Empower NJ Voters: Demand Gov.-elect Sherrill and Legislature Expand direct democracy
The Issue
We Demand Action: Put Direct Democracy on the 2026 Ballot'
As of 2025, New Jersey is one of the 24 states without any process for citizen led initiatives or referendums.
To establish a truly representative government, we demand that Governor-elect Sherrill and the New Jersey Legislature immediately champion and enact a Constitutional Amendment to establish a comprehensive Citizen Initiative and Referendum process.
Specifically, we demand the Legislature:
Introduce and Pass a Concurrent Resolution defining a comprehensive Initiative and Referendum process with the required three-fifths supermajority vote during the 2026 legislative session by August 25, 2026
Place the question to amend the New Jersey Constitution on the November 2026 Midterm General Election Ballot for the citizens of New Jersey to finally vote on.
The Full Scope of Citizen Power We Demand for NJ:
This amendment must establish the full range of direct democracy tools, making New Jersey voters equal to those in the majority of US states:
I. Citizen-Initiated Measures
Initiated Constitutional Amendment
Citizens propose and vote on changes to the State Constitution. (Direct and Indirect methods.)
Initiated State Statute
Citizens propose and vote on new state laws. (Direct and Indirect methods.)
Veto Referendum
Citizens can gather signatures to repeal a law recently passed by the Legislature.
II. Legislative & Other Measures (Commission-Referred)
Constitution Revision Commission (CRC)
A periodic, non-legislative commission with the power to review the entire Constitution and place proposed amendments directly on the ballot.
Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC)
A commission focused on fiscal issues with the power to propose amendments related to the State's budgeting, revenue, and tax structure directly to the voters. It shall be charged with examining the state budgetary process, state revenue needs and expenditure processes, the appropriateness and efficiency of the state's tax structure, the state's revenue-raising capabilities, and the state's constitutional limitations on taxation and expenditures.
Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers:
A commission in the state legislature that is meant to review the salaries and pay of state officers justices and clerks of the superior court and can refer statues regarding such issues to citizens. Ensures that the way state lawmakers are paid algins with how the people see their performances.
Statue affirmation:
Prevents the Legislature from repealing or amending a statue in the future without a direct vote of the electorate.
Combined initiated state statue and constitutional amendment:
Allows citizens to amend both the states constitution and state statue.
Legislatively Referred Constitutional Amendment:
Allows the legislature to ask citizens to approve of an amendment. New Jersey already has this, but uphold and affirm it.
Legislatively referred statutes:
Allows the legislature to ask citizens if they approve of a proposed law/statue. Ensures all laws proposed by the legislature reflect the views of the people.
Citizen initiated grand juries:
Allows citizens to collect signatures to call for the formation of a criminal grand jury. This ensures that the way criminals are brought to justice aligns with how the people view it.
Recall reform:
NJ currently allows for gubernatorial and local recalls, but not against judges, and it requires the Lieutenant Governor to take over if the governor is recalled. We can and should reform it by expanding the recall provision to judges and requiring a direct gubernatorial election to be held during a recall to replace the governor should the governor be recalled.
Safeguards:
- All voters pamphlets shall explain the process
- Single Subject rules for all amendments except for those proposed by the CRC.
- A State level Voting Rights act built into the amendment to provide additional, specific protections for minorities.
- A voter protection act requiring a three-fourths legislative vote and a measure that "furthers the purpose" to supersede a voter approved initiative
- Laws regarding indirect initiated statues and indirect initiated amendments, including signature requirements, shall be modeled after what was proposed in SCR60: https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SCR/60_I1.HTM#:~:text=SCR60,PROPOSED%20AMENDMENT
- A ban on paying signature gathers on a per-signature basis to reduce fraud
- A Title Board to review and summarize ballot measures
- All Mail voting, so that all voters can review the ballot measures in the comfort of their homes with extra time
For direct initiated amendments (Including combined amendments and statues), require two general elections with a two year gap in between, for amendments proposed by the CRC, propose a 60% threshold, and for indirect initiated amendments, require a simple majority on all ballots casted during the general election, with any blank vote or vote in which the voter doesn’t cast election ballots being counted as “No”
Why this matters to me and many of us:
- These address legislative inaction and help crucial legislation get passed during legislative deadlock or in the era of divided government.
