JACKSON, NJ – A new law signed by Governor Phil Murphy will make it easier for candidates to run in municipal elections, including Jackson’s upcoming council seat election in November.
Under the recently passed A-5117, which was approved by both the State Senate and State Assembly, candidates in municipalities with populations over 50,000 will only need at least 100 signatures to be placed on the ballot for primary, general, nonpartisan municipal, and school elections.
The law is retroactive to January 1, 2025, and requires the Secretary of State to publish certain nominating petition forms by January 1 of each year.
In Jackson, candidates for the council seat election can pick up petitions at the township clerk’s office. The change aims to simplify the process and encourage more individuals to participate in local elections.