MILLBURN, NJ — An important special election is creeping closer in Millburn that could change the way the local government is run, and battle lines are being drawn on both sides of the debate.
On June 16, residents will vote on a referendum that would switch the township to a “council-manager” style of government under New Jersey’s Optional Municipal Charter Law (Faulkner Act).
Here are some things that will change if the referendum passes:
Nonpartisan local elections would be held every other November
Seven council members would be elected at-large to staggered, four-year terms
The mayor would be selected from among council members by a majority vote of the council
Initiative and referendum powers would be available to Millburn residents, allowing citizen groups to propose legislation or call a referendum without involving elected officials
A municipal manager would be appointed under state statute
If the referendum passes, all seven members of the new council would be elected in the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. The new government would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
At its organizational meeting, the new council would select a mayor from among its members and conduct a random drawing to determine which four members serve an initial two-year term and which three members serve a full four-year term — establishing a staggered election cycle going forward.
Currently, members of the township committee are elected to three-year terms in annual, partisan elections, with either one or two seats up for election each year. Learn more about voting in Millburn here.
The proposal to change Millburn’s government has seen both support and criticism. Here are the pros and cons:
VOTE YES: ‘GIVE EVERY VOTER AN EQUAL VOICE’
“Yes” supporters say the proposal would fix several structural issues that have limited Millburn's government over the years: an annual election cycle that makes sustained leadership “nearly impossible,” a partisan structure that excludes nearly half the electorate and encourages division along national political lines, and a governing body “too small to bear its workload or deliberate with adequate depth.”
The Millburn Charter Study Commission voted unanimously to recommend the council-manager form of municipal government in March. Read their full recommendation here.
Nonpartisan Local Elections – “About 43% of Millburn's registered voters are unaffiliated and currently excluded from the primary process. Nonpartisan elections give every voter an equal voice. Similar to board of education elections, candidates will appear on a separate line on the ballot, not on the line with other parties.”
Easier To Run For Office – “Without party gatekeepers and primary elections, more talented residents can run for council. Saves time and energy, and removes rules that previously discouraged exemplary candidates.”
Accountability – “The council sets policy. The manager runs operations. No more ambiguity when things go wrong… roles and responsibilities are clear and defined by state law.”
More Power For Residents – “Residents can propose legislation or call a vote directly: formal tools to challenge egregious decisions without relying solely on elected officials. These powers don't exist today.”
Sharing The Load – “A larger council allows for three-person subcommittees and distributes workload so members can develop deeper expertise.”
VOTE NO: ‘DON’T CHANGE OUR GOVERNMENT’
Meanwhile, critics argue that the move would not guarantee a non-partisan government – and may actually reduce government accountability and stability.
Former Millburn Township Committee member Ellen Steinberg is among the local voters who are calling to reject the proposal.
Here some reasons to vote no on Election Day, according to Steinberg:
Partisan Politics – “Nonpartisan elections do not mean non-partisan government. Real world partisanship will never be out of politics. Just look at Newark, Jersey City and Irvington: all municipalities with nonpartisan elections. If this passes, candidates will simply run together on a state with a common agenda and call themselves something else. Access to partisan funding would still exist. Candidates should not be able to hide who they really are. Don't you want to know who you're voting for?”
Canceled Government – “If this passes, our current government gets cancelled. It’s called the ‘clean slate’ rule and the existing terms of all our elected officials are abolished. Our commissions and boards are dissolved, too. The seven newly elected council members would then reestablish our commissions and boards with their own appointments. We've already witnessed what three of the township committeemen did to the volunteer board of CEDA by imposing a new board makeup and hand-picking the officers of CEDA. Do we really want to risk a remake of our planning board, zoning board of adjustment, environmental commission and our other volunteer boards and commissions?”
Less Accountability – “We would lose government accountability and stability so council members could have longer terms. We would now be saddled with a council person for four years. We all know that four years in office is a long time. (For some politicians, many people think one year is long enough...) The Yes People talk about voter fatigue, but this is New Jersey and there is either a federal or state election each year and, in Millburn, a Board of Education election, too. If this passes Millburn residents will have to wait two years to make any change to their town government. Right now, Millburn has a nine-person board of education, of which 1/3 of its members are up for election every year. As a result, board members remain more accountable to the residents. Residents can also impact the make-up of the board each year without completely overturning it. The staggered elections of our current township committee serve the town in a similar way. In this new scheme, after the first seven council members are elected, the next election for Millburn council would occur in November 2028 with four seats, a majority of the council, all up for election. Thereafter, the turnover risk of a new government will occur at least every four years.”
Stability And Balance – “Since its founding our current form of government has provided stability, continuity and balance. The stability, strength and management of our existing government is why we have retained our triple A municipal bond rating over the years. Our township services work and our volunteer boards and commissions reflect a broad range of viewpoints and community participation. In the seventies, Millburn residents voted down the attempt to change our government by its charter commission. Again, in the early nineties, the voters said ‘no’ to a new type of government. It is now 2026, and there is nothing that the Yes People are offering that can give us a more transparent, accountable, stable and balanced government than what we already have.”
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