NJ Redistricting, Peacetime Vets Exemption Proposals Approved: AP

NEW JERSEY — All three proposals that were on the ballot in New Jersey passed in Tuesday's elections, according to unofficial results posted by The Associated Press.

While the question of if marijuana should be legalized grabs all the headlines, there were two other ballot measures voters in the Garden State were asked to weigh in on this year.

Voters approved a proposal that would allow veterans who were disabled during peacetime to qualify for a $250 property tax deduction with 58.77 percent of the vote, as opposed to 23.49 percent who voted against it.

Voters also voiced their support for a proposal to delay the redistricting process until after the 2021 elections if it receives Census data from the federal government after Feb. 15, 2021. That measure was approved with 58.77 percent of the vote, as opposed to 40.42 percent who voted against it. The collection of Census data has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Ballot Question No. 2: PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTION AND EXEMPTION FOR PEACETIME VETERANS

The question asks if the $250 property tax deduction currently available for disabled wartime veterans should also be offered to disabled veterans who served in time of peace. Spouses of deceased peacetime veterans would also become eligible for the deduction, as spouses of wartime veterans currently are. The change would cost the state an estimated $13.6 million for tax year 2020.

Ballot Question No. 3: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING SCHEDULE IF CENSUS DATA IS DELAYED

The question asks if New Jersey should postpone the redistricting process until after the 2021 elections if it receives Census data from the federal government after Feb. 15, 2021.

If approved, the current districts would remain in place through 2023, and the delayed timeline would be the fallback anytime Census data comes in late.

Census data is used to determine New Jersey’s representation, which is why state and county officials make such a push for residents to fill out the Census, taken once every 10 years.

The current districts have been in place since April 3, 2011, two months after the 2010 Census data was received. The U.S. Census has asked Congress to extend next year’s deadline for delivering data until July 31 due to delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

For full coverage of the 2020 election in New Jersey, go here: New Jersey Elections 2020

Read more here: NJ Election 2020: President, Congress, Local Election Results