- They encourage voters passionate about a certain issue to vote.
- They add a additional layer of checks and balances.
Calls to action:
Call and Email Governor elect Mikie Sherrill:
As Governor-elect, She will have the authiroty to make laws.
Phone: (973) 526-5668
Contant Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker:
Call and email Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker to spread support for this cause:
Phone (Booker): (202) 224-3224
Phone (Kim): (202) 224-4744
Contact: kim.senate.gov/contact
Contact: booker.senate.gov/contact/
Contact New Jersey’s US House Representatives to get this amendment their endorsement:
District 1: Donald Norcross (D)
Website: norcross.house.gov/contact
DC Phone: (202) 225-6501
Camden Office: (856) 427-7000
District 2: Jeff Van Drew (R)
Website: vandrew.house.gov/contact/
DC Phone: (202) 225-6572
District 3: Herb Conaway (D)
Website: conaway.house.gov/contact
Delran Office: (856) 461-3997
District 4: Chris Smith (R)Website: chrissmith.house.gov/contact/
Toms River Office: (732) 504-0567
District 5: Josh Gottheimer (D)
Website: gottheimer.house.gov/contact
DC Phone: (202) 225-4465
District 6: Frank Pallone (D)
Website: pallone.house.gov/contact
District 7: Thomas Kean Jr. (R)
Website: kean.house.gov/
District 8: Rob Menendez (D)
Website: menendez.house.gov/contact
District 9: Nellie Pou (D)
Website: pou.house.gov/contact
District 10: LaMonica McIver (D)
Website: mciver.house.gov/contact
District 11: Vacant
District 12: Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)
Website:watsoncoleman.house.gov/contact
Contact members of the state legislature:
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster
Contact outgoing Governor Phil Murphy and Lt governor Tanesha Way:
Governor's Office (main line): (609) 292-6000
Toll-Free in NJ: (800) 792-8630
Text Governor Murphy/Lt. Governor Way (for general contact): (732) 605-5455
Contact Senate President Nicholas Scutari:
District Office Phone: (732) 827-7480
Official Email: senatorscutari@njleg.org
Fax: (732) 215-4785
Contact members of the New Jersey Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee:
The members of this committee are:
Senator James Beach (Chair)
Phone: (856) 429-1572
Email: senbeach@njleg.org
Senator John McKeon (Vice Chair)
Phone: (862) 930-7071
Email: senmckeon@njleg.org
Senator Shirley Turner
Phone: (609) 323-7239
Email: senturner@njleg.org
Senator James Holzapfel
Phone: (732) 840-9028
Email: senholzapfel@njleg.org
Senator Vincent Polistina
Phone: (609) 677-8266
Email: senpolistina@njleg.org
New Jersey Assembly State and Local Government Committee
The members of this committee are:
Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn (Chair)
Phone: (973) 927-9797
Email: aswdunn@njleg.org
Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese (Vice Chair)
Phone: (201) 295-5651
Email: asmcalabrese@njleg.org
Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald
Phone: (856) 429-7900
Email: asmgreenwald@njleg.org
Assemblyman Robert D. Clifton
Phone: (732) 238-0723
Email: asmclifton@njleg.org
Assemblyman William F. Moen, Jr.
Phone: (856) 406-0200
Email: asmmoen@njleg.org
Assemblyman John F. Pallone
Phone: (732) 719-3040
Email: asmpallone@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Shama Haider
Phone: (201) 928-0100
Email: aswhaider@njleg.org
Assemblyman Christian E. Barranco
Phone: (973) 895-3640
Email: asmbarranco@njleg.org
Sign this petition to tell our new leaders: Put I&R on the November 2026 Midterm ballots! The time for a government of the people, by the people, is now. New Jersey deserves a voice!
https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/political-science/referendum-and-initiative
#InitiativeAndReferendum #NJVotersFirst #CitizenGrandJuries #RecallJersey #OfThePeopleByThePeople #DirectDemocracyNJ #VotersFirstNJ #InititiaveandReferendum #ChecksandBalances #GardenState #NewJersey #NJ
2
The Issue
We Demand Action: Put Direct Democracy on the 2026 Ballot'
As of 2025, New Jersey is one of the 24 states without any process for citizen led initiatives or referendums.
