DIEGNAN/BARNES BILL MOVING NONPARTISAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS TO NOVEMBER ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Patrick Diegnan, Jr., and Peter J. Barnes III sponsored to allow New Jersey towns that hold May nonpartisan municipal elections to move the date of the election to the same day as the November general election was unanimously released today from the Assembly State Government Committee.

Currently, nonpartisan municipal elections are held on the second Tuesday in May.

"Allowing towns that hold May nonpartisan elections to move those elections to November without jeopardizing their nonpartisan status is a win for everyone," said Diegnan (D-Middlesex).  "Municipalities win because they save money while being able to keep their unique form of government; voters and candidates win because the electorate is more engaged and more active in November elections."

The Diegnan/Barnes bill (A-351) would allow any municipality that holds nonpartisan municipal elections to choose, through passage of an ordinance, to move the election to the same date as the general election - the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

The committee amended the bill to apply only to municipalities with populations of 10,000 or less and certain other municipalities that meet special size, placement, and population criteria.

"Giving nonpartisan communities the option to save money by moving their municipal elections to November just makes sense," said Barnes (D-Middlesex).  "It allows towns the freedom to decide what electoral approach is right for them, and helps them to save money in the process."

The bill now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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