reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-25 - Severability

19:44A-25. Severability
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or other part of this act is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this act, but shall be confined in its effect to the section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or other part of this act directly involved in the controversy in which said judgment shall have been rendered.
L.1973, c. 83, s. 25, eff. April 24, 1973.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-26 - Repeals

19:44A-26. Repeals
The following acts or parts of acts are repealed.
a. R.S. 19:3-8, 19:34-36 and 19:34-37.
b. Chapters 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes.
c. P.L.1946, c. 152 (C. 19:41-4.1 and 19:41-4.2).
L.1973, c. 83, s. 26, eff. April 24, 1973.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-27 - Public policy.

19:44A-27 Public policy.
2. It is hereby declared to be a compelling public interest and to be the policy of this State that primary election campaigns for the office of Governor and general election campaigns for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be financed with public support pursuant to the provisions of this act. It is the intention of this act that such financing be adequate in amount so that candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor may conduct their campaigns free from improper influence and so that persons of limited financial means may seek election to the State's highest office.
L.1974, c.26, s.2; amended 1980, c.74, s.3; 2009, c.66, s.15.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-27.1 - Ineligibility of certain candidates for public financing.

19:44A-27.1 Ineligibility of certain candidates for public financing.
1. Whenever an individual who formed, assisted in the formation of, or was involved in any way in the management of:
an issue advocacy organization organized under section 527 of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s.527);
an organization organized under paragraph (4) of subsection (c) of section 501 of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s.501); or
an organization organized under any other current or future section of the federal Internal Revenue Code which the Election Law Enforcement Commission determines is similar to any of the organizations described above;
becomes a candidate for the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor, those candidates shall be ineligible to receive public financing for the candidate's campaign, pursuant to P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-27 et seq.), unless the organization agrees to disclose the name of each of its contributors and the amount of each contribution and expenditure from the date occurring four years prior to the date the individual becomes a candidate for the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor through the date that the candidate ceases to be a candidate.
L.2001, c.20, s.1; amended 2009, c.66, s.16.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-27.2 - Rules, regulations concerning disclosures and organization

19:44A-27.2. Rules, regulations concerning disclosures and organization
2. The Election Law Enforcement Commission shall adopt rules and regulations: a. to enable an organization described in section 1 of P.L.2001, c.20 (C.19:44A-27.1) to make the required disclosures; and b. to determine, pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2001, c.20 (C.19:44A-27.1), which organizations organized under any other current or future section of the federal Internal Revenue Code are similar to those specifically described in section 1.
L.2001,c.20,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-28 - Application of act.

19:44A-28 Application of act.
3. The provisions of this act shall apply to the general election campaign for the office of Governor to be held in November, 1977 and to all subsequent primary election campaigns for the office of Governor and general election campaigns for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, except that the provisions of this act shall not apply to any primary election campaign for the office of Governor or general election campaign for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor for which the Legislature fails to make an appropriation.
L.1974, c.26, s.3; amended 1980, c.74, s.4; 2009, c.66, s.17.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-29.1 - Limits on contributions, expenditures.

19:44A-29.1 Limits on contributions, expenditures.
6. For the purpose of contribution and expenditure limits established pursuant to P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-1 et seq.), limits on contributions to and expenditures of the joint candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be considered and treated as contributions to and expenditures of one candidate and those two candidates shall establish only one candidate committee.
L.2009, c.66, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-30 - Appropriations for fund for election campaign expenses.

19:44A-30 Appropriations for fund for election campaign expenses.
5. The Legislature shall appropriate to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission out of the Gubernatorial Elections Fund established pursuant to N.J.S.54A:9-25.1 and available for appropriation from the fund, and, if necessary, out of the General Treasury of the State such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this act, which sums shall constitute a fund for campaign expenses for the primary election to the office of Governor and the general election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, in such amounts or proportions as the Legislature shall direct the appropriation to be distributed between each of the two elections, to be regulated and distributed by the commission pursuant to this act. Upon notice by the commission, the Legislature shall appropriate to the commission out of the General Treasury such additional sums as may be required to carry out the purposes of this act if the sums first appropriated become inadequate.
L.1974, c.26, s.5; amended 1980, c.74, s.6; 2009, c.66, s.19.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-32 - Primary and general election bank accounts of candidates; deposits; expenditures; nonliability of banks.