To establish a truly representative government, we demand that Governor-elect Sherrill and the New Jersey Legislature immediately champion and enact a Constitutional Amendment to establish a comprehensive Citizen Initiative and Referendum process.
Specifically, we demand the Legislature:
Introduce and Pass a Concurrent Resolution defining a comprehensive Initiative and Referendum process with the required three-fifths supermajority vote during the 2026 legislative session by August 25, 2026
Place the question to amend the New Jersey Constitution on the November 2026 Midterm General Election Ballot for the citizens of New Jersey to finally vote on.
The Full Scope of Citizen Power We Demand for NJ:
This amendment must establish the full range of direct democracy tools, making New Jersey voters equal to those in the majority of US states:
I. Citizen-Initiated Measures
Initiated Constitutional Amendment
Citizens propose and vote on changes to the State Constitution. (Direct and Indirect methods.)
Initiated State Statute
Citizens propose and vote on new state laws. (Direct and Indirect methods.)
Veto Referendum
Citizens can gather signatures to repeal a law recently passed by the Legislature.
II. Legislative & Other Measures (Commission-Referred)
Constitution Revision Commission (CRC)
A periodic, non-legislative commission with the power to review the entire Constitution and place proposed amendments directly on the ballot.
Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC)
A commission focused on fiscal issues with the power to propose amendments related to the State's budgeting, revenue, and tax structure directly to the voters. It shall be charged with examining the state budgetary process, state revenue needs and expenditure processes, the appropriateness and efficiency of the state's tax structure, the state's revenue-raising capabilities, and the state's constitutional limitations on taxation and expenditures.
Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers:
A commission in the state legislature that is meant to review the salaries and pay of state officers justices and clerks of the superior court and can refer statues regarding such issues to citizens. Ensures that the way state lawmakers are paid algins with how the people see their performances.
Statue affirmation:
Prevents the Legislature from repealing or amending a statue in the future without a direct vote of the electorate.
Combined initiated state statue and constitutional amendment:
Allows citizens to amend both the states constitution and state statue.
Legislatively Referred Constitutional Amendment:
Allows the legislature to ask citizens to approve of an amendment. New Jersey already has this, but uphold and affirm it.
Legislatively referred statutes:
Allows the legislature to ask citizens if they approve of a proposed law/statue. Ensures all laws proposed by the legislature reflect the views of the people.
Citizen initiated grand juries:
Allows citizens to collect signatures to call for the formation of a criminal grand jury. This ensures that the way criminals are brought to justice aligns with how the people view it.
Recall reform:
NJ currently allows for gubernatorial and local recalls, but not against judges, and it requires the Lieutenant Governor to take over if the governor is recalled. We can and should reform it by expanding the recall provision to judges and requiring a direct gubernatorial election to be held during a recall to replace the governor should the governor be recalled.
Safeguards:
- All voters pamphlets shall explain the process
- Single Subject rules for all amendments except for those proposed by the CRC.
- A State level Voting Rights act built into the amendment to provide additional, specific protections for minorities.
- A voter protection act requiring a three-fourths legislative vote and a measure that "furthers the purpose" to supersede a voter approved initiative
- Laws regarding indirect initiated statues and indirect initiated amendments, including signature requirements, shall be modeled after what was proposed in SCR60: https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SCR/60_I1.HTM#:~:text=SCR60,PROPOSED%20AMENDMENT
- A ban on paying signature gathers on a per-signature basis to reduce fraud
- A Title Board to review and summarize ballot measures
- All Mail voting, so that all voters can review the ballot measures in the comfort of their homes with extra time
For direct initiated amendments (Including combined amendments and statues), require two general elections with a two year gap in between, for amendments proposed by the CRC, propose a 60% threshold, and for indirect initiated amendments, require a simple majority on all ballots casted during the general election, with any blank vote or vote in which the voter doesn’t cast election ballots being counted as “No”
Why this matters to me and many of us:
- These address legislative inaction and help crucial legislation get passed during legislative deadlock or in the era of divided government.
