West Windsor, NJ, is consistently ranked as one of the best communities to live in the U.S.  Since 1993, West Windsor has avoided the divisive party politics and outside money influence that occurs on the national level and in partisan towns. Its non-partisan system means that there are no primary elections which exclude unaffiliated, or “Independent” voters, any qualified candidate can get on the ballot, individuals run based on local issues as opposed to national party politics, and an Independent, Democrat, and Republican can run together on the same ticket.  We believe that West Windsor is like a political oasis, in the midst of a partisan swamp. (Courtesy of Keep WW non-partisan) The group “WWForRepresentation” put a question on the November election ballot asking voters to vote “yes” to turn future elections “partisan”, under a guise that it will create greater “transparency”. The group filed its latest report with the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission on October 25, 2024. Its top funders by dollar amount are: $5,000 – “Iron Workers Local 399”, Hammonton (connections to Steve Sweeney) $2,500 – “Candidate Committee Friends of Dan Benson”, Hamilton $2,500 – “Solar Landscape Origination”, Asbury Park $2,500 – “Firsby for Freeholder”, Trenton $2,500 – “John A Kemler for Sheriff”, Hamilton $2,500 – “Kristin McLaughlin for County Commissioner”, Pennington $2,500 – “Stokes for Mercer County Commissioner”, Ewing $1,500 – “SJS Strategies”, Monroe $1,000 – “Fairview Insurance Agency Associates”, Verona $1,000 – “Forward Leadership”, Lawrenceville $1,000 – “Friends of Jon Cimino for Commissioner”, Hamilton $1,000 – “Trilon”, Denver, Colorado $500 –  “Craig Guy for Hudson County Ex”, Jersey City Notice anything about the locations?  NONE of these top funders is a local individual from West Windsor! Not a single one! (Courtesy of Keep WW non-partisan) In total, over 85% of the “yes” campaign’s $31K in funding is from outside special interests with political connections. Their top donor is a South Jersey union with connections to a state-level party boss. Accounts tied to Benson, Frisby, Kemler, McLaughlin, Stokes, Cimino – all campaigns for Mercer County politicians who do not live in West Windsor.  Other donors include out-of-town companies and lobbying entities. These are not coincidences, it’s a coordinated effort by a party machine. Why are these politically connected outsiders giving money to change West Windsor’s elections?  What have they been promised in return?  What’s in it for them? In stark contrast, Keep West Windsor NonPartisan (www.keepwwnonpartisan.com), which advocates residents to “Vote NO” on the ballot question, has raised $13K, all of which is from actual local human beings from West Windsor, from across the political spectrum.  Almost half its funding (47%) comes from contributions of $200 or less, an indication of true grass-roots support. The pro-partisan “yes” side tries to oversimplify the election issue, saying it’s just adding a D or R to the candidates. The reality is so much more than this.  One, Independent, or non-affiated voters, comprise the largest voting bloc in West Windsor at 44%.  If we go partisan, the 44% of our Independent voters would have to choose to be a D or R to vote in newly required primaries, and give up their status as Independents. An Independent CANNOT vote in a primary, unless they affiliate with one of the parties.  Two, the introduction of primaries would inject national political parties and their agendas and machinery into local municipal elections. And finally, in virtually all our neighboring Mercer County partisan town’s elections (12 of 13 elections this year in Princeton, Ewing, Hightstown, Hopewell, and Pennington), a party-backed nominee faces no competition in either the primary election OR the general election.  The election is meaningless, and whoever the party leaders pick is anointed the position.  Voters end up with ZERO choice.  The “yes” team likes to talk about voter turnout – what’s the incentive for people to turn out to vote if there is only one candidate on the ballot? What about an Independent candidate, you ask? Well, of 57 elected offices in Mercer County partisan towns, there are ZERO independents.  In a partisan system, an Independent cannot hope to compete with a major party-backed candidate and the associated money and campaign apparatus. Special interest money is a prelude to the future. It’s a blatant power grab by the county and state political machine, and their allies.  Local issues should be decided by elected officials who are only accountable to our residents, not these outside groups.  West Windsor’s elections are NOT for sale! We urge residents to Vote “NO” on the ballot question, and reject this unprecedented outside influence. — Andy Lupo, Joe Charles, and Meena Tomar KeepWWNonPartisan is a grass roots group of Independents, Democrats, and Republicans dedicated to keeping West Windsor free from partisan politics.  Andy Lupo, 38-year resident, is the chairperson, Joe Charles, 16 year resident, is the vice-chair, and Meena Tomar, 16 year resident, is the treasurer.