New Jersey election law guarantees voters’ right to see the campaign finances of political candidates before an election. In a state where government corruption is rampant, election law requires political candidates to disclose campaign finances.
“The essence of Democracy is an informed electorate.”
– About ELEC
Election violations in Clinton Township
6 political candidates running for office in Clinton Township — out of 13 on the 2018 Clinton Township General Election Ballot — appear to be in violation of New Jersey Election Law. According to New Jersey’s public campaign database, they have not filed the required financial disclosures.
If they don’t bother to follow the law before they get elected, what are they going to do about “upholding the law” after they get elected to run our town and our schools?
Incumbents clearly don’t “know better”
4 of the political candidates who seem to be ignoring the law are incumbents — already in office, already managing over $113 million of public funds.
- Clinton Township has a budget of about $13 million.
- Clinton Township School District has a budget of about $30 million.
- North Hunterdon-Voorhees School District has a budget of about $60 million.
Voters are electing people to manage over $113 million of tax dollars. Do you hope they will bother to follow the law once they’re elected, if they’re not bothering to follow the law to get elected?
Which candidates seem to be in violation of New Jersey Election Law?
According to the ELEC database, which candidates appear to be in violation of New Jersey Election Laws? Listed in order of appearance on the 2018 Clinton Township General Election Ballot:
- Thomas Kochanowski (R) — Clinton Township Council (incumbent)
- Marc H. Strauss (R) — Clinton Township Council
- Rachel McLaughlin — North Hunterdon-Voorhees School Board (currently member of Clinton Township School Board)
- Alissa Olawski — Clinton Township School Board (incumbent)
- Jean Paul “JP” Vincenti — Clinton Township School Board
- Robert Holliday — Clinton Township School Board (incumbent)
All appear to be in violation of New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) requirements to file financial disclosures for the benefit of voters under the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act.
Vincenti also appears to be in violation of campaign labeling requirements in an ad he ran in the Clinton Township Newsletter. (Click here for details.)
ELEC
Established in 1973‚ ELEC monitors the campaign financing of all elections in the State. All political candidates who raise or spend money on their campaigns — even their own money — are required to report their finances to the public.
“The essence of Democracy is an informed electorate.”
– About ELEC
ELEC publishes candidates’ financial disclosures — and also shows which candidates have not filed the required disclosures.
ELEC Records: Candidates in apparent violation
The following images — showing candidates failed to file required financial disclosures — were captured on November 1, 2018 from the public ELEC database.
ELEC Records: Candidates in compliance
The following images — showing candidates filed required financial disclosures — were captured on November 1, 2018 from the public ELEC database.
NOTE: North Hunterdon-Voorhees School Board candidate Chris W. Kemprowski appears not to have raised or spent any funds on campaign signs or other campaign materials and thus appears to be exempt from disclosure requirements.
The quality of government is up to you
Keep political candidates honest. Expect them to follow the law before they get elected.
Do your homework before you cast your ballot.
VOTE on November 6!
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