Camden County Officials Applaud End Of Use Of Term 'Freeholder'

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Camden County officials have voiced their approval of recently signed legislation calling for New Jersey counties to replace the use of the word “freeholder” with “county commissioner” to describe elected county officials.

“Earlier this summer, we joined New Jersey’s 17 other black freeholders in calling for the offensive label and term to be replaced,” Camden County Freeholders Barbara Holcomb and Jonathan Young said in a joint statement. “Today, we thank Governor Murphy for signing this historic legislation into law and sending a clear message to people of color and women throughout New Jersey that this office is as open to them as it is to anyone else.”

The New Jersey State Assembly previously voted 61-12-4 in favor of bill A-3594 and the State Senate voted 31-6 in favor of bill S-855 that would replace the term "freeholder" with "county commissioner." Gov. Phil Murphy signed the legislation requiring counties to make the change on Friday.

“The history of the term freeholder is rooted in misogyny, racism, and privilege,” Holcomb and Young said. “We have long believed that New Jersey’s elected officials deserve a more dignifying title, one that represents what we strive to be today, not the sins of those long ago who used the office to further the oppression of others.

“Now more than ever, we must encourage diverse voices to join the ranks of public service. Along with the entire New Jersey family, we are eager to begin preparing new websites, stationary, and letterheads, which proudly bears our new title — commissioner. Most importantly, we are eager to learn of the impact this symbolic transition has on young women and people of color who will never again be forced to wonder whether the honor of serving in this position is available to them. On January 1, 2021, Camden County will officially transition all signage, letterhead and other identifying aspects of the position over county commissioner.”

Freeholder is an Old English term dating back to before the American Revolution to denote a person who owns land and is free of debt, which was a requirement to hold public office. At the time, only white men could own property and serve. Read more here: Camden County Official Supports Ending Use Of Term ‘Freeholder’