Mercer's election mayhem

From: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook - Friday Nov 11,2022 11:55 am

Nov 11, 2022

Presented by AARP New Jersey

Good Friday morning!

Is Trenton government’s dysfunction contagious to the rest of Mercer County? For the second year in a row, Mercer had the most serious Election Day problems in the state. Not only did they run into an election machine snafu on Tuesday, some of the ballots didn't make it to the Board of Elections, where they were to be counted.

As of Thursday morning, ballots from three districts in Princeton and one district in Robbinsville were unaccounted for. Elections officials scrambled to get a court order and search warehoused voting machines for missing ballots. By late afternoon, they had been located, according to the mayors of both towns. Princeton Mayor Mark Freda said he wasn’t sure if officials found the ballots in the machines, and Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried said he believes his town’s were at the Board of Elections office but had been overlooked.

By the way, if you’re entertaining conspiracy theories about Democrats rigging the election and aren’t assuaged by the fact that New Jersey’s election counters are by law bipartisan, then you should consider that losing votes in an extremely progressive college town isn’t a great way to cheat.

Last year, Mercer had problems counting ballots slowly. And then it faced a software bug that reported differing totals between voters who signed in and ballots that were cast all around Trenton. Now, elected officials are talking about a county election administration makeover.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE’S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 278

TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Barry Kushnir, Brian Nelson, Mike Strada. Saturday for Mikhail Varshavski. Sunday for Robert Garrison, Juan Melli, David Turner. Missed yesterday: Harris Laufer

WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Holmdel for an 11 a.m. Veterans Day ceremony

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “There was a misjudgment made after the closeness of the governor’s election about our prospects in the midterms … We should have and could have held onto all of these seats.” — U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski on his redistricting sacrifice by Democrats.

A message from AARP New Jersey:

Caring for a parent, spouse or other older loved one can be financially and emotionally draining. Every day, family caregivers struggle to assist older loved ones often using money out of their own pockets. The average family caregiver spends about a quarter of their income on caregiving activities. That’s a huge burden. But NJ lawmakers can give family caregivers the relief they need by supporting the Caregiver’s Assistance Act (A1802/S2021). Tell lawmakers: support (A1802/S2021).

WHAT TRENTON MADE

MURPHY TESTS WATERS FOR GOP PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION — “ N.J. bear hunt returning soon as Murphy says he will end his ban ,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matt Arco: “Gov. Phil Murphy has reversed course on a years-long promise to end the state’s annual bear hunt, clearing the way for it to resume as early as next month, he told NJ Advance Media on Thursday. Murphy is expected to rescind an executive order that banned bear hunts on state property and the New Jersey Fish and Game Council will meet next week to allow it in designated areas bear hunting could be allowed.

"Citing an extreme increase in sightings and predictions from wildlife officials of an explosion in the bear population within the next couple of years, Murphy said his decision is ‘not an easy one’ but the only option to keep people safe. ‘This is one of these calls where if we’re true to ourselves that we make decisions based on the facts, which we have been passionate about from day one, we sadly have no choice but to take this step,’ Murphy said in a phone interview. ‘I feel awful,’ he said. ‘But I can’t violate what are obvious facts that are potentially undermining public safety, particularly among kids, I just can’t in good conscience go on in this direction.’”

— “ I will sue Murphy to stop looming bear hunt in N.J., [Lesniak] says ”

ALSSEMBLYMAN — Republicans ditch Rooney for Barlas in LD-40 , by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: North Jersey Republicans are ditching Assemblymember Kevin Rooney in favor of Essex County GOP Chair Al Barlas. Barlas has Republican support to run for an Assembly seat next year in the 40th District, according to an announcement Thursday by him, state Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-Passaic) and Assemblymember Chris DePhillips (R-Bergen). The statement made no mention of Rooney (R-Bergen), a six-year incumbent, suggesting the decision was made without his input. Over an hour after the statement was issued, Rooney issued a statement of his own saying he would retire.

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE THERE’S CONFLICTING POLL RESULTS — “ N.J. residents oppose banning smoking in casinos, opening them outside Atlantic City, poll shows ,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson: “The poll found 57% of voters support the current setup for smoking in Atlantic City casinos — allowing it in designated sections — while 29% back a complete ban and 12% say smoking should be allowed anywhere. That hasn’t changed much since FDU’s last poll on the subject, in 2009, which found 35% favored a full ban and 47% said smoking should be allowed it certain areas. But Thursday’s results clash with a Stockton University poll in May that found 62% of New Jersey adults support prohibiting smoking, while 31% were opposed and 6% were unsure.”