19:44A-32 Primary and general election bank accounts of candidates; deposits; expenditures; nonliability of banks.
7. a. Each candidate in the primary election to the office of Governor, shall, with the approval of the Election Law Enforcement Commission, create a bank account in a National or State bank. The candidate, his campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer shall deposit promptly into the account all moneys received pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-29) and sections 11 and 12 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-11 and 19:44A-12).
b. Candidates in the general election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall, with the approval of the Election Law Enforcement Commission, create an account in a National or State bank. The candidates, their campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer shall deposit promptly into the account all moneys received for the purpose of the election, provided that the moneys are received pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-29) and sections 11 and 12 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-11 and 19:44A-12).
c. Immediately after deposit in the bank account the candidates or their campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer may transfer or expend the moneys, except that no moneys deposited in a gubernatorial candidate's bank account for the primary election may be expended for any general election expenses for candidates for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and except that no moneys deposited in the candidates' bank account for the general election may be transferred or expended until the day following the primary election or may be expended for primary election expenses.
d. No State or National bank which acts as a depository for election funds as provided in this act shall be held accountable for the proper application of funds withdrawn, transferred or expended from such accounts by the person or persons in whose name or names the accounts are opened or maintained, nor shall the State or National bank be under any duty to determine whether the funds deposited in the account are withdrawn, transferred or expended for the purposes and at the time or times prescribed by law, or are received from sources and in amounts prescribed or limited by law.
L.1974, c.26, s.7; amended 1980, c.74, s.7; 2009, c.66, s.20.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-33 - Public funding.

19:44A-33 Public funding.
8. a. The campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer of any qualified candidate for nomination for election to the office of Governor in a primary election upon application to the commission shall promptly receive in behalf of the qualified candidate from the fund for election campaign expenses, but not prior to January 1 of the year of the election, moneys in an amount equal to twice the amount of no more than $4,900 of each contribution deposited in the qualified candidate's primary election bank account described in section 7 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-32), except that no payment shall be made from the fund to any candidate for the first $156,000 deposited in the qualified candidate's bank account. The maximum amount which any qualified candidate for nomination for election to the office of Governor in a primary election may receive from the fund for election campaign expenses shall not exceed $4,600,000. Applications for payments and payments under this subsection following the date on which a candidate is determined to be a qualified candidate shall be made only on the basis of no less than $12,500.00 of such contributions.
b. The campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer of any qualified candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor in a general election upon application to the commission shall promptly receive in behalf of such qualified candidates from the fund for election campaign expenses, but not prior to the primary election, moneys in an amount equal to twice the amount of no more than $4,900 of each contribution deposited in such qualified candidates' bank account described in section 7 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-32), except that no payment shall be made from the fund to any candidates for the first $156,000 deposited in such qualified candidates' bank account.
The maximum amount which any qualified candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor in a general election may receive from the fund for election campaign expenses shall not exceed $10,500,000. Applications for payments and payments under this subsection following the date on which joint candidates are determined to be qualified candidates shall be made only on the basis of no less than $12,500.00 of such contributions.
L.1974, c.26, s.8; amended 1980, c.74, s.8; 1989, c.4, s.6; 2009, c.66, s.21; 2023, c.30, s.23.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-33.1 - Substituted candidates for nomination for Governor, eligibility as qualified candidate

19:44A-33.1. Substituted candidates for nomination for Governor, eligibility as qualified candidate
5. In the event that a certificate provided for in R.S.19:23-12 is filed for a candidate for nomination for election to the office of Governor, the candidate nominated in the certificate shall: (a) be given, on an accelerated basis determined by the Election Law Enforcement Commission, the opportunity to become a qualified candidate as defined in subsection m. of section 3 of P.L.1973, c. 83 (C.19:44A-3) for the primary election; (b) if the candidate so nominated becomes a qualified candidate, be eligible to receive the maximum amount from the fund for election campaign expenses, as provided by law, which any other qualified candidate may be eligible to receive for the primary election pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33), regardless of the amount from that fund received and expended by the candidate for whom the substitution has been made; (c) participate in the gubernatorial primary election debates held pursuant to sections 9 through 11 of P.L.1989, c.4 (C.19:44A-45 et seq.); and (d) fulfill any of the other responsibilities required of a qualified candidate, as provided for in P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-1 et seq.), P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-27 et al.) or any other applicable rule or regulation derived therefrom. The candidate for whom the substitution was made by the certificate of nomination to fill the vacancy shall pay into the fund for election campaign expenses moneys received from the fund and not otherwise used to pay expenses which were incurred for the purposes permitted during the election campaign.
L.2001,c.73,s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-34 - Separate bank accounts for other funds; disposition of contributions of political committees

