NJ
New Jersey Assembly Bill A1454

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A1454

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Requires candidate for elective public office to file with nominating petition specific affirmation that candidate has not been convicted of disqualifying crimes.

Impact

The proposed changes introduced by A1454 promote greater transparency and accountability among public officials by ensuring that candidates disclose any criminal history that might disqualify them from holding office. This expansion could potentially change the landscape of candidate eligibility and public trust in the electoral process, as voters would have more comprehensive information regarding a candidate's background.

Summary

Bill A1454 seeks to amend the existing laws governing the qualifications of candidates for elective public office in New Jersey. Specifically, the bill mandates that all candidates filing a nominating petition must submit a signed affirmation confirming that they have not been convicted of any crimes that would disqualify them from holding office. This requirement is an extension of current laws which already apply to candidates for certain high offices, including Governor and legislative positions, and now expands to include all state, county, and municipal offices.

Contention

Critics of the bill may argue that the mandatory disclosure of criminal convictions, especially for lesser offenses or expunged records, could unfairly disadvantage certain candidates, thus limiting diversity and representation in public offices. The debate around this bill is likely to focus on the balance between ensuring qualified candidates and promoting an inclusive political environment.

Summary_detailed

Moreover, this bill emphasizes the importance of ensuring that candidates meet ethical standards before they can run for public office. With the specified effect immediately upon enactment, the bill aims to reinforce the integrity of the electoral process. Such provisions could spark discussions concerning the nature of 'disqualifying crimes' and how broadly or narrowly they should be defined to maintain fairness and justice in candidate evaluations.

Companion Bills

NJ A568

Carry Over Requires candidate for elective public office to file with nominating petition specific affirmation that candidate has not been convicted of disqualifying crimes.

Previously Filed As

NJ A568

Requires candidate for elective public office to file with nominating petition specific affirmation that candidate has not been convicted of disqualifying crimes.

NJ A1411

Prohibits candidates from nomination for more than one elective office at primary or general election.

NJ A403

Prohibits candidates from nomination for more than one elective office at primary or general election.

NJ A3826

Allows candidates to file form attesting to their understanding of and adherence to ELEC rules and regulations with their nominating petitions.

NJ HB440

Candidates for office; electronic filing of forms, petitions, and notifications.

NJ HB440

Candidates for office; electronic filing of forms, petitions, and notifications.

NJ HB55

Primary elections; candidates for nomination, withdrawal of candidacy.

NJ SB131

Primary elections; candidates for nomination, withdrawal of candidacy.

NJ HB1278

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates, for statement of candidates for delegates to national conventions, for Secretary of the Commonwealth to furnish county boards with list of candidates and candidates to be notified, for nominations by political bodies, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers and for affidavits of candidates; and, in penalties, further providing for false affidavits of candidates and for false signatures and statements in nomination petitions and papers.

NJ S979

Allows candidates for Senate and General Assembly to appear together in same nominating petition.

Similar Bills

NJ A568

Requires candidate for elective public office to file with nominating petition specific affirmation that candidate has not been convicted of disqualifying crimes.

NJ S4443

Ensures persons interested in filling certain vacancies in nominations for public office have access to certain information and to legal representation throughout selection process.

NJ A5633

Ensures persons interested in filling certain vacancies in nominations for public office have access to certain information and to legal representation throughout selection process.

IA SSB1020

A resolution relating to the Senate Code of Ethics governing the conduct of members of the Senate in relation to their senatorial duties during the Ninety-first General Assembly.(See SR 1.)

IA SR1

A resolution relating to the Senate Code of Ethics governing the conduct of members of the Senate in relation to their senatorial duties during the Ninety-first General Assembly.(Formerly SSB 1020.)

IA SSB1075

A resolution relating to the Senate Code of Ethics governing the conduct of members of the Senate in relation to their senatorial duties during the Ninetieth General Assembly.(See SR 1.)

IA SR1

A resolution relating to the Senate Code of Ethics governing the conduct of members of the Senate in relation to their senatorial duties during the Ninetieth General Assembly.(Formerly SSB 1075.)

MI HB5190

Drains: other; definition of per diem and compensation for drainage boards; modify. Amends secs. 72, 384, 441, 464 & 515 of 1956 PA 40 (MCL 280.72 et seq.).