TRENTON, NJ – Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-Monmouth, Ocean) introduced a constitutional amendment Thursday that would sharply limit what legislation can advance during New Jersey’s “lame duck” period — the weeks between Election Day and the start of a new legislative session.
Assembly Concurrent Resolution 179 would require a two-thirds majority vote in both the General Assembly and Senate to pass or even move most bills and joint resolutions during that post-election window.
Under the proposed amendment, the heightened voting threshold would apply from the first day voters are eligible to cast ballots in the November general election through the second Tuesday in January, when newly elected legislators are sworn in. The rule would also cover any attempts to amend and reenact legislation returned by the Governor with conditional vetoes during that time.
Raising the bar for late-session lawmaking
Currently, only a simple majority is needed to pass or reconsider legislation — 21 votes in the Senate and 41 in the Assembly. Kanitra’s amendment would increase that to 27 and 54 votes respectively during the lame duck session, aiming to prevent outgoing or short-term lawmakers from advancing major policy changes without broad bipartisan support.
The measure explicitly exempts reconsiderations of bills returned by the Governor with a full veto, though any modified reenactment of conditionally vetoed measures would still require a two-thirds vote.
Ballot question required
If approved by the Legislature, the proposed amendment would go before voters at the next general election occurring more than three months after its final passage. The ballot question would ask New Jersey residents whether to amend the Constitution to mandate the higher voting standard for all legislative action taken during lame duck periods.
Aim to restore public trust
In his statement, Kanitra said the change would promote transparency and accountability by ensuring controversial or far-reaching bills cannot be rushed through after elections, when some legislators may no longer face voter scrutiny.
Assembly Concurrent Resolution 179 seeks to amend the New Jersey Constitution to require two-thirds legislative approval for bills and resolutions passed during lame duck sessions.