Published January 14, 2015
A federal judge refused Wednesday to order a special election to replace Gov. James E. McGreevey (search).
U.S. District Judge Garrett E. Brown Jr. (search) dismissed a lawsuit that claimed McGreevey had effectively created a vacancy by saying he would step down on Nov. 15.
But McGreevey has not left office and there is no vacancy to fill by a special election, Brown said.
"He clearly intends to hold office until Nov. 15, 2004. The requirement of holding a special election does not arise. The rights of registered voters are not being violated," Brown said.
Last week, Brown heard arguments by two Princeton lawyers who filed a lawsuit days after McGreevey resigned a month ago after announcing that he was gay and had engaged in an extramarital affair with a man.
The lawyers, Bruce Afran and Carl Mayer, argued that by staying in office until there is not time enough to schedule a special election, McGreevey is depriving voters of their constitutional rights.
The state Attorney General's Office argued that McGreevey has not officially resigned because he hasn't submitted a letter of resignation to the secretary of state.
Under state law, if McGreevey had left office before Sept. 3, a special election would have been called for Nov. 2. But now, Senate President Richard J. Codey (search), D-Essex, will succeed McGreevey as acting governor until the term expires in January 2006.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/judge-no-special-vote-to-replace-mcgreevey