protect New Jersey voters' choices within the presidential election context. However, this shifts may also signal New Jersey's departure from a growing trend among states to adopt national popular vote measures aimed at enhancing the democratic process.
Summary
Senate Bill S2252 seeks to repeal the 'Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote' that was adopted as part of New Jersey law under P.L.2007, c.334. By doing this, the bill aims to return New Jersey's electoral voting process to the traditional winner-take-all method, where electoral votes are allocated to the candidate that wins the popular vote in New Jersey itself. This is a significant shift from the national popular vote approach which intended for New Jersey's electoral votes to align with the national popular vote winner, regardless of the outcome within the state.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding S2252 include concerns regarding potential disenfranchisement of voters, given that the agreement was designed to amplify the influence of individual votes on a national stage. Critics of the repeal argue that reverting to a state-based electoral vote system may undermine the principle of equal representation and dilute the voices of voters in states that do not conventionally assist the winning candidate. Proponents of the bill, on the other hand, emphasize the need to ensure that New Jersey's electoral votes reflect the will of its citizens as expressed in state elections, particularly in a manner that adheres more closely to the U.S. Constitution.
Extending the deadline for project agreements under the attracting powerful economic expansion act, enhancing incentives for qualified suppliers and adding a new employee relocation reimbursement incentive for qualified suppliers, limiting the corporate income tax rate reduction provision to two rate reductions and permitting qualified firms and qualified suppliers to participate in other economic development programs for new projects.