JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced on Jan. 8 that the administration will seek the public’s feedback through a referendum process on whether the city should move municipal elections from May to November, fulfilling a campaign pledge made during the 2013 election.
The move would increase efficiencies, save approximately $400,000 and alleviate voter fatigue.
During the 2013 mayoral election, Fulop outlined numerous platforms for government reform, including moving the municipal elections to November. In a policy paper released during the campaign, Fulop cited increased voter turnout, reduced costs and greater access to the democratic process as the main objectives for the move, pledging to sponsor a referendum on the matter as mayor.
“Increasing voter participation benefits everyone,” said Mayor Fulop. “By moving the municipal elections to November, voters are offered the chance to cast ballots for all government offices at once – school board, city, county, state and federal – enhancing the pathway to the democratic process for all of our residents.”
Currently, in years when there is a municipal election, voters are asked to go to the polls a minimum of four times: in May for municipal offices, June for a runoff, June for primary elections, and November for general elections, as well as any special elections.
At the City Council meeting next week, the administration will present a resolution to advance the referendum, which would appear on the next general election ballot on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. The referendum would ask residents if they agree with moving the City’s non-partisan municipal elections from May to November.
In 2010, the State enacted legislation allowing Faulkner Act municipalities such as Jersey City to move their elections from May to November. Any city wishing to move their municipal election must first pass an ordinance enacting the change.
The Fulop administration, however, is first seeking feedback from the public before passing an ordinance. If results of the ballot referendum show the public in favor of the move, the administration would then present an ordinance to adopt the measure.
In 2012, the City Council adopted an ordinance to move the Board of Education elections from April to November following a similar referendum process championed by then Councilman Fulop. In that referendum, voters overwhelmingly supported the move, voting 73 percent in favor.