19:44A-34. Separate bank accounts for other funds; disposition of contributions of political committees
a. No contribution which must be or is intended by the contributor or the recipient to be refunded or repaid at any time, no loan obtained pursuant to section 19 of P.L.1974, c. 26 (C. 19:44A-44), no amount of the candidate's own funds in the aggregate in excess of $800.00, and no other moneys received by the candidate, his campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer, except those contributions described in subsections a. and b. of section 4 of P.L.1974, c. 26 (C. 19:44A-29), shall be deposited into any candidate's primary election and general election bank accounts described in section 7 of P.L.1974, c. 26 (C. 19:44A-32), but shall be deposited in separate bank accounts from which expenditures for the respective campaigns may be made.
b. No contribution by any county committee or municipal committee of any political party shall be deposited into any candidate's bank accounts. A State committee may forward to a candidate and have deposited into the candidate's general election bank account described in section 7 of P.L.1974, c. 26 (C. 19:44A-32) money in aid of the candidacy of or in behalf of such candidate received pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1974, c. 26 (C. 19:44A-29) and sections 11 and 12 of P.L.1973, c. 83 (C. 19:44A-11 and 19:44A-12).
L.1974, c. 26, s. 9, eff. May 6, 1974. Amended by L.1980, c. 74, s. 9, eff. July 23, 1980.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-35 - Expenditures from fund for election campaign expenses; rules and regulations; purposes; return of unexpended funds

19:44A-35. Expenditures from fund for election campaign expenses; rules and regulations; purposes; return of unexpended funds
a. All expenditures from the fund for election campaign expenses shall be made pursuant to rules and regulations of the Election Law Enforcement Commission and shall be strictly limited to the following purposes:
(1) Purchase of time on radio and television stations;
(2) Purchase of rental space on outdoor signs or billboards;
(3) Purchase of advertising space in newspapers and regularly published magazines and periodicals;
(4) Payment of the cost of producing the material aired or displayed on radio, television, outdoor signs or billboards, and in newspapers, regularly published magazines and periodicals;
(5) Payment of the cost of printing and mailing campaign literature and brochures distributed under the name of any qualified candidate;
(6) Payment of the cost of legal and accounting expenses incurred in complying with the public financing regulations of the Election Law Enforcement Commission and with the public financing provisions of P.L.1974, c. 26 (C. 19:44A-27 et seq.);
(7) Payment of the cost of telephone deposits, and installation charges and monthly billings in excess of deposits. Within 6 months after the primary and general elections, respectively, a candidate shall return to the fund the amount of any public funds used to pay such telephone deposits which are later returned.
b. The limitations in subsection a. of this section upon expenditures from the fund for election campaign expenses shall not apply to expenditures of private contributions, whether or not such private contributions were deposited in a candidate's bank accounts pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1974, c. 26 (C. 19:44A-32).
c. Moneys received by a qualified candidate from the fund for election campaign expenses may be retained for a period not exceeding 6 months after the election for which such moneys were received in order to liquidate all obligations to pay expenses for the purposes permitted by this section which were incurred during the election campaign. All obligations having been liquidated, all moneys remaining available to any qualified candidate, shall be paid into the fund, except that no candidate shall pay into the fund moneys in excess of moneys received from the fund.
L.1974, c. 26, s. 10, eff. May 6, 1974. Amended by L.1980, c. 74, s. 10, eff. July 23, 1980.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-36 - Funds considered "spend in aid of the candidacy of any candidate or candidates."

