Establishment

The New Jersey Citizens' Clean Elections Commission was created in 2004 by the New Jersey Legislature (P.L.2004, c.121)(Statement) (Brief Explanation of P.L. 2004, c.121).

The Commission's function is to: examine the New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project with respect to the 2005 election of General Assembly members; review and recommend criteria for selecting districts for the 2007 pilot project; provide information to candidates seeking nomination for election to the Senate or General Assembly on the seed money contribution amount and qualifying period for candidates seeking office of the Senate; provide information on the amount of money provided to candidates in a primary election for Senate or General Assembly; provide information on the criteria for selecting legislative districts to participate in the 2007 pilot project; determine the feasibility of establishing the New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project as the public financing system for candidates for Senate and General Assembly; examine the means by which to finance the New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project; and consider such other matters relating to the issue of "clean elections" and campaign finance as the members of the commission deem appropriate.

The Commission must issue a preliminary report to the Legislature on the pilot project with respect to the 2005 general election no later than the 90th day following the day of that election; and issue a final report to the Legislature on its findings and recommendations relative to the pilot project with respect to the 2005 general election, including, but not limited to, any suggestions for changes in the project for the 2007 primary and general election. The commission expires on the 180th day following the day it issues its final report.

Commission Members