This is the third in an occasional video series that will help readers make informed decisions on Election Day — where candidates stand as well as underlying issues that are sometimes overlooked.
The state Legislature plays a crucial role in the lives of New Jerseyans, writing laws that run the gamut from defining crimes and penalties to providing direct and indirect property-tax relief through direct payments and aid to schools and local governments.
But some people don’t know much about the state Senate and Assembly. That’s where the latest episode of NJ Spotlight News’ video series “Gotta Know Jersey” comes in.
The third video in the series explains what the Legislature is, how many members it has (120), how they are apportioned (one senator and two Assembly members for each of 40 districts into which the state is divided) and more.
Where’s the power?
What qualifications are required to become a lawmaker? How much do senators and Assembly members make? Who holds the most power? Check out the video for the answers to these and other questions.
This year, it’s especially important for New Jersey residents to understand more about the Legislature because all 40 senators and 80 Assembly members are on November’s ballot. Voting for local representatives gives New Jerseyans the greatest say in the things that impact their lives most.
Every registered voter gets a chance to choose one senator and two Assembly members this year. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Today is the last day to register to vote in the election.
To check out what district you’re in, who’s running, what they stand for and how to register to vote, check out the NJ Spotlight News elections page and the NJ Voters Guide.
The first two videos in the “Gotta Know Jersey” series explain why this year’s election is important and how to register and vote. Future videos will show step by step how a bill becomes a law and walk through the process of how one important law impacting thousands of New Jersey residents — the state’s minimum-wage law — came to be.
The “Gotta Know Jersey” team is Katherine Crist, Julie Daurio, Madeline Ference, Sophie Leigh Fisher, Laura Galarza, Nicholas Hernandez and Colleen O’Dea, with additional help from Genesis Obando and Harrison Malkin.
