OK, so adding double quotes to the jQuery directly didn't break anything, the validator script still works with them. So I guess I'm good to go. Thanks!

adding double quotes to the jQuery directly didn't break anything

jQuery is "just" a library, in that way it is similar to, for example, Moo: it just makes good/clever use of existing language syntax to provide an interface that makes it look like it's adding new syntax to the language (e.g. jQuery's $(...), Moo's has), but it is in fact working within the confines of the language (other modules can be added to provide sugar). The same way one can write regular Perl subs into Moo classes and use everything that Perl has to offer, one can use all of vanilla JavaScript when working with jQuery.

Thanks.

I have run into a bit of a roadblock. If a value is set to some jQuery code (let's say to get the value of a text field), it surrounds the jQuery code with quotes which does break things. Can you think of any good ways around this problem?

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Ok, this is for the jquery validation module and is being used inside of a jquery call like so:

$("#myform").validate({
  rules: {
    contact: {
      required: true,
      email: {
        depends: function(element) {
          return $("#contactform_email").is(":checked");
        }
      }
    }
  }
});
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So, I'm not familiar enough with jQuery to know if adding the double quotes will break things or not. I guess I could try and see what happens.