MEANWHILE THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN VILLAS IS PRAISING MURPHY — “ Veterans group blasts Murphy over scathing COVID inspection report at veterans home ,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “The Veterans of Foreign Wars blasted Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday following the release of a scathing inspection report this week that found allegations of abuse and lack of infection control to contain COVID-19 at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park, where more than 100 residents died from the virus. ‘The report strongly suggests that under Governor Murphy’s watch the conditions have not significantly improved since 2020 when our New Jersey veterans under his care died in the highest numbers,’ Jay Boxwell, the VFW's state commander, wrote in a news release. He said the Murphy administration ‘continues to care for our veterans as second-class citizens.’”

ADVOCATES CALL FOR REPORT TO BE TRANSLATED INTO 15 OTHER PLAIN LANGUAGES — “ Bill calls for plain English report on state’s financial health ,” NJ Spotlight News’ John Reitmeyer: “Lawmakers want the state auditor to begin highlighting publicly — and in plain language — some of New Jersey’s most important financial information, such as how much debt the state is carrying and how well prepared it is to weather a recession. A bipartisan bill that’s being touted by sponsors as a major fiscal transparency upgrade calls for key state financial data that is often overlooked in annual audits to instead be summarized online each year in a more user-friendly format. The same facts and figures and other important details about the state’s finances would also have to be presented by the state auditor in person each year during public hearings before lawmakers.”

SUPER TROOPERS — “ State Police trainers had disciplinary issues and skipped lessons on racial profiling, report says ,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: "The New Jersey State Police assigned troopers cited for disciplinary issues — some who had been suspended for driving while intoxicated, assault, and falsifying reports — as coaches to its new recruits, according to a new report by the Office of the State Comptroller. At the same time, the report also found that some instructors at the training academy skipped entire segments from courses mandated by the U.S. Justice Department under a consent decree that came after a racial profiling scandal that called into question the long-standing culture of the State Police."

—“ NJ Transit and PATH got $2.15B for projects 10 years ago. What’s been built? ”

—Stile: “ 6 election takeaways to shape New Jersey politics for next few years ”

— BPU hears second request to seize land for offshore wind cable

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BIDEN TIME

TURNOUT FOR WHAT? — “ Midterms? More like 'meh'-terms. NJ voter turnout sunk on Election Day 2022 ,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Mike Davis: “Barely 38% of New Jersey voters cast ballots in this year's midterm elections, the state's second-lowest turnout in a midterm election since 1998, according to preliminary election results from county clerks' offices. In Monmouth and Ocean counties, voters turned out at a higher rate: About 46% of Monmouth County voters actually cast ballots, as did 44% of Ocean County voters.”

HOW COULD YOU, AFTER ALL THE LOYALTY TRUMP HAS SHOWN YOU? — “ GOP losses prompt soul-searching among N.J. Republicans ,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo and Nikita Biryukov: “Ultimately, many agreed, Tuesday was a battle for the swing voters and more moderate Republicans who seem to have soured on the party’s growing extremism, Trump branding, and hard stance against abortion rights.’We didn’t get drubbed at all, but we didn’t do as well as we’d hoped and anticipated’ said Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth), who has served in the Legislature since 2008. ‘The Republican Party now needs to do some soul searching.’ … Numerous Republicans pointed to former President Donald Trump’s lingering presence to explain the party’s meager Election Day gains, saying his brand still turns independent voters away from the GOP.”

—“ Democratic map may be election’s big winner ”

—Mulshine: “ In Ocean County, it looks like it’s time for The Donald to wave goodbye ”

—“ Van Drew optimistic about GOP after his big win Tuesday; Alexander concedes ”

—“ Cape May County, Ocean City call for BPU to reject power line route for offshore wind ”

A message from AARP New Jersey:

LOCAL

TRENTON — “ Indications show a second term for Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora is likely ,” by The Trentonian’s John Berry: “Some mail-in and all provisional ballots are yet to be counted, but the county clerk told The Trentonian that current numbers posted on two separate county websites represent the total votes for early voting and early vote-by-mail on one page, and election day numbers on the other, presenting a record-low turnout in Trenton. Gusciora is likely to stroll into a second term with current numbers showing that he has 4,552 votes of the total 6,475 tallied, giving him about 70% of the vote. His main competition, Council President Kathy McBride has just 827 of those, for about 12.8%, Robin Vaughn, also a major critic of Gusciora for the past four-and-a-half years, clocks in at 560 votes or about 8.7%. Cherie Garrette, the only other candidate beside Gusciora to reply or show up to mayoral candidate events, ended up at the bottom of the list with 536 votes, roughly 8.2%.”

