Case ID: nj-super_169/html/0063-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

JEAN E. MERRITT, PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT, v. FRANK A. HEADLEY, COUNTY CLERK OF MORRIS COUNTY, AND DOUGLAS H. ROMAINE, DEFENDANTS-RESPONDENTS.
    Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division
    Argued June 1, 1979
    June 1, 1979.
    
      Before Judges Halpern, Aed and Antell.
    
      Mr. Richard J. Traynor argued the cause for appellant.
    
      Mr. Clifford J. Weininger argued the cause for respondent Douglas H. Romaine.
    Respondent Frank A. Headley appeared pro se.
    
   Per Curiam.

The issue presented by appellant on this appeal is whether Art. IY, § Y, par. 4 of the New Jersey Constitution (1947) disqualifies respondent Douglas Romaine from being a primary candidate for the New Jersey General Assembly for the 23rd District because he is a Comipissioner of the Morris County Board of Taxation. The trial judge held that respondent was not disqualified from being a candidate. Because the primary election is scheduled for June 5, 1979, we accelerated the filing of briefs and heard oral argument of counsel on June 1, 1979. We now affirm.

Art. IY, § Y, par. 4, of the Constitution provides:

INELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN LEGISLATURE
No member of Congress, no person bolding any Federal or State office or position, of profit, and no judge of any court shall be entitled to a seat in tbe Legislature.

We construe this provision to mean that persons holding offices or positions within the purview of the ahove-quoted constitutional provision (as respondent admittedly does) are not barred from seeking election to the Legislature — rather, if elected to the Legislature, they automatically forfeit their prior offices or positions. See Reilly v. Ozzard, 33 N. J. 529, 538 (1963); De Feo v. Smith, 17 N. J. 183, 190 (1955); Kobylarz v. Mercer, 130 N. J. L. 44 (E. & A. 1942). See, also, the Attorney General’s Formal Opinions No. 10 dated April 24, 1975 and No. M75-2075 dated May 12, 1975.

Accordingly, we hold that respondent may be a candidate for the General Assembly from the 23rd District but, if elected, must resign as a Commissioner of the Morris County Board of Taxation before being sworn in and assuming his duties as an Assemblyman.

Affirmed.