>> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING FOR "CHAT BOX" WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART HEAT NJ.

THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

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PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY INSIDER NJ, A POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK DEDICATED TO NEW JERSEY POLITICAL NEWS.

INSIDER NJ IS COMMITTED TO GIVING SERIOUS POLITICAL PLAYERS AN INTERACTIVE FORUM FOR IDEAS, DISCUSSION, AND INSIGHT.

ONLINE AT INSIDERNJ.COM.

[Background music] >>> HI, EVERYBODY, WELCOME TO "CHAT BOX."

THIS THE IS OUR FINAL SHOW BEFORE HE ELECTION DAY AND WE'LL HEAR FROM ONE OF THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AND GET YOU READY FOR ELECTION DAY WITH EARLY VOTING, HOW TO, WHERE TO AND WHEN.

THEN WE'LL HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON HOW CAN YOU QUALIFY AND APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE EXCLUDED NEW JERSEY FUND.

THAT IS AM KOG UP NEXT.

WE BEGIN TODAY WITH THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR, JACK CHITTERELLI.

WE EXTENDED THE SAME INVITATION TO THE MURPHY CAMPAIGN BUT THEY COULDN'T MAKE IT WORK.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN.

WELCOME.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, DAVID.

SO WHEN YOU STARTED THIS RACE BACK IN JANUARY OF '20, I ASKED YOU ABOUT THE 2017 CAMPAIGN AND YOU SAID I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME.

THIS LATEST POLL HAS YOU DOWN 11 POINTS.

COULD YOU USE A COUPLE MORE WEEKS OF CAMPAIGNING?

>> I THINK WE'RE RIGHT WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT INTERNAL POLLS OUT OF BOTH CAMPS AND THEY LEAKED OUT OF MURPHY'S CAMP, THIS SAYS A DEAD HEAT AMONG LIKELY VOTERS.

OF THAT IS THE KEY HERE.

I WISH WE HAD LARGER TURNOUTS.

THIS IS PROBABLY LESS THAN 50%.

MOST LIKELY VOTERS, I THINK WE'RE RIGHT WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

>> LET ME GET INTO A COUPLE ISSUES WITH YOU.

YOU'RE AGAINST SO-CALLED VACCINE PASSPORTS.

THE CAMP IS SUGGESTING THAT MURPHY HAS A SECRET PLAN TO IMPOSE THEM.

EVEN THOUGH HE SAYS HE DOESN'T.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THERE IS GREAT CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY, DAVID.

I MEAN IT'S NO THE FIRST TIME THE GOVERNOR HASN'T BEEN TR TRANSPARENT WITH THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY.

WE SAW THAT IN NURSING HOMES.

THERE IS CONCERN THAT HE IS NOT DISCLOSING THE TRUE UNTENSIONS WITH REGARD TO VACCINE MANDATES OR VACCINE PASSPORTS.

I'VE BEEN TRANSPARENT ABOUT MY POSITIONS.

I LUS ENKEENLY.

I TRY TO COME UP WITH WHAT WORKS FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF NEW JERSEY JANUARYS.

BUT THERE IS GREAT CONCERN ABOUT THE GOVERNOR.

>> WHERE ARE YOU ON MANDATES AND WHERE ARE YOU ON THE PASSPORTS?

JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR?

>> BEEN VERY, VERY CLEAR AND CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN.

UNVACCINATED, I PROMOTED VACCINATION.

I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

AND I WANT TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS AROUND THE STATE LIKE THE ONE WE SAW IN PATTERSON WHICH IS DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB OF GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED INCLUDING THOSE WITH VACCINE HESITANCY.

I DO BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT HAS A RIGHT TO TELL PEOPLE THEY HAVE TO BE VACCINATED FOR THIS VIRUS?

I JUST DON'T.

MY JOB IS TO PROVIDE PEOPLE ALL THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION AND THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO IN PROMOTING, PRESERVING AND PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.

I'M NOT FOR VACCINE PASSPORTS.

BUT IF YOU OWN A RESTAURANT AND YOU WANT TO PUT A VACCINE PASSPORT POLICY IN PLACE WHERE NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO COME IN, THAT'S YOUR BUSINESS TO RUN.

