Say goodbye to the centuries-old title of freeholder in New Jersey county government.
Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy has signed Senate bill 855 into law and the legislation requires the title of “chosen freeholder” to be changed to “county commissioner” and all “boards of chosen freeholders” to be known as “boards of county commissioners,” according to a press release from Murphy’s office.
The law also requires county governments to update their letterheads, stationary and other writings, as well as their websites, to bear the title of county commissioners in place of freeholders or chosen freeholders within one year of the bill’s effective date, Jan. 1, 2021.
The law does not require counties to update or replace signs or other writings to reflect this title change within the specified timeframe if doing so would require the expenditure of county funds, according to the press release. In those cases, the title would be changed whenever the writing is next updated or replaced in the ordinary course of business.
“We have an obligation to ensure that governance in New Jersey is inclusive and representative of the tremendous diversity of our great state,” Murphy said. “Amid a national reckoning to re-examine vestiges rooted in structural racism, this action will eliminate the use of the term ‘freeholder’ in county government – a title that is an outgrowth of a time when people of color and women were excluded from public office.”
In a statement issued on Aug. 24, the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, all five of whom are Democrats, said, “We are pleased to see the Governor and the Legislature take action to retire the title of ‘chosen freeholder.’
“This term dates back to an era in which people of color, women and those without financial means were not treated as equals – and is not representative of the ideals which we all aspire to today.
“We are pleased to see this title be replaced and look forward to entering 2021 as the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners,” the freeholders said.
Asked to comment on the new law, Thomas Arnone, the director of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, all five of whom are Republicans, said, “As I have previously stated, I respect the opinions of my freeholder colleagues throughout the state who support the title change, but I have a somewhat different opinion on the matter.
“I have advocated for the state to look at all offensive names across the board and not just the title of freeholder. For example, they should start with reviewing the name of Rutgers University, which is the largest institution of higher education in New Jersey.
“With that being said, the changing of the title of freeholder does not bother me nearly as much as the legislative effort that was put in during a time of financial distress, (with ongoing) health and safety concerns, and state operations being in disarray.
“In closing, I can only speak on behalf of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and whatever name we are called, we will continue to be leaders in the state in what we call good government,” Arnone said.
“The decision to change the word freeholder to county commissioner is long awaited,” said Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth). “In Monmouth County, where we have towns like Freehold Borough, Freehold Township and Upper Freehold, not only will changing this title avoid confusion and increase voter participation, it will tell women and our communities of color that New Jersey does not associate itself in any way with these archaic values of the past. This is a proud day in our history.”
“The term freeholder is outdated and it’s offensive to women and minorities,” Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) said. “The term dates back to a time before the Revolutionary War when only white male owners of debt-free land were allowed to hold public office. New Jersey is the only state in the country that still uses the term freeholder. It is long past time that we right this wrong and change the title to commissioner.”
State Sen. Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) said, “As a former freeholder, I believe it is important that the public knows the substance of what a freeholder does rather than what the term freeholder is.
“Today’s action was nine years in the making from when I initially proposed the abolishment of the antiquated term. The title ‘county commissioner’ will lend itself to transparency. This revamp will ensure more Garden State residents better understanding the function of this important position in county government,” Pennacchio said.
The press release issued by the governor’s office quoted Jonathan Holloway, the new president of Rutgers University, saying, “This is not about the people who serve as freeholders, but rather the title. The title freeholder has a legacy that grows out of denying people access and the right to have a voice. Our present day should simply not look like that.”
