SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 40

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 15, 1997

      The Senate State Government Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 40.

      This amendment to the Constitution reduces the number of signatures required on a petition seeking the recall of any elected public official in this State or representing this State in the Congress of the United States from at least 25% of the registered voters in the electoral district of the official sought to be recalled to a number equal to at least 25% of the registered voters in that electoral district who voted in the last preceding election at which the office of the official sought to be recalled was filled for a full term.

      The amendment also prohibits the recall of an official beginning six months prior to the election to be held for the next succeeding term of office of the official.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee adopted amendments proposed by the sponsor to provide that the recall shall be held upon petition of registered voters in the electoral district of the official sought to be recalled equal in number to at least 25% of the registered voters in that electoral district who voted in the last preceding election at which the office of the official sought to be recalled was filled for a full term.