I'M NOT GOING TO INVOLVE MYSELF IN YOUR BUSINESS.

>> SO ON THE ONE HAND YOU SAY YOU PROMOTE VACCINES AND YOU WANT EVERYBODY TO GET VACCINATED.

BUT YOU WOULDN'T MANDATE IT.

I'M ASSUMING THE REASON YOU WANT PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED IS BECAUSE IT'S BETTER FOR THE GENERAL HEALTH OF THE POP LAUGS.

SHOULDN'T GOVERNMENT PLAY A ROLE IN THAT AS WELL?

>> DAVID, I WANT PEOPLE TO STOP SMOKING.

WE HAVE PROGRAMS TO TRY TO GET YOU TO NOT SMOKE.

BUT DO WE PUT A LAW IN PLACE THAT SAYS IT'S AGAINST THE LAW TO SMOKE?

WE DON'T DO THAT.

I'LL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO PROMOTE, PRESERVE AND PUBLIC PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.

THAT'S WHAT A GOVERNOR SHOULD DO.

THE THING THAT IS LOST IS WE'RE THE MOST DIVERSE STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THE RACES, RELIGIONS, CULTURES, THERE ARE MANY VIEWPOINTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND MY JOB IS TO SHUT DOWN ANY ONE OF THOSE WITH MY POLICIES.

YOU WANT TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE EVERYONE SO WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

>> IS IT YOUR SENSE THAT WE'RE PAST THE WORST WHEN IT COMES TO COVID-19?

>> WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT VARIANTS, DAVID.

WE SEE THAT WITH THE ANNUAL FLU.

EACH YEAR IT COMES BACK.

THE VACCINE IS DIFFERENT FROM THE YEAR BEFORE.

WE NEED TO BE VIGILANT.

HERE'S GOT NEWS.

WHERE WE SIT TODAY, WE'RE IN A GOOD SPOT.

I TIP MY CAP TO PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY.

AGAIN, UNDER THE GOVERNOR, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY VACCINE MANDATES FOR ADULTS OR CHILDREN.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST CRITICISMS OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, IT'S NOT YOURS ALONE, THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER 8,000 DEAD SENIORS AND VETERANS PARTICULARLY DURING EARLIEST DA DAYS OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS.

THESE WERE RESIDENTS OF LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES.

WHAT WOULD A GOVERNOR CHITTERELLI DONE DIFFERENTLY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT THESE FOLKS ARE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES?

>> NEW JERSEY IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY BEING INVESTIGATED FOR NURSING HOME DEATHS BY JOE BIDEN'S DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

LET'S NOT FORGET THE GREATEST NUMBERS OF DEATHS TOOK PLACE IN THE NURSING HOMES OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE STATE WHICH IS WHY OUR VETERANS ARE.

THE GOVERNOR REALLY BLEW IT HERE WHEN IT CAME TO THIS.

THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO LEAD THE NATION IN NURSING HOME DEATHS.

I WOULD CALL FOR INVESTIGATIONAL HEARINGS WITH SUBPOENA POWER.

WE HAD SOMETHING TAKE PLACE IN NEW JERSEY KNOWN AS BRIDGEGATE.

NOBODY DIED.

AND THE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE HAD INVESTIGATIONAL HEARINGS WITH SUBPOENA POWER.

HERE WE HAVE THIS NURSING HOME SITUATION.

THERE IS NO TALK OF INVESTIGATIONAL HEARINGS.

>> WHERE WOULD THE FOLKS HAVE GONE THEN?

I MEAN, THEY WERE COMING FROM A HOSPITAL, RETURNING TO THEIR ACTUAL HOMES WHERE THEY LIVE.

WHERE WOULD YOU HAVE KEPT THEM?

>> DAVID, OTHER STATES CREATED FIELD HOSPITALS.

IN HOTELS AND THE LIKE.

BY PUTTING COVID-19 PATIENTS IN NURSING HOMES, FOUND THAT TAPE IN OUR COMMERCIAL.

THE NURSING HOME OPERATOR SAID TO THE GOVERNOR'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ON THE CALL, YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU'RE ASKING US TO DO?

PEOPLE WILL DIE.

AND BY THE WAY, DAVID, I MEAN THAT'S WHAT THE GOVERNOR ALWAYS SAID.