- They encourage voters passionate about a certain issue to vote.
- They add a additional layer of checks and balances.
Calls to action:
Call and Email Governor elect Mikie Sherrill:
As Governor-elect, She will have the authiroty to make laws.
Phone: (973) 526-5668
Contant Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker:
Call and email Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker to spread support for this cause:
Phone (Booker): (202) 224-3224
Phone (Kim): (202) 224-4744
Contact: kim.senate.gov/contact
Contact: booker.senate.gov/contact/
Contact New Jersey’s US House Representatives to get this amendment their endorsement:
District 1: Donald Norcross (D)
Website: norcross.house.gov/contact
DC Phone: (202) 225-6501
Camden Office: (856) 427-7000
District 2: Jeff Van Drew (R)
Website: vandrew.house.gov/contact/
DC Phone: (202) 225-6572
District 3: Herb Conaway (D)
Website: conaway.house.gov/contact
Delran Office: (856) 461-3997
District 4: Chris Smith (R)Website: chrissmith.house.gov/contact/
Toms River Office: (732) 504-0567
District 5: Josh Gottheimer (D)
Website: gottheimer.house.gov/contact
DC Phone: (202) 225-4465
District 6: Frank Pallone (D)
Website: pallone.house.gov/contact
District 7: Thomas Kean Jr. (R)
Website: kean.house.gov/
District 8: Rob Menendez (D)
Website: menendez.house.gov/contact
District 9: Nellie Pou (D)
Website: pou.house.gov/contact
District 10: LaMonica McIver (D)
Website: mciver.house.gov/contact
District 11: Vacant
District 12: Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)
Website:watsoncoleman.house.gov/contact
Contact members of the state legislature:
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster
Contact outgoing Governor Phil Murphy and Lt governor Tanesha Way:
Governor's Office (main line): (609) 292-6000
Toll-Free in NJ: (800) 792-8630
Text Governor Murphy/Lt. Governor Way (for general contact): (732) 605-5455
Contact Senate President Nicholas Scutari:
District Office Phone: (732) 827-7480
Official Email: senatorscutari@njleg.org
Fax: (732) 215-4785
Contact members of the New Jersey Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee:
The members of this committee are:
Senator James Beach (Chair)
Phone: (856) 429-1572
Email: senbeach@njleg.org
Senator John McKeon (Vice Chair)
Phone: (862) 930-7071
Email: senmckeon@njleg.org
Senator Shirley Turner
Phone: (609) 323-7239
Email: senturner@njleg.org
Senator James Holzapfel
Phone: (732) 840-9028
Email: senholzapfel@njleg.org
Senator Vincent Polistina
Phone: (609) 677-8266
Email: senpolistina@njleg.org
New Jersey Assembly State and Local Government Committee
The members of this committee are:
Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn (Chair)
Phone: (973) 927-9797
Email: aswdunn@njleg.org
Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese (Vice Chair)
Phone: (201) 295-5651
Email: asmcalabrese@njleg.org
Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald
Phone: (856) 429-7900
Email: asmgreenwald@njleg.org
Assemblyman Robert D. Clifton
Phone: (732) 238-0723
Email: asmclifton@njleg.org
Assemblyman William F. Moen, Jr.
Phone: (856) 406-0200
Email: asmmoen@njleg.org
Assemblyman John F. Pallone
Phone: (732) 719-3040
Email: asmpallone@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Shama Haider
Phone: (201) 928-0100
Email: aswhaider@njleg.org
Assemblyman Christian E. Barranco
Phone: (973) 895-3640
Email: asmbarranco@njleg.org
Sign this petition to tell our new leaders: Put I&R on the November 2026 Midterm ballots! The time for a government of the people, by the people, is now. New Jersey deserves a voice!
https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/political-science/referendum-and-initiative
#InitiativeAndReferendum #NJVotersFirst #CitizenGrandJuries #RecallJersey #OfThePeopleByThePeople #DirectDemocracyNJ #VotersFirstNJ #InititiaveandReferendum #ChecksandBalances #GardenState #NewJersey #NJ
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on November 15, 2025