Voters get a second shot at changing date of election

JERSEY CITY — Critics who oppose changing the Jersey City municipal elections from May to November appear to be satisfied with a proposal that would put the question back on the ballot next November.
Voters narrowly approved a non-binding resolution last November asking to move the election. But the final choice would have been in the hands of the council. Critics were poised to challenge the council approval if it moved ahead.
Instead, Mayor Steven Fulop has asked the council to approve a new binding referendum. If this goes to the ballot and voters approve the change, the council will have no choice but to move the election. If the referendum is voted down, the election will remain in May.
A second referendum question will likely be placed on the ballot as well, asking voters to eliminated run off elections. This would mean that the candidate with the most votes, even if this does not exceed 50 percent of the total votes cast, would win the seat as mayor or council person.