19:44A-36 Funds considered "spend in aid of the candidacy of any candidate or candidates."
11. Moneys received by any qualified candidate or candidates from the fund for election campaign expenses are to be considered "spent in aid of the candidacy of any candidate or candidates" for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor for the purpose of section 7 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-7). The Election Law Enforcement Commission shall not withdraw from the fund for election campaign expenses any sum, which results in a candidate's exceeding the limitations of that section.
L.1974, c.26, s.11; amended 1980, c.74, s.11; 2009, c.66, s.22.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-37 - Statements from gubernatorial candidates; posting on websites.

19:44A-37 Statements from gubernatorial candidates; posting on websites.
12. The Election Law Enforcement Commission shall, on or before the forty-fifth day prior to the date on which the general election is to be held, supply each county clerk with the text of statements from each candidate for election to the office of Governor. Each candidate for the office of Governor who wishes a statement to be posted on the county clerk's website on his behalf shall submit to the commission, on forms provided by it, his proposed statement which shall not exceed 500 words in length. Each county clerk shall cause the statements submitted by all such candidates to be posted on the county clerk's website in a conspicuous location and available as a hardcopy upon request, with a short explanation prepared by the commission that such statements are provided pursuant to this law to assist the voters of this State in making their determination among the candidates for the office of Governor. The statements shall also be posted in a conspicuous location on the websites of the Division of Elections and the Election Law Enforcement Commission.
The sample ballot shall note that gubernatorial statements are available upon request to the county clerk, on the county clerk's website and the websites of the Division of Elections and the Election Law Enforcement Commission.
The cost of posting such statements shall be paid for by the counties; except that any cost to the counties resulting from the posting of such statements shall be reimbursed from State funds appropriated to the commission for that purpose on claim therefor made by the county clerk to the commission.
L.1974, c.26, s.12; amended 1980, c.74, s.12; 2017, c.177.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-40 - Violations; misdemeanor; forfeiture of office

19:44A-40. Violations; misdemeanor; forfeiture of office
a. Any person who willfully and knowingly violates section 4, 9 or 10 of P.L.1974, c. 26 or section 17 of P.L.1980, c. 74 (C. 19:44A-18.1) is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
b. The election to office of any candidate who is guilty of any violation within the description of subsection a. of this section shall be void, and the office shall be filled as required by law in the case of a vacancy; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed in derogation of the constitutional authority of either House of the Legislature to be the judge of the election and qualification of its own members.
L.1974, c. 26, s. 15, eff. May 6, 1974. Amended by L.1980, c. 74, s. 14, eff. July 23, 1980; L.1981, c. 511, s. 13, eff. Jan. 12, 1982.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-41 - Violations; fines; hearings; assessment of penalty

19:44A-41. Violations; fines; hearings; assessment of penalty
a. Any person who willfully and knowingly violates sections 4, 6, 9, 10 or 19 of this act shall in addition to any other penalty provided by law, be liable to a penalty of not more than $1,000.00 for the first offense and not more than $2,000.00 for the second and each subsequent offense.
b. Upon receiving evidence of any violation of sections 4, 6, 9, 10 or 19 of this act, the Election Law Enforcement Commission shall have power to hold, or to cause to be held under the provisions of subsection d. of this section, hearings upon such violation and, upon finding any person to have committed such a violation, to assess such penalty, within the limits prescribed in subsection a. of this section, as it deems proper under the circumstances, which penalty shall be paid forthwith into the State Treasury for the general purposes of the State. Such penalty shall be enforceable in a summary proceeding under the "Penalty Enforcement Law" (N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.).
c. In assessing any penalty under this section, the Election Law Enforcement Commission may provide for the remission of all or any part of such penalty conditioned upon the prompt correction of any failure, neglect, error or omission constituting the violation for which said penalty was assessed.
d. The commission may designate a hearing officer to hear complaints of violations of this act. Such hearing officer shall take testimony, compile a record and make factual findings, and shall submit the same to the commission, which shall have power to assess penalties within the limits and under the conditions prescribed in subsection b. of this section. The commission shall review the record and findings of the hearing officer, but it may also seek such additional testimony as it deems necessary. The commission's determination shall be by majority vote of the entire authorized membership thereof.
L.1974, c. 26, s. 16, eff. May 6, 1974.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-43 - Severability

19:44A-43. Severability
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or other part of this act is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this act, but shall be confined in its effect to the section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or other part of this act directly involved in the controversy in which said judgment shall have been rendered.
L.1974, c. 26, s. 18, eff. May 6, 1974.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-44 - Borrowing by candidates.

