Glossary
wishes to vote for a candidate not of their party,they must file a“change of party affiliation” form with the municipal clerk before voting for the candidate. This form can be obtained at www.state.nj.us/lps/ elections/parties_doe.html
Faulkner Act The Faulkner Act, or Optional Municipal Charter Law, establishes a structure by which citizens may adopt a formal structure of municipal government. The Faulkner Act plans favor an executive office (Mayor or Council Manager/Administrator). An important feature of the Faulkner Act is that it offers an “initiative and referendum” (see below) process for placing an issue on the ballot, as well as a process for recalling elected officials from public office.
Freeholder The 21 counties of New Jersey are all governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders. This board, consisting of three to nine members, is responsible for policy decisions and services related to the governing of the county. This includes roads and bridges, policy, emergency services, parks and recreation systems, and public health systems that are designated as county facilities. Freeholders are elected at large.
Government Records Council The Government Records Council (GRC) was created by the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) to facilitate the provision of public records as mandated by OPRA. The GRC is mainly responsible for educating the public about OPRA and fulfilling inquiries made by the public or records custodians, in addition to aiding in the research of and mediating disputes about access to government records. For more information about the GRC, visit their website at www.nj.gov/ grc or call their toll-free hotline at 1-866-850-0511.
Home rule Home rule refers to the transference of power by the state to local governments in the regulation of municipal land use. This “tradition” has several important implications beyond the location
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