Why Tuesday?

The Governor will not be able to attend as he is heading to Cleveland for the debate. Below is what the Governor has said on the issue. Governor Christie Said His Administration Has Made Sure People Have A Full Opportunity To Vote And Has Encouraged People To Vote SENATOR BARBARA BUONO: 'Governor, a few months ago the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act which protects poor and minorities' right to vote. At the time you were asked numerous times what your opinion was and you failed to respond, and in the aftermath of the Voting Rights Act Republican governors across the country are restricting the rights of poor and minority voters to exercise their right to vote. Are you ready to give an opinion? Was the Supreme Court wrong to gut the Voting Rights Act?' GOVERNOR CHRISTIE: 'Well I know you're talking about other Republican governors but you're not talking about this one, because this Republican governor has not moved one inch to restrict people's right to vote. In fact, what we've done is make sure that people have a full opportunity to vote. In fact tonight as we speak people are voting in New Jersey. Vote by mail ballots are out and people can nowvote in New Jersey as we speak, and so I'd rather instead of giving opinions rather let my conduct show what my record is, and my conduct has been this: we're encouraging people to vote, we want people to vote. I want as many people to vote. Believe me on November 5th l want as many people out there to vote as they possibly can, and we're looking forward to that vote and we're looking forward to the result.' (First Gubernatorial Debate. 10/8/13)

"Nothing is more fundamental to our sacred democracy than the right to vote. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, we recognize those who played a central role in America’s long tradition of expanding freedom. They helped bridge the gap between promise and reality in America. "While today should be a joyous occasion celebrating the efforts of those who sacrificed so much for this sacred right, it's also a reminder that progress is not permanent. The right to vote in America is still under threat. "In 2013, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act and opened the door for restrictive voting laws. The following year, under the guise of preventing voter fraud – a virtually nonexistent problem in America – lawmakers in 29 states introduced more than 80 bills to curtail the right to vote. "To address these threats to our core civil rights, we need a solution that will guarantee the right to vote for all Americans, once and for all. The strongest and most comprehensive way to do that is through a constitutional amendment that enshrines the fundamental right to vote. This bold step would give U.S. courts the clarity and authority they need to strike down voter suppression efforts, defend Americans’ voting rights, and protect the integrity of our democracy for generations to come."

Dr. Martin Luther King is one of my heroes and inspirations. He had an enormous influence on my generation. I included in my announcement for president a quote from Dr. King: 'Where do we go from here -  chaos or community?' It is clear that community means respect for the right for Americans to vote. As president I promise to strengthen those rights.