It hasn’t helped that counties no longer are receiving funds from former Gov. Jon Corzine. Over the past decade, he gave his fellow Democrats $4.3 million.

In both years fundraising is comparable to financial activity reported by county party committees in years prior to the reforms of 1993, indicating that their once dominant role is again weakening.

So the lesson in all this is that we should never underestimate the importance of reform in reshaping the electoral landscape. Historical patterns that seem set can be altered by the swipe of a pen. Sometimes for the good, but sometimes for the bad, even leading to unintended consequences.

Jeff Brindle is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. The opinions presented here are his own and not necessarily those of the Commission.

ALSO BY JEFF BRINDLE

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Campaign online fundraising opens up new avenues while posing new challenges

IRS takes aim at 501(c) election donors

Time to untangle New Jersey Pay-to-Play Law’s web of confusion

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N.J.’s Gubernatorial Public Financing Program shows integrity

Citizens' United decision influencing late campaign spending

New era of campaign financing is upon us

‘Stealth' political action groups must be required to disclose their financial activities

Citizens United decision not changing much in New Jersey

Citizens United not all to blame for growth of outside groups involved in political campaigns

An iPhone democracy is not far off

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