'Unreasonable' New Jersey Paul scheduled June's state primary election to coincide with the Jewish holy holiday of Shavuot, prompting outraged religious groups to demand a change in date.
Shavuot is celebrated by observant Jews as the day the Ten Commandments were given on Mount Sinai, and next year the holiday will be celebrated at sunset on June 3, the anniversary of the founding of the pastoral state, at 9:14 p.m. ends at
“The alignment of these dates means that without intervention, a significant portion of our community will be disenfranchised,” said more than 60 rabbis and other Jewish faith leaders. I wrote an open letter asking for the primary election to be rescheduled.
More than 600,000 Jews live in New Jersey, making up about 7% of the population, making it the second-highest percentage in the nation after New York, which holds its primary election on June 24. There is.
Jewish leaders are calling on New Jersey politicians to behave normally, including rescheduling the primary.
“Spending the holiday on Shavuot is ridiculous. It disenfranchises Jewish voters,” said the founder and chief executive of the Teach Coalition, an affiliate of the Orthodox Union that mobilizes Jewish voters. said Maury Litwak, CEO.
“There's plenty of time to change the date.”
“While mail-in voting and early voting options are available, primary election day remains the most commonly voted time,” the group's open letter said.
Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who is running for North Jersey governor, said the primary election needs to be rescheduled.
“This makes sense, but I don't understand why anyone would object to it,” Gottheimer said.
Gov. Phil Murphy said he is willing to work with the Legislature to reschedule the primary. This date was set by Mr. Murphy and Congress.
“Recognizing that many Orthodox Jewish voters are unable to work, travel, write, or have access to transportation, the Governor is working with the Legislature to work with the Legislature on June 3, 2025 as it coincides with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. “We are open to rescheduling the primary election,” Murphy spokeswoman Kiran Sheth said in a statement.
“The Governor is committed to ensuring that our democratic process remains inclusive and accessible to all New Jersey voters.”
