[deport]

From another article which seems to indicate that Jersey law can allow for the election to be cancelled if the resignation comes within 30 days of Nov. 5 and rescheduled. So there is a time frame of 6 days for all this to happen since a replacement is beyond naming now that it's below 48 days....

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Under New Jersey law, a political party can replace a statewide nominee on the ballot if the person drops out at least 48 days before the election. But only 36 days remain until the Nov. 5 election, meaning Democrats would have to seek approval from the state attorney general. That would likely result in a court challenge from Republicans.

Under state law, if a candidate resigns his office or dies with more than 30 days to the election, the governor can appoint a new candidate. If it happens with less than 30 days before the election, the race can be canceled and the governor can set a new date for a special election.

[marajade]

How could they do this? Wouldn't it be against the US Constitution which has jurisdiction over federal candidates?

[Timesink]

Under New Jersey law, a political party can replace a statewide nominee on the ballot if the person drops out at least 48 days before the election. But only 36 days remain until the Nov. 5 election, meaning Democrats would have to seek approval from the state attorney general. That would likely result in a court challenge from Republicans. ... Under state law, if a candidate resigns his office or dies with more than 30 days to the election, the governor can appoint a new candidate. If it happens with less than 30 days before the election, the race can be canceled and the governor can set a new date for a special election.

Thanks for the info. But I don't think that the second part of that state law could survive a federal constitutional challenge. Like others have said, if we use these rules, what's to stop McGreevey from setting the date of the "special election" to be election day 2012? And if the attorney general allows the first law to be arbitrarily waived, I think you've got the exact same situation as what SCOFLA did in 2000: The RATS changing the laws in the middle of the game purely in order to retain power. And the SCOTUS will smack that down just like they did Florida.