19:44A-44 Borrowing by candidates.
19. Notwithstanding any provision of this act, any candidate in a primary election for the office of Governor, or his campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer, or any candidate in a general election for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, or the campaign treasurer or deputy treasurer thereof may borrow funds from any national or State bank. No person or political committee, other than the candidates or the State committee of any political party in a general election, may in any way endorse or guarantee such loan in an amount in the aggregate in excess of $1,500.00. The endorsement shall constitute a contribution for so long as the loan is outstanding. The amount borrowed by any such candidates or their campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer shall in the aggregate not exceed $50,000.00 and must be repaid in full by such candidate or the campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer from moneys accepted or allocated pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-29) 20 days prior to the date of the primary or general election for which the loan was made, and certification of such repayment shall be made by the borrower to the Election Law Enforcement Commission in accordance with commission regulations.
Upon the failure of the borrower to repay the full amount borrowed on or before the 20th day prior to the date of the primary election for the office of Governor or general election for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, or to certify such repayment to the Election Law Enforcement Commission as required herein, all payments of moneys to such candidates from the fund for election campaign expenses pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33) shall promptly cease; and the Election Law Enforcement Commission shall forthwith seek and may obtain in a summary action in the Superior Court an injunction prohibiting the expenditure by any such candidate or candidates of any moneys received at any time from the fund for election campaign expenses pursuant to said section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33), and any other moneys received in aid of or in behalf of the candidates in said election.
L.1974, c.26, s.19; amended 1980, c.74, s.15; 1989, c.4, s.7; 2009, c.66, s.24.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-45 - Interactive debates.

19:44A-45 Interactive debates.
9. a. In any year in which a primary election is to be held to nominate candidates for the office of Governor, there shall be held among the several candidates for each such nomination a series of interactive gubernatorial primary debates, in which all "qualified candidates," as defined by paragraph (3) or paragraph (4) of subsection m. of section 3 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-3), for that nomination who have applied or who intend to apply to receive money for election campaign expenses under subsection a. of section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33) shall participate, and in which any other candidate for that nomination who has deposited and expended the amount necessary, under paragraph (3) or paragraph (4) of subsection m. of section 3 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-3), to be deemed a "qualified candidate" may elect to participate, provided that other candidate notifies the Election Law Enforcement Commission of the candidate's intent to so participate within the time allowed under those paragraphs for such notification to be made by candidates wishing to become qualified candidates; except that in any year in which no such candidate or only one such candidate for that nomination is required or elects to participate, no gubernatorial primary debate shall be required to be held under this subsection.
b. In any year in which a general election is to be held for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, there shall be held a series of interactive gubernatorial election debates, in which all "qualified candidates," as defined by paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of subsection m. of section 3 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-3), for election to those offices who have applied or who intend to apply to receive money for election campaign expenses under subsection b. of section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33) shall participate, and in which any other candidates for election to those offices who have deposited and expended the amount necessary, under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of subsection m. of section 3 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-3), to be deemed a "qualified candidate" may elect to participate, provided those other candidates notify the Election Law Enforcement Commission of the candidates' intent to so participate within the time allowed under those paragraphs for such notification to be made by candidates wishing to become qualified candidates; except that in any gubernatorial election year in which only one pair of candidates, or no candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor are required or elect to participate, no gubernatorial election debate shall be required to be held under this subsection.
L.1989, c.4, s.9; amended 2009, c.66, s.25.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44A-47 - Repayment by debate non-participant.