THESE PEOPLE ARE RETURNING HOME.

THAT WASN'T THE CASE.

THAT WASN'T THE DMASCASE.

THESE WITH VICOVID-19 PATIENTS BEING SENT TO A HOME THEY NEVER LUFD BEFORE.

IF MY MOTHER WAS AWAY ON VACATION FOR A MONTH AND BEFORE RETURNING HOME WE FOUND OUT THERE WAS A NATURAL GAS LEAK IN THE HOUSE, WOULD WE PUT HER BACK IN THE HOUSE?

I DON'T THINK SO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE STATE'S SEGREGATED SCHOOLS AND YOUR ANSWER HAS BEEN TO POINT THE FINGER AT THE OTHER GUY AND SAY THAT HE'S FAILED URBAN NEW JERSEY.

WHAT'S THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH ABOUT THIS PROGRESSIVE GOVERNOR AND PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE STATE AS YOU SEE IT?

>> HE FAILED THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

THE MOST PROMINENT BLACK PASTOR IN THE STATE DAVID JEFFERSON SAID TO HIM IN A "STAR LEDGER" INTERVIEW, YOU FAILED THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

YOU CAN'T TREAT BLACK PEOPLE THIS WAY.

I MEAN HE'S DONE NOTHING TO HELP THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN PLAGUED YOU ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT.

>> HOW DO YOU CHANGE THAT?

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT YOUR APPROACH?

>> I'M GOING TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS CAPITAL THAT IS INVESTED IN THOSE COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT BENEFITS THE CURRENT RESIDENTS.

I'M NOT ABOUT THIS.

I'M NOT ABOUT PEOPLE BEING DISLOCATED OR RELOCATED.

WE NEED TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY LEADERS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE WORST INJUSTICE OF ALL, ECONOMIC INJUSTICE.

WE HAVE ECONOMIC INJUSTICES HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

WE NEED TO REVITALIZE OUR URBAN CENTERS.

AND THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THERE IS BLACK PEOPLE LIVING PRIMARILY.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT ONLY 2% OF STATE CONTRACTS GOING TO MINORITY FIRMS.

YOU ARE COMMITTING TO MORE MINORITY 5:00 AS TO CONTRACTS OR CABINET POSITIONS?

WHAT CAN -- WHAT CAN YOU SAY THAT IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT NOTICEABLY DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE WAY YOU APPROACH ACCESS FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THE WAY THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS?

>> ONE WAY TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN MY MINORITY COMMUNITIES IS BY ALLOWING THEM ACCESS TO HAVE MORE STATE CONTRACTS.

AND SO I JUSTIN TO USE THE STATISTICS USED BY THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN CRITICIZING PHIL MURPH YIFRMENT THE ONLY BLACK OWNED ASSET MANAGEMENT FURM IN THE STATE IS SUING PHIL MURPHY FOR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

IT WASN'T GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE PENSION FUNDS.

I THINK THAT SAYS IT ALL.

>> SO THE POLL THAT WE TALK ABOUT EARLIER FOUND THAT TAXES AND THE ECONOMY WERE THE TOP ISSUES OF VOTERS.

YOU HAVE BEEN HITTING THAT HARD.

ESPECIALLY.

HOW DOES THE CIATTARELLI ECONOMIC PLAN DIFFERENT FROM PHIL MURPHY'S?

>> NUMBER ONE, I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO LOWER PROPERTY TAXES AND NEW JERSEYIANS AGREE.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES IN THE NATION.

PHIL MURPHY NERVE TALKS ABOUT LOWERING PROPERTY TAXES.

WE CAN DO THAT.

THAT DOESN'T LEAVE ANY STUDENT, ANY CHUILD, ANY STUDENT BEHIND.

WE NEED TO MAKE NEW JERSEY A MUCH BETTER PLACE TO DO BUSINESS SO WE CAN CREATE JOBS.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE THE GOVERNOR OF A STATE THAT HAS THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAX IN THE NATION AND IS KNOWN AS BEING THE WORST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY TO DO BUSINESS.

I MEAN THAT'S JUST A DEATH SPIRAL ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING.

THOSE ARE CHANGES WE'RE PUTTING IN PLACE TO CHANGE THOSE TWO FACTS.

>> WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT THE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HERE.

BUT THE FACT IS THAT A LOT OF COMPANIES AND BUSINESSES ARE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYERS -- EMPLOYEES AND A LOT OF EMPLOYEES ARE OUT THERE.

NOT WORKING.

RATHER THAN GOING BACK TO WORK IN WHAT THEY FEEL IS A JOB THAT DOESN'T PAY ENOUGH OR DOESN'T PROVIDE ENOUGH OF A LOT OF THINGS THEY NEED AND WANT.

HOW DO YOU GET THESE EMPLOYEES BACK TO WORK?

>> DAVID, WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE NATION.

YET, EVERYWHERE YOU GO THERE IS A HELP WANTED SIGN.

THOSE TWO THINGS ARE HE TOTALLY UNCONGRUENT.

THERE IS ALWAYS HARDSHIP CASES.

I WILL PROVIDE THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET.

BUT WE HAVE TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

AND THE WAY DO YOU THAT IS STOP BEING SO DARN GENEROUS WITH ALL THE UNEMPLOYMENT BEN FUTS.

HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR VERIFY WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WORK AS A CONDITION OF GETTING YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND STOP WITH THE EVICTION MORATORIUM.

EVERYONE THAT HAS A HELP WANTED SIGN, THEY SAY I'M WILLING TO WORK BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY ME CASH.

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

>> LAST QUESTION BEFORE I LET YOU GO.

WE SHOULD BE SEEING FEDERAL APPROVAL FOR VACCINE FOR KIDS 5-11.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO PARENTS OF KIDS WHO ARE IN THAT AGE-GROUP?

ASIDE FROM IT'S A PARENT'S CHOICE.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT?

WOULD YOU HAVE HAD YOUR YOUNGSTERS TAKING THE SHOT WERE THEY IN THAT AGE-GROUP?

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN THECLINICAL TL RESULTS.

YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM.

I'D LIKE TO SEE HOW BIG THE SAMPLE SIZE WAS IN WHICH THE DRUG WAS TESTED.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WANT TO BELIEVE THAT THE FDA BELIEVE IT IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS ALSO UP TO PARENTS WHETHER OR NOT CHILDREN SHOULD BE VACCINATED FOR COVID-19 OR THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> ALL RIGHT, JACK CIHATTARELLI, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND BEING ACCESSIBLE.

GOOD LUCK YOU TO.

>> MY PLEASURE, DAVID.

>> VOTING IN NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR A WEEK NOW.

SO MANY WAYS TO VOTE.

IT CAN CREATE CONFUSION REALLY.

OF IF YOU HAVEN'T VOTED YET, WE'RE JOINED BY AARON GREEN, THE ASSOCIATE COUNCIL AT THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE THE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, DAVID.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

>> SO EARLY VOTING, ABSENTEE VOTING, VOTING BY MAIL.

DROP BOXES, IN PERSON.

AS WE SAY AROUND THE WAY, QUE PASA.

LOTS OF BECAUSE TO VOTE.

DOES IT MEAN MORE VOTERS?

>> YES.

SO THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO VOTE, FIVE BECAUSE TO VOTE AS YOU MENTION.

WE CAN VOTE BY MAIL, DROP BOX, YOU ALSO CAN VOTE IN PERSON.

AND ALSO DURING EARLY VOTING PERIOD IN NEW JERSEY.

AND ALSO WITH THE VOTE BY MAUL BALLOT.

SO WE'RE SEEING A GREAT EXCITEMENT AROUND EARLY VOTING AND WITH OUR EFFORT WHICH I KNOW WE'LL DISCUSS LATER.

WE'RE REALLY GLAD BECAUSE HERE IN NEW JERSEY AS WE SEE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, RESTRICTIONS ON VOTING RIGHTS BEING PRESENTED, WE WANT TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN NEW JERSEY.

WE'RE SO GLAD TO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL WAY, OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE IN PERSON.

>> THERE'S BEEN A FEW DAWES NOW WITH EARLY VOTING.

WHAT HAVE WE SEEN IN TERMS OF NUMBERS?

ANYTHING TO CAUGHT THAT, YOU KNOW, EARLY VOTING IS A HOME RUN?

>> YEAH.

SO THE FIRST DAY WAS OVER 20,000 PEOPLE.

