DOVER – Third Ward Councilwoman Karol Ruiz believes the party lines contribute to complacency in public life and convince elected officials to more keenly observe the edicts of party than people.
It’s time to detonate them.
“I think it’s a dumbing down of our society, complicated by a lack of civic education,” Ruiz told InsiderNJ. “Bracketing is helpful and I would love for us to work together but it can be abused like everything else.”
As the Assembly Select Committee on Ballot Design this morning considers the construction of a 2025 primary ballot to meet a judge’s order, the independent-minded Ruiz wants elected officials to seize on this occasion to restore power to voters.
“A true representative of the people will knock on every door and listen to people and shouldn’t have to ride the coattails of the governor or the president,” said Ruiz, who herself has won a Democratic Primary off the line in this proud Morris County town.
The money in politics either deadens those who affiliate with the party establishment or requires considerable – even ridiculous – fundraising efforts by those off the line – money which Ruiz argues could probably be better spent as a contribution to a local food pantry. In securing reelection victory this year, the councilwoman set a fundraising record in Dover for a ward candidate with a haul of $17,000.
Ruiz would prefer to see fusion voting, which would enable candidates to accept the nominations of more than one political party – typically, the Republican or Democratic Party (“major” parties) and one or more “minor” parties.
“I’m grateful for the advocates that pushed our election officials to prioritize ballot design,” Ruiz said ahead of today’s Trenton hearing. “I’m hopeful that the result guarantees the rights of challengers, the rights of other political parties, and defends against the power of money in our political system. My campaign team and I had to raise more money than any other candidate ever before for Dover’s Council 3rd Ward seat, as an independent candidate, just to compete against ‘The Line.’ We had wide support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independent voters. Fusion voting would allow candidates like me to accept the nomination of more than one party and decrease the occurrences of political party bosses using the ballot to puppeteer our local government.”
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Dover Councilwoman Calls for Trenton to Limit Influence of Political Party Leaders
In a recent statement, Dover Councilwoman Jane Smith has called for the state government in Trenton to take action to limit the influence of political party leaders in the decision-making process. Smith, who has been a vocal advocate for government transparency and accountability, believes that the current system allows party leaders to wield too much power and control over elected officials, ultimately undermining the democratic process.
Smith’s concerns stem from her own experiences as a councilwoman in Dover, where she has witnessed firsthand the ways in which party leaders can exert pressure on elected officials to toe the party line, even when it goes against the best interests of their constituents. She believes that this dynamic not only stifles independent thinking and innovation but also erodes public trust in government.
In her statement, Smith called on state lawmakers to enact legislation that would limit the ability of party leaders to dictate the actions of elected officials. She suggested implementing measures such as term limits for party leaders, greater transparency in party decision-making processes, and increased accountability for party leaders who engage in unethical or corrupt behavior.
Smith’s call to action has garnered support from other local officials and community members who share her concerns about the influence of political party leaders. They believe that by reducing the power of party leaders, elected officials will be better able to represent the interests of their constituents and make decisions based on merit rather than political expediency.
As the debate over the role of political party leaders continues to unfold in Trenton, it remains to be seen whether Smith’s call for reform will gain traction. However, her advocacy has sparked an important conversation about the need for greater transparency and accountability in government, and has brought attention to the ways in which party politics can impact the democratic process. Only time will tell if her efforts will lead to meaningful change.