19:44A-47 Repayment by debate non-participant.
11. The Election Law Enforcement Commission shall have the power and duty, upon receipt of a complaint against a candidate for nomination for election for the office of Governor or for election for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor who is required to participate in gubernatorial primary debates or gubernatorial election debates, respectively, to hold a hearing to determine whether that candidate has failed to participate in such debates. If, at the conclusion of a hearing under this section, the commission determines by majority vote that a candidate required to participate under section 10 of this 1989 amendatory and supplementary act has failed to do so, the chairman shall immediately inform the candidate in writing of that determination, identifying in that writing the date and circumstances of the failure. If, after having found that a candidate required to participate in a gubernatorial primary or gubernatorial election debate has failed to do so, the commission further finds that the failure occurred under circumstances which were beyond the control of the candidate and of such a nature that a reasonable person, taking into account the purposes of this act and the relevant facts of the case, would find the failure justifiable or excusable, then the candidate shall not be subject to any penalty or liability for his failure to participate. The candidate charged with the failure to participate shall have the burden of showing justification or excuse.
The campaign of any candidate or former candidate who shall have been required to participate in a gubernatorial primary debate or gubernatorial election debate under this 1989 amendatory and supplementary act, but who shall have been found to have failed to do so without reasonable justification or excuse, shall be liable for return of moneys previously received for use by the candidate to pay primary election campaign expenses or general election campaign expenses, respectively. In the case of a candidate for election to the office of Lieutenant Governor who is found to have failed to participate in a gubernatorial election debate, the candidate for election to the office of Governor shall jointly be liable for return of one half of the moneys previously received for use by the joint candidates to pay general election expenses. The commission shall determine the total amount of moneys for election campaign expenses in that year by the commission to the candidate or candidates under subsection a. or subsection b. of section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33), as appropriate, and shall notify the campaign treasurer or the deputy campaign treasurer of the candidate or candidates of the liability of the campaign of the candidate or candidates, as of the date of the notice, for the repayment of those moneys plus interest on the unpaid amount of that liability from that date at the rate of 1% for each month or fractional part of a month during which that amount remains unpaid.
L.1989, c.4, s.11; amended 2009, c.66, s.27.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44B-1 - Definitions.

19:44B-1 Definitions.
1. a. "Gift" means any money or thing of value received other than as income, and for which a consideration of equal or greater value is not received, but does not include any political contribution reported as otherwise required by law, any loan made in the ordinary course of business, or any devise, bequest, intestate estate distribution or principal distribution of a trust or gift received from a member of a person's household or from a relative within the third degree of consanguinity of the person or his spouse, or from the spouse of that relative;
b. "Income" means any money or thing of value received, or to be received, as a claim on future services, whether in the form of a fee, expense, allowance, forbearance, forgiveness, interest, dividend, royalty, rent, capital gain, or any other form of recompense, or any combination thereof;
c. "Member of household" means the spouse of a candidate for the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor or of a candidate for the Senate or General Assembly residing in the same domicile and any dependent children.
L.1981, c.129, s.1; amended 2009, c.66, s.28.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44B-2 - Financial disclosure statement; filing and certification.

19:44B-2 Financial disclosure statement; filing and certification.
2. a. Every candidate for the office of Governor and every candidate for the Senate or General Assembly shall file and certify the correctness of a financial disclosure statement on or before the tenth day following the last day for filing a petition to appear on the ballot, and the financial disclosure statement shall be filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety.
b. Every candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor shall file and certify the correctness of a financial disclosure statement on or before the 30th day following the day such candidate is selected by the candidate for the office of Governor of the same political party, and the financial disclosure statement shall be filed with the commission.
L.1981, c.129, s.2; amended 2009, c.66, s.29.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44B-3 - Forms; preparation; transmittal to candidates.

19:44B-3 Forms; preparation; transmittal to candidates.
3. The commission shall prepare and transmit to each candidate for the office of Governor and the office of Lieutenant Governor and to each candidate for the Senate or General Assembly forms for the filing of financial disclosure statements required by this act.
L.1981, c.129, s.3; amended 2009, c.66, s.30.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44B-4 - Contents

19:44B-4. Contents
Financial disclosure statements shall include the sources of income received from sources other than the State during the preceding calendar year by the candidate and members of his household. Without disclosing the amounts of income, gifts, reimbursements, and holdings, the statements shall include the following:
a. Each of the following categories of earned income totalling more than $1,000.00: salaries, bonuses, royalties, fees, commissions and profit sharing received as an officer, employee, partner or consultant of a named corporation, professional association, partnership or sole proprietorship;
b. Each of the following categories of unearned income totalling more than $1,000.00: rents, dividends and other income received from named investments, trusts and estates;
c. Fees and honorariums totalling more than $100.00 received from named payers for personal appearances, speeches or writings;
d. Reimbursements totalling more than $100.00 for travel, subsistence or facilities provided in kind received from named payers or providers other than the State, any political subdivision thereof, a principal employer, or a nonprofit organization;
e. Gifts having a value totalling more than $250.00 received from named donors; and
f. Ownership, holding, or control of an interest in any land or building in any city in which casino gambling is authorized, which land or building shall be specified.
L.1981, c. 129, s. 4, eff. May 1, 1981.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44B-5 - Notice to commission of candidates by Secretary of State.

