An attorney for Jim McGreevey’s mayoral campaign is asking New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin for Election Day oversight in Jersey City, which is being mocked by Ward E Councilman James Solomon and Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2).
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
” … There have been events held by mayoral candidates O’Dea and Solomon where there was obstruction to early voting sites. Your office should investigate such efforts to discourage or intimidate voters and prohibit such activity for the balance of the early voting period or on election day,” PEM Law LLP Partner Rajiv Parikh wrote to AG Matt Platkin Monday.
“Specifically, Mr. O’Dea held a campaign rally at Lincoln Park within feet of the Hank Gallo Community Center, a designated early voting site. Mr. Solomon conducted a campaign rally directly on the steps of City Hall, which is also an official early voting location. This rally obstructed access to the building ostensibly blocking voter access to the polling location.”
Early voting across New Jersey began Saturday morning, though Parikh, also general counsel to the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, does not specifically mention when either alleged incident took place.
“Accordingly, we respectfully request that your office take immediate action to ensure independent oversight of all Jersey City election locations throughout the election period,” he continued
“We urge that such oversight be conducted by authorized and neutral representatives of the Attorney General’s Office or their designees to ensure that:
• No improper political activity occurs in or near polling or early voting sites; • All voters are able to cast their ballots free from interference, obstruction, or intimidation; and
• The administration of elections remains wholly impartial and fully compliant with our election laws.”
Parikh further stated that AG oversight is crucial to ensure the law is followed “and that voter confidence is maintained.”
In a statement, McGreevey further explained why he is asking for the state to be on the ground in Jersey City for the non-partisan November 4th municipal elections.
“The sanctity of the vote is the foundation of our democracy. Jersey City has a long and colorful political history, and with that history comes a responsibility to ensure that every election is conducted with fairness, integrity, and respect for the law,” he declared.
“As a city, we must never allow political influence or interference to overshadow our citizens’ right to vote freely. I have faith in our institutions, and I believe that transparency and accountability in this process are essential to restoring public trust. Every voter deserves confidence that this election will be decided not by power or proximity, but by the people’s choice.”
O’Dea for mayor campaign spokesman Phil Swibinski essentially called the letter delusional, saying to check the source before noting that the county commissioner did not even host a campaign rally over the weekend.
“Jim McGreevey’s entire career has been based on crossing ethical lines, so it’s pretty hard to take any of his statements seriously. The event he’s referring to in Lincoln Park was an annual Halloween party for local children and it has been organized by the nonprofit South Hudson Civic Association for over 20 years, with no involvement from the O’Dea for Mayor campaign at all,” he exclaimed.
“It’s just one of many community events that the organization sponsors every year. If McGreevey is that offended by local kids getting free candy and having fun he doesn’t have any business running for Mayor.”
Furthermore, Stuart Thomas, the campaign manager for Solomon’s mayoral run, was definitive in shooting down McGreevey’s claims, beginning by stating they were 210 feet from the polling entrance, well beyond the 100 feet required by state law.
” … We would like to point out that individuals associated with your campaign had poll greeters positioned closer to the entrance than our rally. There’s something to be said about glass houses and stones. You might want to check with whatever machine hack you’re using to manage that,” he wrote.
“Finally, labeling our rally-which included support from multiple unions and the Working Families Party-as ‘crossing the line’ demonstrates that you wouldn’t know actual popular support versus machine-bought backers if it chased you out of office in disgrace. In short, nothing in the letter you wrote is true. But given your long history of corruption, which is too long for this letter, we know you’re familiar with cutting corners trying to win.”
McGreevey, Solomon, and O’Dea are all believed to be viable contenders to make a one-on-one runoff election set for December 2nd.
Other candidates on the ballot next week are Council President Joyce Watterman, former Board of Education President Mussab Ali, Police Officer Christina Freeman, and Kalki Jayne-Rose.
Weak nonsense from an unworthy candidate.