Chris Christie vetoes early voting bill

The New Jersey governor said the proposal was "hasty, counterproductive and less reliable"

Published May 10, 2013 1:28PM (EDT)

Republican Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have allowed early voting by 15 days in New Jersey, calling it "hasty, counterproductive and less reliable."

"I support responsible and cost-efficient election reform that increases voter participation because democracy works best when the most people vote," he said of the veto. "But this bill risks the integrity and orderly administration of our elections by introducing a new voting method and process."

From the Star-Ledger:

Christie, who is seeking re-election, raised the ire of unions and the Democratic Governors Association, who are backing his likely opponent, state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex).

"The governor’s veto shamefully silences the voices of an untold number of New Jersey families," New Jersey AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech said. The Democratic Governors Association immediately issued a statement likening Christie to what it called "shameless Republican governors restricting voting rights for partisan political gain," citing Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and others.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

MORE FROM Jillian Rayfield


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Chris Christie Early Voting New Jersey Republicans Voting Rights