NJ Senate Considers Measure to Allow for the Election of Attorney General

New Jersey lawmakers are proposing a constitutional amendment that would provide for the direct election of the state's attorney general.

Under the constitution the governor appoints the attorney general with the advice and consent of the state Senate.

The Senate states government committee is set to consider the proposal on Thursday.

The measure proposes giving the attorney general a four-year term and sets Election Day for the same time voters pick the governor and lieutenant governor.

The constitutional amendment must either be passed by a simple majority in two successive legislatures or by a three-fifths majority in one Legislature before going to the voters to decide.

The measure would need only to gain the support of a majority of voters.

The attorney general enforces the state's laws.