TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) to create a pilot program in Camden and Morris counties designed to cut costs by allowing their governing bodies to streamline county elections positions has been approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
The bill (S-2455) would permit county freeholder boards in the pilot counties to suspend, by ordinance or resolution, the offices of superintendent and deputy superintendent of elections. If a freeholder board chooses to exercise this option, which would be available for three years following the bill’s enactment, the functions of both offices would be transferred to the county Board of Elections.
“This bill will give the freeholder boards the flexibility to streamline positions within county government while maintaining the integrity and oversight of the election process,” said Senator Norcross. “Moreover, it will help establish best practices for this type of consolidation going forward, as state and local governments continue to seek new and innovative ways to relieve the property-tax burden on our residents.”