So now it's legal for Conservative states to play this game, too. Now "everybody will be doing it."
States that are boarderline can have Conservative courts to swing for them, without repercussion. Just point to "The NJ ethics."
Actually, whether or not another state can do the same thing would depend on the state and that state's constitution. The NJ Supreme Court essentially said that the law 51-day limit on changes to the ballot did nothing to address a vacancy within the 51 days. Other state constitutions might address this issue.
For the record, I'm not agreeing or disagreeing w/ the NJ Supreme Court...nearly telling you what their ruling said.
I have more faith in the Americans who live in New Jersey. The current poll that has Lautenberg leading the Senate race also states that one out of five NJ pollees who said that the events leading to Lautenberg's place on the ballot were "unethical" were going to vote for him anyway.
Those people will vote GOP or opt out. If they have the integrity and conscience to know about this scam, and think it is "unfair" or "dishonest" ... they won't vote for Lautenberg in the privacy of the booth even though they tell the survey interrogator otherwise. They see, acknowledge and state the fraud. I have faith they won't vote for that cynical and empty skeletor who's replacing that cynical and empty mobster.
Why? The understanding of unfairness trumps the desire to elect another democrat. There are 35% of the NJ electorate who do NOT view this dirty trick outrage as unfair or outrageous. They are irredeemable. They are Dems.
The GOP needs to find and nurture that 10% of our electorate who vote Dem out of stupid legacy or custom. They're hated, oppressed and generally getting jobbed by the Dems, and they need to be told.