A tale of two Bayonne referenda; one passes, one fails

BAYONNE – Groups seeking to change two policies within the city got a mixed bag on Election Day, as the right to vote for an elected school board was passed overwhelming, while a measure to bring back traditional rent control to the city failed.
On Bayonne’s public question number 2, more than 76 percent of those from the city voted yes to changing from the current mayor-appointed board in unofficial County Clerk’s office results. The no votes accounted for just over 23 percent.
Michael Alonso, the losing District 1 freeholder candidate, was a motivating force behind the successful Bayonne School Board Choice effort.
The other referendum, which would have done away with the current vacancy decontrol, which allows landlords to raise rents in a rent-controlled apartments once residents leave, was defeated by a 57 to 42 percent tally, according to unofficial county results. A win would have meant a return to traditional rent control that existed in the city for decades.
Two state questions were also on the ballot.
One was an overhaul of the state’s bail system, which does away with bail for minor crimes, but gives the judge the option on more serious crimes. It passed.
The other was a measure which dedicated additional tax revenue to open space preservation. That also passed.

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