When was the last time you had to get to the voting booth on Christmas Day or Easter? Right...never. This Tuesday is Rosh Hashana, the holiest of holy days for Jews...the same day that Little Falls' BOE is holding an important vote on the regional high school budget. Jews are outraged that the County and the Board of Ed would hold a vote on their religious holiday.
Little Falls resident Arnie Korotkin writes: "We are asking everyone to call or email all the local politicos and Superintendent Jaganow (973 890 2560 Ext. 2571). Call Congressman Pascrell, Assemblymen Scott Rumana & David Russo, State Senator Kevin O' Toole. This is more than a local issue."
A similar situation arising in Edison, was resolved by postponing the vote until December. The conflict prompted the passing of legislation yesterday that ensures no election can be held on a religious holiday.
A similar situation arising in Edison, was resolved by postponing the vote until December. The conflict prompted the passing of legislation yesterday that ensures no election can be held on a religious holiday.
Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Dist. 36), whose district includes parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Essex counties, cosponsored the bill (A-3186) said holding elections on religious holidays is “an insult to the diversity of our state.”
With the passing of the new bill, the secretary of state can now change the date of any primary and regular municipal election. The commissioner of education can do the same for school-related elections if the date conflicts with a religious holiday.
Comments (6)
I thought that Yom Kippur was the holiest day?
Either way, I agree with the legislation.
The US general elections dates are always set on "the first Tuesday following the first Monday of Novemeber" specifically so that election day will not fall on Nov 1, a Christian holiday (All Saints Day).
Who says 3rd grade social studies isn't useful!
Yom Kippur is the most important and most solemn high holiday. Rosh Hashanah is still a high holiday.
It didn't stop Renee Baskerville from holding a ward 4 town hall type meeting.
Voting on Easter and Christmas? Never, but then again they ALWAYS fall on the same day (a Sunday or 12/25) so its easy to remember not to vote on those days. Jewish and Muslim holidays? They float like the tide (being lunar) so you need astronomers to predict them; I don't blame the lawmakers.
Given the diversity of our country and the many, many religions represented here, at some point it will be hard NOT to anger some group by scheduling an event on a day of religious observance. So, you can vote by absentee ballot, make a personal choice a la Sandy Koufax, or just suck it up.
absentee ballots for everyone. You don't even need an excuse when you apply