Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32) is once again at odds with Republican Gov. Chris Christie after he vetoed the “Democracy Act” yesterday, which aimed to modernize New Jersey’s voting laws.
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9fdRCEKE3o[/fve]
“I think it was foolish for him to veto a bill like this. We just came off an election; we had the lowest turnout, I believe, since 1924,” Prieto said in a video produced by the New Jersey Assembly Democrats.
“There was a lot of support on this bill, which I think people understand it and get it, that, you know, being 39th in the nation, both in voter participation and voter registration, is not right. New Jersey has to come up into the 21st century.”
The Democracy Act proposed providing early voting that included extended and weekend voting hours, allow anyone with a state ID or driver’s license to be registered to vote, online voter registration and expanded voting access for military and overseas voters, among other things.
Prieto also pointed to Christie’s presidential campaign as a key reason why the legislation was vetoed.
“I think him vetoing it at this point in time shows that there has to be some correlation to him running for president. So, I think it just shows that when you put politics before policy, it’s not the right thing.”
Prieto, who was once again named Assembly Speaker last week, is no stranger to going toe-to-toe with Christie. Last month, the two went at it after Christie questioned why Democrats like Prieto were out campaigning instead of working.
Well, Mr. Prieto is upset state Dems can’t pay every Tom, Dick and felon and illegal alien to vote for them. Not enough loot to bribe the working stiffs throughout NJ Vinny.
We don’t want NJ to be turned into Hudson County pal.
Thanks very much Gov. Christie.
I did not see this voting rights act a modernization for eligible voters. It did not contain elements which would move NJ up in its pathetic ranking in states that make voting accessible. Just like combining elections and eliminating runoffs – it is not about the electorate but about politicians wanting to make a career out of their service.