Why is the New Jersey special election on a Wed. (Oct 16)?

[Hawaii Hiker]

Any other reason than to confuse voters....Since when is an election held on a Wed,

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/04/18752076-with-special-election-decision-christie-helps-himself-too?lite

[onehandle]

1. Crooked Louse Governor? nt

[whistler162]

2. Not since they standardize the main Election Day.

http://history1800s.about.com/od/presidentialcampaigns/f/electionday01.htm

[SharonAnn]

11. We have a Thursday election here that's a combination Primary and General Election.

Tuesday in May is the date for County and State office Primaries

Thursday in August is Primary for Federal offices and General election for State and Local offices.

Tuesday in November is the General for Federal Offices.

But then, it's Tennessee.

[BlueToTheBone]

3. So the GOP can give out the wrong date to vote.

Why else?

[rdharma]

4. Because NJ has so much money that they can afford to spend it on a special election.

It's all about Christie. He's hoping to keep the turnout of Democratic voters down in the general election when he's up for re-election.

[former9thward]

6. How is having a special election on a Wed going to keep turnout down in the general election?

The general election is a month later.

[rdharma]

8. Because the Democratic base is going to be fired up to win back Lautenberg's seat.......

Christie is hoping for Democratic "lack of interest" and low turnout for November.

He doesn't want the fired up Democratic base to show up in November.

[former9thward]

9. The OP is about whether to have the election on a Wed or a Tues.

What difference does it make what day it is in October? How does having it on Wed instead of Tues depress turnout a month later?

[Chan790]

12. It doesn't.

It presents the opportunity for a twofer:

*By being in October, CC keeps down voters on Election day and gives the appearance of a runaway win CC can use to claim a mandate for even more slash-and-burn economics. This mandate is an illusion.

*By being on Wed instead of Tues, CC hopes that voter confusion and intentional misdirection, combined with a weak incumbency advantage (ie. Unaffiliated moderates saying: "He's not doing a shitty job, let's give him a full term.&quot , will depress Democratic turnout (because the GOP expects to out-GOTV the Democrats) and perhaps steal a US Senate seat.

[former9thward]

14. Weak incumbancy advantage?

1)There is no incumbent. The incumbent died. CC is not appointing anyone to the seat.

2) The law dictates when the special election must be held. There is some leeway but not enough to push it into November. There is no reason a special election in October should keep voters from voting in November for a completely different office. It is up to
the Democratic candidate to GOTV. The latest polls show CC with majority approval ratings from Democrats. I doubt he is worried about his election.

[Chan790]

15. He apppointed someone.

1.) The current Republican AG of NJ, Jeff Chiesa. Story

2.) The law does not specify when the election must be held, only the earliest it can be. Christie chose the date.

3.) He's not worried about winning his election...he's worried about winning with 65% of the vote and being able to claim a mandate versus a 5-10% advantage and not having a clear mandate.

[former9thward]

16. The earlier stories had said he was not going to appoint anyone.

There were DU posts about it complaining about lack of representation in that period. However there still will be no incumbent. The guy he appointed is not running for the job.

[davidpdx]

19. I didn't see that

I doubt he would do that. He has a chance to appoint a Republican and kiss his party's ass to get back in good standing after their fit about him appearing with Obama after Hurricane Sandy. Granted we will win back the seat, but a Republican will hold it for 4 months until then.

[Pab Sungenis]

5. To ensure as few people vote as possible.

Pure and simple.

[former9thward]

7. Several states, including Hawaii, hold their elections on days other than Tuesday.

Hawaii, South Carolina and Louisiana all hold Saturday elections.

[Zoeisright]

10. Because Chris Christie is a fucking asshole.

and like all repukes LOVES to waste taxpayer money.

[karynnj]

13. One possibility - October 14 is Columbus Day which is a state holiday

http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/facts/holidays/

Could it be that they want Tuesday to prepare for an election after a 3 day weekend? (I saw some complaints on Blue Mass when a local election was the Tuesday after Memorial Day - complaining that people might miss it. )

I do think that the Democrats (and Republicans ) will highlight and put WEDNESDAY in BIG letters on all mail pieces and ads.

[whistler162]

17. More likely Christie wanted to....

piss off Hawaii Hiker!

[Hawaii Hiker]

18. Christie's stunt would piss off most people, even

It takes alot to piss off the blue woo-woo man..

[karynnj]

20. Naw, actually, he wanted to make honest men of the men who said Democrats should vote on Wednesday

to have shorter lines - -- for elections on Tuesdays.