New Jersey Legislature

The NJ legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the United State of New Jersey. As defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, which is the most recent update, the NJ Legislature consists of both the General Assembly and Senate. The meeting headquarters for the NJ legislature is located in the capital, Trenton, in the New Jersey State House.

The New Jersey judiciary an independent branch of government. The New Jersey judiciary is in charge of making sure there is a fair and reasonable resolution of political disagreements in order to protect the rights and liberties promised by the Constitution and in the laws of the United States, specifically in New Jersey.

-The NJ legislature is able to decree laws by a majority vote of both the General Assembly and the Senate, subject to the New Jersey Governor’s power to veto a particular bill. A veto may be overruled by the NJ Legislature if there is a two-thirds majority in favor of overruling in both the General Assembly and the Senate.The New Jersey judiciary branch is required to interpret and explain the possible law that is being proposed to go into effect.

-The NJ legislature may suggest an amendment to the State Constitution if three-fifths of both the General Assembly and the Senate agree.

-Alternatively, the NJ legislature may propose an amendment by a majority vote of at least two consecutive years. Either way, the referendum, which is a legislative act that is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate, is added to the ballot. If approved, it becomes a valid part of the United States Constitution.

-The NJ legislature can sanction amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

-The NJ legislature can also appoint the State Auditor, assess the elections and qualifications of its members.

-More importantly, the NJ legislature can conduct any impeachment proceedings against State officials. The Senate alone has the power to either confirm or reject people for judicial and some executive positions.

-The unusual thing about the New Jersey judiciary is that it still has separate courts of law and equity, unlike most other U.S. states. The New Jersey Superior Court is broken into Law and Chancery Divisions during trials.

-NJ legislature members are picked from 40 electoral districts. Each individual district is in charge of electing one Senator and two Assemblymen. Only seven other states besides New Jersey that consists of districts for the upper and lower house of the NJ legislature operate in this function. Districts are redefined after every United States Census.

-NJ legislative elections are always held in November of every odd-numbered year, unlike most other states. Assemblymen serve terms of two years each and senators serve four year terms.

-The NJ legislature came into its current constitution in 1947. Under this constitution, the governor has additional veto powers. The governor also has the ability to serve two terms instead of just one.