Municipal Elections To Be Moved to November

The City Council decided to move Hoboken's non partisan municipal elections, which are usually held in May, to November with the goal to increase voter turn out. The decision was made in a 5-4 vote on Wednesday night.

A November election would mean that the current council members' terms will be extended by six months. (Those who would be up for election in May, would have to stay in office until the following November).

The measure was introduced by Council President Ravi Bhalla,

"My main motivation is encouraging voter participation," said Councilman-at-Large David Mello.

Members of the public were divided on the issue. Jonathan Wharton, a professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, said that elections in May and June—run off elections are held in early June—puts students at a disadventage, Wharton said.

Wharton, who teaches political science, said that moving elections to November, would be a step in the right direction and would increase voter turn out.

"I think this is a very bad idea," said Hobokenite Dan Tumpson. "I agree you’ll have more voters. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have more informed voters."

Some of the members of the public expressed their concerns that local issues would fall by the wayside in a November election.

Tumpson, along with other residents, said they would like to see this issue voted on in a referendum. "You seem to be rushing into this," Tumpson told the council.

Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo proposed to have a referendum by the public before the new law could go into effect. The council majority voted against Russo's amendment.

"I really see this as a power grab," said Second Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason. "Everyone who votes in favor, is taking the power away from the people."

In a 5-4 vote—with all the minority council members voting against the move—the new law passed, after about an hour of discussion by the public and the council.

The first November municipal election will be held in November 2013, when Mayor Dawn Zimmer as well as Councilmembers-at-Large Carol Marsh, Bhalla and Mello are up for re-election.