A major innovation in the ethics reform legislation enacted by the Legislature in 2004 was the
New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project, P.L.2004, c.121 (hereafter, the Act). The
Legislature declared that:
It is possible that a voluntary clean money campaign finance system for
legislative candidates would strengthen democracy in New Jersey by
removing access to wealth as a major determinant of a citizen's influence
within the political process. . . . Establishment of a clean elections pilot
project would provide selected candidates for the offices of member of the
General Assembly with equal resources with which to communicate with
voters, reverse the escalating cost of elections and free those candidates
from the chore of raising money, thus allowing them more time to conduct
their official duties and communicate with their constituents. . . . This pilot
project, based on the laws currently in effect in Maine and Arizona, would
be a significant step towards strengthening public confidence in this
State's democratic processes and institutions. P.L.2004, c.121, §2.
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