HOBOKEN – When voters head to the polls this coming November in Hoboken, they could be voting for more than just the state Assembly members and county freeholders. They could potentially decide the fate of Hoboken’s Election Day.
A committee of petitioners was expected to hand in approximately 3,000 signatures to the City Clerk’s office on Friday for a referendum to put the issue of moving municipal elections on the ballot.
On July 20, the City Council voted to move the May municipal elections to November, with the hope of saving money and increasing voter turnout. Recent state legislation allows the city to make the move by passing an ordinance. But some believe the voters should decide instead.
The clerk will review the petitions, and if there are 2,189 valid signatures, the public may vote on whether they want council and mayoral elections to be moved from May to November.
If the petitions are not valid, the committee of petitioners will have 10 days to provide extra signatures to cure any deficiencies. The council can also vote to repeal the legislation.
A consequence of the legislation delays the next election by six months, leaving the current mayor and council in office until November 2013, instead of May 2013. The legislation does not allow the officials to shorten their terms for a November 2012 election.
What do you think? Should elections be held in May or November? Discuss the issue below.
For much more on this issue, make sure to pick up a copy of The Hoboken Reporter this weekend, or just keep reading HudsonReporter.com. — Ray Smith
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