Republican county officials are now joining with their Democratic counterparts to question the cost of New Jersey’s special U.S. Senate election. The Boards of Chosen Freeholders in Bergen County and Monmouth County on Wednesday publicly questioned how they will be able to pay for the costs of the Aug. 13 special primary election and Oct. 16 special election without the state giving counties the money upfront. Gov. Chris Christie (R) has pledged that the state will pay the $24 million bill, but by reimbursing local officials who will pay the initial costs — a process that could take as long as seven months. Last week, the Union County freeholder board passed a resolution objecting to the cost of the October election. The Union County freeholder board is all Democratic, while the Monmouth County board is all Republican. Democrats hold the majority on the Bergen County board, but the resolution passed unanimously with GOP support.
“With the special elections, the state is throwing the burden on the county, and I believe the county should be paid before them,” Monmouth County Freeholder John Curley (R-Red Bank) told NJ.com. “We’re struggling as a coastal county with all the problems from Sandy, now we’re left with towns that are devastated and the tax base is deficient.”
Christie called the special election earlier this month following the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D). Conflicting sections of state law led to questions over whether the special election would be in November of this year or next year, but gave Christie the right to call an election on another date. The Oct. 16 date, 20 days before the regular November election for governor, has been objected to by Democrats, who cite the cost and the potential for voter confusion. The state Supreme Court on Thursday declined to hear an appeal from Democrats to have the Senate election moved to November of this year.
The Oct. 16 date also prevents the possibility of Democratic Senate candidate Cory Booker, the popular Newark mayor, from appearing on the same ballot as Christie and state legislative candidates. Christie is facing off in November against Democrat Barbara Buono, who he currently leads by over 30 points in the polls.
Full Article: Objection To Christie’s $24 Million Senate Special Election Spreads Across State.