AND WITH OUR EFFORT, WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH A NUMBER OF HOUSES OF WORSHIP IN EIGHT COUNTIES TO PUT TOGETHER EFFORTS WHICH IS A TRADITION IN THE BLACK CHURCH WHERE AFTER WORSHIP THEY GO TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

SO WE HAVE SEEN NUMBERS ACTUALLY WHERE THE PERCENTAGES OF BLACK AND LATIN EX VOTERS, WE WANT TO INCREASE GOING FORWARD.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE INITIATIVES LIKE THIS THAT FOCUS IN ON THE COMMUNITIES TO -- SO THEY CAN KNOW ABOUT THE EARLY VOTING PROCESS.

AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

ONE THING WE KNOW, DAVID, ONE THING TO GET LEGISLATION PASSED.

BUT ANOTHER PART TO GET COMMUNITIES EDUCATED ON IT AND TO KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUES.

THE SO WE'RE PUTTING OUT A LOT OF INFORMATION WITH OUR PARTNERS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF EFFORTS ON THE GROUND TO MAKE PEOPLE KNOW IT'S POSSIBLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE EARLY RIGHT FROM OCTOBER 23rd TO THE 31st.

UP IN UNTIL SUNDAY PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAST A BALLOT EARLY IN NEW JERSEY.

>> SO JUST AS A CLEARING HOUSE FOR INFORMATION, FOLKS SHOULD GO TO NJISJ.ORG/VOTE?

>> YES.

>> NJISJ.ORG/VOTE.

>> YES.

WE HAVE OUR VOTER INFORMATION FLYERS.

THEY HAVE THE FIVE BECAUSE TO VOTE.

ALSO THE IMPORTANT DEADLINE.

SO WITH YOUR VOTE BY MAIL, YOU HAVE TO HAVE POSTMARKED BY NOVEMBER 2nd.

IT MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 8th.

AND WITH THE DROP BOXES, HAVE THEM IN THE DROP BOX BY NOVEMBER 2nd 8:00 P.M. AND ALSO ON OUR WEBSITE, WE HAVE ABOUT 40 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS THAT COMMONLY COME UP AND THE ANSWERS TO THEM.

AND LASTLY, I'LL MAKE A PLUG WE HAVE OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND SOME OF THE SERVICES.

OR IF YOU WANT TO FIND BECAUSE TO GET INVOLVED IN YOUR HOUSE OF WORSHIP TO GET INVOLVED.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO ORGANIZE EFFORTS TO ARE THIS WEEKEND.

SO IF I'M GOING TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY, WHAT DO I NEED IN TERMS OF DOCUMENTATION?

>> YEAH.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO IDENTIFICATION, LUCKILY HERE IN NEW JERSEY, YOU'RE NOT REQUIRED TO SHOW A PHOTO ID.

ONLY TIME THAT WILL COME UP IS IF SOME FORM OF IDENTIFYING DOCUMENT THAT THEY'LL NEED IS -- IF YOU DID NOT PUT, FOR INSTANCE, YOUR ID NUMBER OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON YOUR REGISTRATION FORM.

IF YOU ARE ASKED FOR YOUR ID AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CALL 866-OUR-VOTE.

CALL THAT BECAUSE WE'RE PART OF A NEW JERSEY ELECTION PROTECTION COALITION.

WE ARE WORKING DURING EARLY VOTING PERIOD EVERY DAY, ALL THE HOURS ON ELECTION DAY OVER TIME TO PROTECT VOTERS.

THE IF THERE IS ANY ISSUE YOU FACE AT THE POLLING LOCATIONS AND JUST UNSURE ABOUT, IF YOU SEE ANY FORM OF SUPPRESSION, PLEASE CALL 866-OUR-VOTE.

THE WE'RE HERE TO HELP AND ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN.

>> AM I RIGHT THAT BIG CUMBERSOME SIGNATURE BOOKS ARE BEING PHASED OUT?

>> NOW THAT WE HAVE ELECTRONIC VOTE BOOKS IN NEW JERSEY THIS JUST HELPS SO MUCH TO MOVE US IN THIS NEW AGE OF VOTING.

IT ALLOWS FOR, YOU KNOW, NEW PROCESS THAT'S WE'RE LOOKING TO EXPAND.

