ASSEMBLY OK'S SCHAER/DIEGNAN BILL TO RESCHEDULE VOTES THAT CONFLICT WITH RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES ADVANCES

ASSEMBLY OK'S SCHAER/DIEGNAN BILL TO RESCHEDULE VOTES
THAT CONFLICT WITH RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES ADVANCES
Measure Stems from Situation in Edison Where School Officials Sought Bond Referendum On Rosh Hashanah

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Gary S. Schaer and Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. sponsored to ensure New Jersey voters are not disenfranchised when an election falls on the same day as a major religious observance was today passed by the General Assembly.

The measure stems from a recent situation in Edison, where a school bond referendum was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 30 - the same day as Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar. Under state law, school bond referendums may be held only on specific days, with no ability for rescheduling if that day coincides with a religious observance.

"Knowingly scheduling an election on a day of solemn religious observance is an insult to New Jerseyans everywhere who value the diversity of our state," said Schaer (D-Passaic/Bergen/Essex), the Legislature's only orthodox Jewish member. "Religious freedom has always been one of America's core values. We must recognize and respect that time-honored tradition."

"We simply cannot allow an entire segment of our society to be shut-out from casting their votes," said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). "Providing leeway to reschedule an election to ensure all voters can make it to the polls is common sense. No voter should ever have to choose between their religious and civic duties."

The Schaer/Diegnan bill (A-3186) would permit the Secretary of State to change the date of a a regular municipal election if the date coincides with a religious observance. It also would empower the Commissioner of Education to change the date of any school-related election that conflicts with a religious holiday.

"Even with our constitutional separation of church and state, no resident has ever been asked to shove their religious views in a drawer," said Diegnan.

"Making this change in election law will not only strengthen our democratic process, but strengthen our commitment to religious tolerance, as well," said Schaer.

After conferring with Jewish community leaders and state and local officials, the Edison school board voted to reschedule the bond vote to December.

The bill passed 79-0. It now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

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