THAT’S JUST THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLES — “ Where did the Nabisco sign go? Fair Lawn landmark meets a 'disappointing' demise ,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “When the famed Nabisco factory in Fair Lawn closed last year, borough officials promised that they'd at least preserve the company sign that had towered over Route 208 for more than six decades. But that piece of local history also looks to be gone for good. The red letters that hung atop the building were destroyed recently when work crews tried to remove them, local officials and a developer said this week. ‘They removed them, and once they took them off, they kind of just all fell apart,’ Fair Lawn Mayor Kurt Peluso said in a phone interview. ‘They are not usable anymore.’ ‘Everyone was disappointed.’”

JAMES BONG 00420: THE WEED IS NOT ENOUGH — “ Citing equity concerns for the south side, Jersey City Council votes down dispensary cap ,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “The Jersey City Council voted down an ordinance on second reading to cap adult-use cannabis dispensaries at 55 citywide, with the majority of the governing body citing concerns about equity issues on the south side. ‘My concerns are that a lot of brothers went to jail for illegally selling cannabis. The brothers … are not having the wherewithal to do business,’ Phillip Carrington began during the public hearing, inquiring if people with a criminal record could obtain licenses … As several council members did at Monday’s caucus, Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley expressed that questions about equity remained unanswered. Therefore, she could not support the measure. ‘There’s still a lot of questions with this ordinance. We can’t necessarily tell people where to open them. This number 55, I don’t if this is the right number,’ she said.”

—“ Person dies after being hit by car in chase with [Marlboro] cops on [Old Bridge] highway, investigators say ”

—“ Will Seastreak Bayshore monopoly cost more? NY Waterway Belford ferry riders seek options ”

—“ This Paterson teacher is helping her students with an unusual problem: their grief ”

—“ [Long Hill] suspends Muslim police chief who said he intends to sue over racist comments ”

—“ [Pilesgrove] residents used a grassroots campaign to thwart a warehouse developer. They fear his return ”

—” Newark steps up pressure to delay Seton Hall's expansion plans over flooding concerns ”

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EVERYTHING ELSE

SYNAGOGUE THREAT — 18-year-old arrested in connection with 'broad threat' to New Jersey synagogues , by POLITICO’s Carly Sitrin: An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with last week’s “broad threat” to synagogues in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip Sellinger announced Thursday. Omar Alkattoul, of Sayreville, N.J., was arrested Thursday morning and charged with one count of “transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce,” according to a statement from Sellinger’s office. … Sellinger said in a statement that Alkattoul used social media to send a manifesto containing a threat to attack a synagogue based on his hatred of Jews.

A WOLF IN WOLFE’S CLOTHING — “ The dog whisperer: A service dog nonprofit promised miracles for kids in need. A N.J. probe found false claims, missing money ,” by Rebecca Everett for NJ.com: “ Eva needed $15,000 and an answer to her prayers. Her sweet, bespectacled 3-year-old was born with a genetic mutation that left him deaf, nonverbal and prone to meltdowns … The answer, she came to believe, was a dog — a service dog specially trained by New Jersey dog whisperer Janice Wolfe, even if it cost the equivalent of a compact car … Wolfe … leads Merlin’s Kids, a nonprofit providing dogs to veterans and children with special needs … It was the beginning of four years of hell for the fraying family. By 2021, Eva was done with the skittish dog despite raising more than $18,000 in all for it. It offered none of the assistance or support Wolfe promised besides sleeping with Zach, she said. And it certainly didn’t know sign language. But the dog did nip Zach’s face, arms and legs and repeatedly relieved himself in the house, Eva said … Over the past decade, the dog trainer and breeder of award-winning Rhodesian ridgebacks has left a number of disappointed families, frustrated students and bitter colleagues in her wake, a six-month NJ Advance Media investigation found.”

—“ Climate protesters block Teterboro Airport entrance, causing road closures ”

—“ 'We need allies': What NJ Jewish leaders want you to do about rising antisemitism ”

—“ 'Jersey's a very funny state': Behind the silly surrealism of Aqua Teen Hunger Force ”

—“ Netflix show 'The Watcher,' based on creepy Westfield home, renewed for season 2 ”

A message from AARP New Jersey:

Caring for a parent, spouse or other older loved one can be financially and emotionally draining. Every day, family caregivers struggle to assist loved ones often using money out of their own pockets. The average family caregiver spends about a quarter of their income on caregiving activities. Many take on debt or tap into savings to make sure their loved ones get the care they need. That’s a huge burden. And their sacrifices save the state and taxpayers money by keeping their loved ones out of costly nursing home facilities. New Jersey family caregivers provide more than $13 billion a year in unpaid care. It’s past time to give them some financial relief. NJ lawmakers can take action by supporting the Caregiver’s Assistance Act (A1802/S2021). This bill would provide a modest tax credit for family caregivers who pay for expensive care out of their own pockets. Tell lawmakers: support (A1802/S2021).

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