40:20-20.4. Proposition to change term of office

Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, in any county, other than a county having adopted a form of government authorized under the provisions of P.L. 1972, c. 154 (C. 40:41A-1 et seq.), a proposition may be submitted to the voters of the county to change the term of office for the members of the board of chosen freeholders from three to four years, to provide for staggered terms of office for the members of the board of chosen freeholders, and to provide for biennial elections of members of the board of chosen freeholders.

The proposition shall be submitted either upon the adoption of a resolution of the governing body of the county after public hearing thereon, or upon submission to the county clerk of a petition signed by a number of the legal voters of the county equal in number to at least 15% of the total votes cast in the county at the last election at which members of the General Assembly were elected. The proposition shall not be submitted more than once in any three year period.

A petition submitted pursuant to this section shall be verified, inspected and certified as to the authenticity of the signatures attached thereto by the county clerk within 20 days of submission, and shall be submitted at the next general election occurring at least 40 days after certification.

The question of increasing the term of office of the members of the board of chosen freeholders, providing for staggered terms of office for the members of the board of chosen freeholders, and providing for biennial elections of members of the board of chosen freeholders shall be submitted to the voters of the election in substantially the following form:

"Shall the term of office of the members of the board of chosen freeholders of .................... (insert name of county) be increased from three to four years and shall members of the board of chosen freeholders serve for staggered terms and be elected at biennial elections?"

A canvass and return of the vote upon the proposition shall be made by the election officers in the same manner as for officers voted for at the election, and a majority of all the votes cast upon the proposition in favor of the proposition shall be sufficient to make the change.

L. 1987, c. 236, s. 6.