19:44B-5 Notice to commission of candidates by Secretary of State.
5. Upon receipt from any person of a declaration of candidacy or a petition to appear on the ballot for election as Governor or as Lieutenant Governor, or as a member of the Legislature, the Secretary of State shall, within 2 days of the receipt, notify the commission of the name and address of the candidate and the date of the receipt.
L.1981, c.129, c.5; amended 2009, c.66, s.31.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44B-6 - Willful and knowledgeable failure to file or filing false statement; penalty

19:44B-6. Willful and knowledgeable failure to file or filing false statement; penalty
a. A candidate who willfully and knowingly fails or refuses to file a financial disclosure statement on a date prior to the election for which he has filed a declaration of candidacy or a petition to appear on the ballot shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
b. A candidate who willfully and knowingly files any financial disclosure statement which is false, inaccurate or incomplete in any substantial and material manner or particular, shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
L.1981, c. 129, s. 6, eff. May 1, 1981.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44B-7 - Powers and duties of commission

19:44B-7. Powers and duties of commission
It shall be the duty of the commission to investigate and conduct hearings with regard to possible violations and impose penalties, to issue subpenas for the production of documents and the attendance of witnesses, and to enforce the provisions of this act in the manner set forth in "The New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act," P.L.1973, c. 83 (C. 19:44A-1 et seq.). The commission shall have the authority to initiate a civil action in the Superior Court of New Jersey or in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing compliance with the provisions of this act or enjoining violations thereof or recovering any penalty prescribed by this act. The commission shall promulgate such regulations and official forms and perform such duties as are necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
L.1981, c. 129, s. 7, eff. May 1, 1981.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44B-8 - Candidate with responsibility for filing reports or documents; failure to file or omission in or incorrect statement; penalty; hearings; enforcement

19:44B-8. Candidate with responsibility for filing reports or documents; failure to file or omission in or incorrect statement; penalty; hearings; enforcement
a. Any candidate charged with the responsibility under the terms of this act for the filing of any reports or other documents required to be filed pursuant to this act who fails, neglects or omits to file any such report or document at the time and in the manner prescribed by law, or who omits or incorrectly states any of the information required by law to be included in such report or document, shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, be liable to a penalty of not more than $1,000.00 for the first offense and not more than $2,000.00 for the second and each subsequent offense.
b. Upon receiving evidence of any violation of this section, the Election Law Enforcement Commission shall have power to hold, or to cause to be held, hearings upon such violation and, upon finding any person to have committed such a violation, to assess such penalty, within the limits prescribed in subsection a. of this section, as it deems proper under the circumstance which penalty shall be paid forthwith into the State Treasury for the general purposes of the State. Such penalty shall be enforceable in a summary proceeding under the "Penalty Enforcement Law" (N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.).
c. In assessing any penalty under this section, the Election Law Enforcement Commission may provide for the remission of all or any part of the penalty conditioned upon the prompt correction of any failure, neglect, error or omission constituting the violation for which the penalty was assessed, provided the correction is made on a date prior to the election for which the candidate has filed a declaration of candidacy or petition to appear on the ballot.
L.1981, c. 129, s. 8, eff. May 1, 1981.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44B-9 - Financial disclosure statements as public records

19:44B-9. Financial disclosure statements as public records
Financial disclosure statements required to be filed pursuant to this act shall be public records. The commission shall make the statements available to any person upon written request. The statements shall be available for examination and copying during the normal business hours of the commission. No fee shall be charged for the inspection of the statements, but a fee, equal to the cost of copying, may be charged for the use of equipment to copy the statements and a reasonable charge may be imposed for the performance of copying services by personnel of the commission when the person desiring copies requests that assistance.
L.1981, c. 129, s. 9, eff. May 1, 1981.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:44B-10 - Use in investigations and production in evidence

