New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission

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{{short description|Independent governmental association in New Jersey, United States}}

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) is an independent governmental agency that is responsible for monitoring the integrity of campaign finances in elections in New Jersey. The Commission was established in 1973. Candidates for all public elections in New Jersey are required to file contribution and expenditure reports. ELEC also administers public financing for those running in primary or general elections for Governor of New Jersey.[http://www.elec.state.nj.us/aboutelec.htm About ELEC], New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Accessed June 15, 2010. The Commission administers aspects of New Jersey's "pay-to-play" laws, registration of governmental affairs agents (lobbyists), and quarterly disclosure of lobbying activity, and requires personal financial disclosure statements for certain candidates.

The original four members appointed by Governor William T. Cahill in 1973 were two Republicans: former Rep. Florence Dwyer of Elizabeth and Frank Reiche, a Princeton attorney; and two Democrats: Sidney Goldmann, a former presiding judge of the state appellate court and former Camden County Judge Bartholomew Sheehan.{{cite web|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/state-government/elecs-first-commissioners-were-a-former-congresswoman-a-princeton-gop-leader-and-two-retired-judges/|title=ELEC’s first commissioners were a former congresswoman, a Princeton GOP leader, and two retired judges|author=Wildstein, David|date=June 2023|website=NJglobe.com|access-date=June 15, 2023}}

Normally composed of four members, two Democrats and two Republicans, selected by the Governor of New Jersey, the commission has had a vacant seat since November 2011, the second year of the governorship of Chris Christie.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07/campaign_watchdog_vacancy_could_impact_divincenzo_spending_case.html|title=NJ campaign watchdog vacancy could impact DiVincenzo spending case|author=|date=July 2014|website=NJ.com|access-date=October 15, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/05/christie_defangs_watchdog_to_help_joe_d_on_corrupt.html|title=Christie defangs watchdog to help Joe D on corruption charge - Moran|author=|date=May 2016|website=NJ.com|access-date=October 15, 2017}} By 2016, the Commission fell to two members and thus, lacked a quorum to issue fines, however, in March 2017, the commission was restored to four members.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/03/nj_election_law_commission_can_end_its_meeting_dro.html|title=N.J. election law commission back in business again|author=|date=March 2017|website=NJ.com|access-date=October 15, 2017}}

Under the Election Transparency Act, passed in March 2023, Governor Phil Murphy was allowed to appoint four commissioners, two of which will serve two-year terms and two of which will serve three-year terms, after which they revert to the normal six-year term length. Additionally, he was able to make these appointments without needing them to be confirmed by the state Senate on a one-time basis. The three commissioners at the time; Eric H. Jaso (R), Chairman; Stephen M. Holden (D), Commissioner; and Marguerite T. Simon (D), Commissioner; all resigned in protest. On June 15, 2023, Murphy named Thomas H. Prol (as chairman, D), former Assemblyman Ryan Peters (R), Clark Municipal Prosecutor Jon-Henry Barr (R), and former Senior Deputy Attorney General Norma Evans (D) to serve on the panel.{{cite web|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/governor/murphy-taps-four-new-elec-commissioners/|title=Murphy taps four new ELEC commissioners|author=Wildstein, David|date=June 2023|website=NJglobe.com|access-date=June 15, 2023}}

Unlike most of the commissioners who served over the last fifty years, not a single member was a former judge, as the Commission operates as an administrative court of sorts. These commissioners then elect the Executive Director, which has been Amanda Haines since May 20, 2024.