State Republicans have joined the Trump campaign in a suit to stop New Jersey’s plans for a mostly vote-by-mail election.

BettyLou DeCroce, a GOP Assembly member from Morris County, has another idea.

She is proposing that New Jersey join the ranks of many other states and allow “early voting” at the polls. DeCroce says early voting would commence 14 days before the date of the general election.

Under her legislation, there would be at least one polling place in each municipality; large population areas would have more. This would be in-person voting, but spreading it out over two weeks could be a way to reduce crowds and the spread of COVID-19.

Over the years, Republicans have opposed early voting, but in the midst of a pandemic, traditional norms may no longer be that traditional.

The Senate Budget Committee this afternoon passed S-2633, which extends certain ballot receipt and election certification deadlines; increases certain messenger and bearer ballot limits; and equires certain information to increase public awareness and use of voting by mail.

     Under the bill, the Secretary of State is required to:

      (1)  prepare informational posters for use at all polling places that promote voting by mail,

      (2)  include with mail-in ballots information for the voter on how to check the status of the voter’s mail-in ballot, and

      (3)  provide educational materials to county board of elections employees on the standards for acceptance and rejection of mail-in ballots.

Republicans on the commitee – Senator Steve Oroho, Ssenator Mike Testa and Senator Declan O’Scanlon – opposed the bill.

Republican Senator Sam Thompson left a “yes” vote.

Mike DeLamater, head of Governor Murphy’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, slammed the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office for leaking information to the press regarding private intra-governmental discussions on the Lakeside Diner in Lacey Township, operating in defiance of a closure order, cited for violating Governor Murphy’s executive orders on dining protocols.  DeLamater said he was “pissed off” and that “I really want to keep these calls tighter.”

State Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) wanted to know if state Supreme Court nominee Fabiana Pierre-Louis thinks it’s important for her to consider the U.S. Constitution.

“Many people feel he hasn’t really followed what the Constitution says,” said Doherty, referring to Governor Phil Murphy.

“He made sweeping changes to how we’re going to conduct the election [not involving the legislature],” he added.

“We have a governor who says ‘it’s above my pay grade,'” Doherty complained.

“I dont think it’s appropriate for me to comment on some of those issues,” said Pierre-Louis. “If I’m fortunate enough to be on the court [she acknowledged she would consider constitutional issues].”

Second Amendment champ Doherty was also irritated at Pierre-Louis for wearing a ribbon expressing her opposition to gun violence.

“Don’t you think you should have thought what that organization is all about before you put that orange ribbon on?”

“It was supportive of gun violence victims,” said the nominee. “I was told it was in supportive of gun violence victims.”

“She did graduate magna cum laude,” Senate Judiciary Chairman Nick Scutari chastised fellow Senator Gerald Cardinale during the confirmation hearing this afternoon for state Supreme Court Justice nominee Fabiana Pierre-Louis.

Cardinale had just made the observation that Pierre-Louis did graduate from law school.

Moments later:

“Are you a communist?” Cardinale asked, evidently sending Scutari squirming.

GOP Rep. Van Drew is slated to speak at the RNC on Thursday night, in between House Minority Leader McCarthy and Ivanka Trump.

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