All three commissioners of the Election Law Enforcement Commission resigned, just as the Legislature sent a bill to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk that would give the governor the power to directly appoint their replacements. The controversial bill, called the “Elections Transparency Act,” passed in both chambers late Thursday.
Critics say the measure is a power grab by Gov. Phil Murphy and will strip independence from the agency that’s tasked with investigating campaign finance violations. Supporters of the bill, who say it will shed light on so-called dark money groups by requiring them to reveal donors, say ELEC is in need of an overhaul.
The commissioners’ resignations come after ELEC’s executive director Jeff Brindle faced a disciplinary hearing for sending allegedly anti-LGBTQ+ emails to a colleague. The commissioners decided not to take any action against him.