19:44B-10. Use in investigations and production in evidence
A financial disclosure statement filed pursuant to this act may be used by the commission in the course of its investigation of any alleged violation of provisions of this act and may be produced as evidence in any hearing conducted by the commission concerning a violation.
L.1981, c. 129, s. 10, eff. May 1, 1981.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:45-1 - Payable by state and political subdivisions

19:45-1. Payable by state and political subdivisions
All general elections, special elections, municipal elections, primary elections for general elections and primary elections for delegates and alternates to national conventions held in the state or in any of its political subdivisions shall be conducted at the expense of the state or its political subdivisions.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:45-1.1 - State to pay all expenses

19:45-1.1. State to pay all expenses
Notwithstanding the provisions in chapter 45 of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes to the contrary, the State shall pay all expenses incurred by any of its political subdivisions in connection with any special election held for the purpose of filling a vacancy occurring in the Senate or General Assembly. When such a special election has been held, the Secretary of State shall notify all affected political subdivisions that the State shall pay all expenses incurred in connection with that election.
L. 1981, c.429, s. 7; amended by L. 1987, c. 253, s. 1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:45-2 - Expenses borne by State

19:45-2. Expenses borne by State
All costs, charges and expenses incurred by the State Board of Canvassers, Secretary of State or any other officer or official of the State government in carrying out any provisions of this Title shall be paid by the State.
Amended by L. 1987, c. 151, s. 1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:45-3 - Expenditures by attorney general to prosecute violations of title

19:45-3. Expenditures by attorney general to prosecute violations of title
The attorney general is hereby authorized to expend annually, under the direction and with the approval of the governor, a sum not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars, for the purpose of securing evidence of violations of this title and assisting in the prosecution of such violations, when such sum shall be regularly appropriated in any annual or supplemental appropriation bill.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:45-4 - County's expenses

19:45-4. County's expenses
All costs, charges and expenses incurred by the county clerk, county board, commissioner, superintendent, or any other officer or official of a county in carrying out the provisions of this title and the salaries of the members of the county board, commissioner, superintendent, salaries and compensation for extra service of the clerk and other employees of the county board and the compensation of the members of the district boards, except as herein otherwise provided, shall be paid by the county upon certification by the county clerk, county board, commissioner, superintendent or other county officer or official; but the board of chosen freeholders of any county, to facilitate the prompt payment of the compensation of members of district boards and the rental of polling places, is authorized to pay to the several municipal clerks in the county one payment for the gross amount due for such compensation and rentals in the municipality and direct the municipal clerks to pay the individual amounts due the members of the district boards and the lessors of the polling places in the municipality upon the proper certification of the county board. Where any municipality may provide voting machines there shall be paid by the county to such municipality the difference between the costs, charges and expenses incurred and the costs, charges and expenses which would have been incurred had such voting machines not been provided by such municipality, including the saving in rental of polling places and in compensation paid to members of district boards resulting from consolidation of or reduction in number of election districts, and including the saving resulting from the payment of a lesser rate of compensation to members of district boards where such machines are provided by the municipality.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:45-5 - Municipality's expenses

19:45-5. Municipality's expenses
All costs, charges and expenses incurred by the municipal clerk or any other officer or official of a municipality in carrying out the provisions of this title shall be paid by such municipality except as herein otherwise provided.
Where any election is held in and for a municipality only, all costs, charges and expenses, including the compensation of the members of the district boards of the municipality and the compensation and expenses of the county board and the clerk thereof, for such elections, shall be paid by the municipality.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Elections › Section 19:45-6.1 - Voucher for compensation

19:45-6.1. Voucher for compensation
A voucher for compensation for services rendered by members of any district board of elections in this State for performing any of the services mentioned in section 19:45-6 of the Revised Statutes shall be submitted to the respective county boards of elections on a form prepared by said county boards of elections. This form shall contain a written declaration to be signed by the individual members of the district board of elections, in lieu of any requirement elsewhere for an oath or affirmation, in which such district board members shall state "I hereby declare under the penalties for false swearing that this voucher is for services performed by me for the election herein mentioned and to the best of my knowledge and belief is true, correct and complete."
Any individual who willfully makes and subscribes any such voucher which he or she does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Upon certification by the county board of elections as correct such vouchers shall be paid by the county treasurer in the manner provided in section 19:45-4 et seq. of the Revised Statutes.
L.1952, c. 62, p. 384, s. 1.