Now in his second term, Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin continues to listen to his constituents and represent them in Trenton.

Not only has the Assemblyman met head-on the toughest issues facing New Jersey, but he’s helped constituents cut through the bureaucracy and find simple solutions to complex problems.

When Assemblyman Giblin took office, he made a promise- a promise to serve, to represent and to lead all resident’s residing in New Jersey’s 34th District.

On that promise, he has delivered.  From health-care and education to transportation and the environment, Assemblyman Giblin has made the voice of those he represents heard.

Assemblyman Giblin will continue to bring attention to the most pressing issues, interests and concerns facing all those living in Montclair, Glen Ridge, East Orange, Clifton and West Paterson.

Today in his office, every call is answered, every letter replied and every visit welcomed. As your advocate in Trenton and your resource at home, Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin continues to live his promise.

Assemblyman Giblin’s door is always open to serve all those residing in New Jersey’s 34th Legislative District.*

*Excerpted from: www.assemblymangiblin.com

REDISTRICTING

New Jersey is one of only 13 states that use a commission-based redistricting method, as opposed to legislatively drawn districts. And, while many voters are interested in how the districts are drawn, only two political parties, Democrats and Republicans, are invited to the table to draw the maps.

The goal of these political parties is to simultaneously protect as many incumbents as possible while maximizing the possibility of gaining more seats. Democrats and Republicans use the term "community of interests" to explain why they customarily create such strangely drawn districts. Yet each perceived "community of interests" is not geographic, economic or ethnic -- it is based on who is likely to vote for "their" party.

Five Republicans and five Democrats have been appointed to draw New Jersey's new legislative and congressional boundaries. The New Jersey Supreme Court selects an 11th voting member to act when the predictable stalemate occurs. This year, because both parties recommended the same person, it appears that Rutgers University Public Policy Professor Alan Rosenthal will serve as the commission's 11th member. But despite the fact that more than half of all New Jersey voters describe themselves as "unaffiliated," there are no unaffiliated citizens on the commission.

The result of this process is that most districts lean heavily toward one party or the other; and only a few are competitive in general elections. In fact, most turnover in legislative seats occurs because of resignation rather than defeat at the polls. This lack of competition results in long tenures in the New Jersey Legislature and in the increasing failure of some longtime members to pay attention to the concerns of their citizens and municipalities.

Additional problems include our state's very low voter turnout. In 2007, only 31 percent of all registered voters participated in a "Legislature-only election" -- the same type of election we'll have this November. In 2009, only 40 percent of registered voters participated in electing our governor, compared to a 2008 turnout of 73 percent when there was also a competitive presidential election.

Noncompetitive districts also encourage the election of highly partisan legislators, who may pay more attention to the wishes of their party than to the needs and desires of their district. And given today's extraordinary budget challenges, can New Jersey really afford so many scheduled elections? Perhaps consolidation of elections could save money and reduce incumbent protection that the current system promotes*

*Excerpted from: http://www.nj.com