One person holding Multiple Offices?

Question

Why is it legal for one person to hold multiple public offices? For example, recently indicted former Newark, NJ mayor Sharpe James was the mayor of Newark at the same time was a State Senator too.

What are the policies regarding this in other states?

Thank you for any answers.

I meant elected officials like Mayor, State Senator etc. I've heard some other countries prohibit government officials holding dual offices like Sharpe.

Answer 1

"No Senator of Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been ecreased during such time; and no person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuace in Office."


I am guessing this person is allowed to do this because these are both State offices and New Jersey has no law to the contrary.

Answer 2

It depends on the laws of the state, usually as defined in the state constitution.

Some have the executive of one small area also serve on the legislative body of the next larger area up --- in other words, the person makes decisions at the lower level, and participates in group decisions at the higher level. Many counties work this way.

I don't know what New Jersey's laws are, but the political and legal structure of each state varies according to it's constitution. For example, New Hampshire's governor shares executive authority with an Executive Council, which is something no other state does.

Answer 3

My guess as to why this is legal is state legislators are part time. They meet 2-3 times a year.

Answer 4

Maybe they have split personalities.