New Jersey’s Ballot Questions

New Jersey voters will not only get to vote on the gubernatorial and legislative races but two ballot questions that would amend the state constitution to mandate an increase in the minimum wage and allow "games of chance" to support veterans groups.

Public Question #1:

Official wording: Do you approve amending the Constitution to allow veterans’ organizations to use money collected from existing games of chance to support their organization?

Official interpretation: This amendment to the Constitution would allow veterans' organizations to use the money collected from existing games of chance (such as bingo, lotto or raffles) to support their organizations. At present the Constitution allow this money to be used only for educational, charitable, patriotic, religious or public-spirited purposes. Currently, only senior citizen groups may use the money they collect from existing games of chance to support their groups.

Public Question #2

Official wording: Do you approve amending the State Constitution to set a State minimum wage rate of at least $8.25 per hour? The amendment also requires annual increases in that rate if there are annual increases in the cost of living.

Official interpretation: This amendment to the State Constitution sets the State minimum wage at the level in effect under current law, or $8.25 per hour, whichever is more. Cost of living increases would be added each year. Also, if the federal minimum wage rate is raised above the State rate, the State rate would be raised to match the federal rate. Future cost of living increases then would be added to that raised rate.