Conservative Principles Now

A bill to require New Jersey schools to provide voter registration materials to graduating high school students has received full legislative approval and now head’s to the governor.  The legislation requires schools to provide a voter registration form and a summary of voter registration eligibility requirements to each graduating high school pupil. The material would be nonpartisan and conform to state election laws.

Young adults entering the world after high school need to recognize that voting is more than just a constitutional right, but their societal responsibility,” said Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle (D-Englewood), one of the sponsors. “Teenagers who recognize the importance of voting will undoubtedly become adults who take that responsibility seriously.”

TRENTON -- About 200 marriage equality proponents rallied in front of the Statehouse this morning as they prepared to watch same-sex marriage legislation come up for a vote in the full senate.

Supporters sang folk songs, including “This Little Light of Mine,” as they marched the couple hundreds yards between the Statehouse entrance and the annex next door. 

Speeches were kept short, but Garden State Equality Chairman Steven Goldstein had a notable exchange with opponent Pastor Darren Johnson, who held a sign that read “’No gay marriage’ – God!” 

Goldstein, holding a bullhorn, invited Johnson, who was alone, to stand next to him.

“This gentleman has the full constitutional right… and he has a big crowd behind him, too,” said Goldstein.

“I’m exercising my right- -- my 14^th amendment right – to dialogue intelligently for the issues,” said Johnson, who identified himself as a pastor but declined to identify what, if any, church he is affiliated with.