“Absurd’’ New Jersey pols scheduled the state’s June primary elections during the holy Jewish holiday of Shavuot, prompting infuriated religious groups to demand the date be changed.
Shavuot is celebrated by observant Jews as the day when the Ten Commandments were given on Mount Sinai, and next year, the holiday ends at sundown, 9:14 p.m., on June 3 — the Garden State’s primary day.
“The overlap of these dates means that, without intervention, a significant portion of our community will be disenfranchised,” more than 60 rabbis and other Jewish faith leaders wrote an open letter requesting that the date of the primary elections be changed.
Over 600,000 Jews live in NJ, accounting for about 7% of its population, the second highest rate in the US after New York, which is holding its primary elections June 24.
The Jewish leaders are urging New Jersey politicians to act like mensches by rescheduling the date of the primary.
“Holding a holiday on Shavuot is absurd. It’s disenfranchising Jewish voters,” said Maury Litwack, founder and CEO of The Teach Coalition, an affiliate of the Orthodox Union that mobilizes Jewish voters.
“There’s plenty of time to change the date.”
The group’s open letter said, “While mail-in and early voting options are available, primary election day remains the most common time for casting ballots.”
Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a North Jersey Democrat who is running for governor, said the date of the primary election must be rescheduled.
“This is a no-brainer, and I’m not sure why anyone would oppose it,” Gottheimer said.
Gov. Phil Murphy said he is willing to work with the legislature to reschedule the date of the primary. The date was set by Murphy and the legislature.
“The Governor is open to working with the Legislature to shift the date of the June 3, 2025 primary election due to overlap with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, recognizing that many Orthodox Jewish voters are not able to work, travel, write, or use electronics that day,” said Murphy spokesman Kiran Sheth in a statement.
“The Governor is committed to ensuring that our democratic process remains inclusive and accessible to all New Jersey voters.”