AND HAVING ACTUALLY A CLOUD, RIGHT?

A CLOUD THAT THE POLL WORKERS CAN UTILIZE.

MAKES HE EVERYTHING EASIER, SMOOTH ARE.

WE'RE VERY HOPEFUL AND WE'RE SO GLAD THAT NEW JERSEY IS TAKING THIS BIG STANCE AS WE ALSO LOOK FOR OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

WE HAVE ACTUAL CAMPAIGN OUT TO PUSH FOR SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION.

OVER 20 STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C. HAVE SAME DAY REGISTRATION AND WE HAVE A CAMPAIGN WE'RE HOPING TO GET THAT PASSED NEXT.

SO WE'RE WORKING OVERTIME TO, YOU KNOW, CELEBRATE THE VICTORIES WE HAVE AND THINK ABOUT BECAUSE WE IN NEW JERSEY CAN EXPAND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE NOT LEFT OUT FROM VOTING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S HOPE THAT MORE VOTING OPTION OPTIONS MEANS MORE VOTERS.

AARON GREEN, AARON, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING A FEW MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU, DAVID.

I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> THIS WEEK MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS FOR REGISTERING TO QUALIFY FOR THE EXCLUDED NEW JERSEYIANS FUND.

THAT IS THE $40 MILLION FUND CREATED BY THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO HELP THE UNDOCUMENTED AND OTHERS WHO WEREN'T ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE IN THE WAKE OF COVID-19.

MAKE THE ROAD NEW JERSEY ORGANIZING INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR YOU TO FIND OUT HOW YOU MAO BE AUTOMOBILE TO QUALIFY.

HERE TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THAT TO US IN CASE YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE SESSIONS IS THE ORGANIZING DIRECTOR OF MAKE THE ROAD NEW JERSEY.

WELCOME BACK TO "CHAT BOX."

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU, DAVID.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO WHO QUALIFIES FOR THIS FUND?

IT'S NOT ONLY UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS.

WHO ALL QUALIFIES?

>> YES.

IT IS ANYONE WHO WAS INELIGIBLE FOR INPLOUMENT AND DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECKS.

IF YOU DID HAVE CHILDREN THAT RECEIVED THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, YOU STILL CAN QUALIFY FOR THE FUND.

IT'S ABOUT DID YOU NOT RECEIVE THIS UNEMPLOYMENT?

YOU DIDN'T RECEIVE FOR YOURSELF ON THE FEDERAL STIMULUS?

IT'S FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE AN INCOME OF $55,000 A YEAR OR LESS.

RESIDENTS OF NEW JERSEY AND HAVE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND WERE AFFECTED FINANCIALLY BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> SO WHAT IS THIS PROCESS LIKE?

>> YES:SO THE APPLICATION LINK IS ALREADY LIVE ON THE WEBSITE.

AND IN ORDER FOR FOLKS TO APPLY, THEY FIRST RUN INTO A SCREENING ELI ELI ELIGIBILITY THAT WILL RUN THROUGH THE ELIGIBILITY I MENTIONED BEFOREHAND.

FROM THERE, FOLKS ANSWER A SERIES OF QUESTIONS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE FOUR CATEGORIES.

THE FIST IS, YOU KNOW, DID YOU NOT RECEIVE, YOU KNOW, ANY BENEFITS OR STIMULUS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

YOU KNOW, YOUR AGE AND RESIDENCY, YOUR PROOF OF INCOME AND PROOF OF COVID-19 IMPACT.

AND THEN YOU'LL BE UPLOADING DOCUMENTS, YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS REALLY INCREDIBLE ABOUT THE STATE IS THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO BE AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE AND SO UNDER EACH OF THOSE FOUR CATEGORIES, YOU'RE GOING TO FIND A WIDE RANGE OF OPTIONS FOR FOLKS TO SUBMIT AND UPLOAD DOCUMENT THAT'S WILL SHOW PROOF OF EACH OF THOSE CATEGORIES.

AND THEN IF A APPLICANT IS ELIGIBLE AND THE STATE DEEMS YOU CAN RECEIVE FUNDS, THEN YOU RECEIVE A MESSAGE BACK IN THE WAY THAT YOU PREFER, TEXT MESSAGE, E-MAIL, PHONE CALL AT WHICH POINT THE STATE WILL ASK YOU FOR HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE YOUR FUNDS.

