N.J.S.A. 19:44A-2.1 — Findings, declarations relative to individuals considering candidacy for public office.

19:44A-2.1 Findings, declarations relative to individuals considering candidacy for public office. 1. The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Accessible public disclosure of money and other things of value given to a candidate for public office by an individual, another candidate or a political committee has proven to be the most effective means of fostering public awareness of and reducing public skepticism about the current system of financing elections for public office; b. However, under the current disclosure system, certain individuals who collect and spend money while considering whether to become a candidate for public office at a future election do not have to disclose anything about the money they raise or expend until they become a candidate; c. The continuation of this practice undermines public confidence in the current system of financing elections for public office; d. The State has a compelling interest in preventing the actuality or appearance of corruption and in protecting public confidence in democratic institutions by requiring an individual who is considering whether to be a candidate for office to comply with the same laws that apply to any candidate for public office; and e. It is, therefore, reasonable for the State to promote these compelling interests by requiring an individual who acts like a candidate to comply with the current limitations, prohibitions and requirements on campaign contributions and the disclosure of the sources and amounts of contributions and expenditures. L.1999,c.57,s.1.

This is the verbatim text of N.J.S.A. 19:44A-2.1, retrieved from the New Jersey Legislature's public statute corpus. Statutes are amended periodically — for the most current version, check the external source link above. Kyzer is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.