March 28, 2008 - 3:39pm
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ROBERTS STATEMENT ON CLEAN ELECTIONS REPORT

Assembly Democrats News Release


ROBERTS STATEMENT ON CLEAN ELECTIONS REPORT

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., made the following statement today in response to report issued by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission on the 2007 Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Program:

"The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission today released a clinical study of the 2007 Pilot program. This report provides useful data to guide the legislature and the bi-partisan working group moving forward with this promising reform.

"The opportunity of reducing the influence of money in political campaigns is an attainable goal.

"This report illustrated that the 2007 Clean Elections experience was a vast improvement over the initial 2005 trial, but there is still a need for further improvement. The next step should provide for the inclusion of primary races, increasing the number of participating districts, reducing campaign spending and leveling the playing field for third party candidates. Additionally, a thorough examination of how best to address the outside influence of independent expenditures that undermine the sprit of the program is essential.

"The future of Clean Elections should not be in doubt. The fight for public financing in legislative races must continue to go forward."

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JOHN DUTHIE can be reached via email at duthiejo@gmail.com.