SCR126

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article IV, Section II, paragraphs 2 and 4 of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey.

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

1. The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is agreed to:

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

a. Amend Article IV, Section II, paragraphs 2 and 4 to read as follows:

2. Each senator shall be elected by the legally qualified voters of the Senate district, except that if the Senate district is composed of two or more counties and two senators are apportioned to the district, one senator shall be elected by the legally qualified voters of each Assembly district. Each senator shall be elected for a term beginning at noon of the second Tuesday in January next following his election and ending at noon of the second Tuesday in January [four] five years thereafter [, except that each senator, to be elected for a term beginning in January of the second year following the year in which a decennial census of the United States is taken, shall be elected for a term of two years].

(cf: Art.IV, Sec.II, para.2, amended effective December 8, 1966)

4. Two members of the General Assembly shall be elected by the legally qualified voters of each Assembly district for terms beginning at noon of the second Tuesday in January next following their election and ending at noon of the second Tuesday in January [two] three years or two years thereafter, as the case may be. The terms for members of the General Assembly shall be three years followed by two years in an alternating pattern.

(cf: Art.IV, Sec.II, para.4, amended effective December 8, 1966)

2. When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.

3. This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:

There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

a. In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:

If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."

b. In every municipality the following question:

		CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO CHANGE TERMS OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	YES	Shall the amendments to the New Jersey Constitution, agreed to by the Legislature, to provide that members of the Senate are to be elected for a term of five years, and to provide that members of the General Assembly are to be elected for a term of three years followed by two years in an alternating pattern, be approved?
		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	This amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, if approved, would change the term of members of the State Senate to five years. Also, the term of members of the General Assembly would be changed to an alternating pattern of a three year term followed by a two year term. State Senators currently serve a four year term, except for the first term in each decade which is two years. Members of the General Assembly currently serve a two year term.

SCHEDULE

This constitutional amendment shall be first applicable to the term of the members of the Senate and the General Assembly elected at the general election in 2011.

STATEMENT

This amendment to the Constitution, if approved, would change the term of members of the Senate to five years. Also, the term of members of the General Assembly would change to three years followed by two years in an alternating pattern.

Currently, the term of a member of the Senate is four years, except for the first term of each decade which is two years. The term of a member of the General Assembly is presently two years in length.

The amendment would be applicable to the Senate and General Assembly members elected at the general election in 2011.