BY DIRECT DEPOSIT, CHECK OR GIFT CARD AND SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED HOW INCLUS -- INCLUSIVE AND AT THE START IT SEEMS TO BE.

>> ALWAYS IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, THE UNDOCUMENTED SHOULD KNOW DON'T BE AFRAID TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT'S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYBODY REPORTING YOUR STATUS TO ANYBODY.

THAT SHOULD BE SAID UP FRONT, PARTICULARLY FOR CERTAIN FOLKS.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR?

WHAT WILL THEY BE ABLE TO RECEIVE?

>> YES.

SO VUDZ CAN RECEIVE A $1,000 ONE TIME CASH PAYMENT.

HOUSEHOLDS CAN RECEIVE A $2,000 ONE TIME CASH PAYMENT.

AND, AGAIN, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOUSEHOLD, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOLKS THAT ARE FINANCIALLY DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER.

SO A GREAT EXAMPLE IS A MARRIED COUPLE WHO DIDN'T RECEIVE THE FEDERAL STIMULUS.

ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE IS, YOU KNOW, I AM SINGLE ADULT DAUGHTER AND I TAKE CARE OF MY ELDERLY MOTHER.

WE WOULD APPLY AS A HOUSEHOLD.

THAT IS HOW THE STATE IS DEFINING HOUSEHOLDS.

IT IS A ONE TIME CASH PAYMENT.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, WHILE THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY GREAT FOR THEM, IT'S GOING TO COVER 10% OF THE POPULATION OF EXCLUDED WORKERS HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

SO WE'RE EXECUTED TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO WIN MORE OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> THAT'S A BIG ISSUE.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR FOLKS?

>> YES.

GREAT POINT.

SO THE DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 31st.

APPLICANTS MUST HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED AND BE REVIEWED FOR APPROVAL OR REJECTION NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31st.

IF WE HAVE NOT USED THE FUNDS IN THE ENTIRETY BY DECEMBER 31st, BECAUSE IT IS CARES ACT FUNDING, THAT MONEY MUST ALL BE RETURNED BACK.

SO IT IS INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE ARE APPLYING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE FEAR.

THIS IS AN EMERGENCY FUND AND THAT PEOPLE TRY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE NOT TO SELF EVALUATE.

THE BEST THING CAN YOU DO FOR YOURSELF AND FAMILY IS IF YOU FEEL, YOU KNOW, YOU DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL AID, APPLY.

DO NOT TRY TO SELF EVALUATE.

WE HAVE THE STATE READY TO GO AND PREPARED TO HELP DO THAT EVALUATION ALONGSIDE YOU.

>> IS THERE A TELEPHONE NUMBER WHERE FOLKS CAN CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION?

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

SO THE BEST WAY TO REACH THE ORGANIZATION IS TO CONTACT US THROUGH THE SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES, FACEBOOK, MAKETHEROADNEW JERSEY.

AND FROM THERE YOU'LL BE AUTOMOBILE TO FIND OUR LINK.

IF FOLKS WANT TO TEXT THAT DIRECTLY, YOU'RE TEXTING ALIVIO TO THE NUMBER 52886.

SO TEXT ALIVIO TO 52886EN THAT IS A GREAT WAY TO SORT OF PIPELINE YOURSELF DIRECTLY TO ONE OF OUR HELPERS HERE THAT IS ABLE TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOU ONE-ON-ONE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE SUBMITTING ON TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU'RE ORGANIZING DIRECTOR FOR MAKE THE ROAD NEW JERSEY.

THANK YOU.

WE'LL BE FOLLOWING UP WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

BYE, EVERYBODY.

>> THAT'S "CHAT BOX" FOR TODAY.

THANKS ALSO TO AARON GREEN AND JACK CIATARELLI.

I'LL BE AT THE DESK JOINED BY MICHAEL HILL AND COLLEEN O'DAY AND WE HAVE THE SPOTLIGHT TEAM COVERING THE REST OF THE STATE LIVE TUESDAY NIGHT AT 10:00 P.M.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THAT.

BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO GET MORE "CHAT BOX " AND "REPORTERS ROUN TABLE."

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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