The Citizens Manual

The Citizens Manual charts the course to constructive

citizenship and the fulfillment that comes with it.
THOMAS H. KEAN SR.
FORMER CHAIR, 9/11 COMMISSION
FORMER GOVERNOR, STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Harry S. Pozycki
Harry S. Pozycki has written a
very timely and important citizens
handbook.
Most Americans never get around
to participating in government or
politics. Many would like to
participate, but say they dont know
how or where to begin. By telling
people in simple, practical terms
how to get involved in shaping
government decisions in their
hometowns and beyond,
The Citizens Manual meets this
need and makes an invaluable
contribution toward a revitalized
American democracy.
DEREK BOK
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
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Published by the CENTER FOR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY 2005 Harry S. Pozycki
Paths to Power for Regular Citizens
copyrighI 2005 by Harry Pozycki All PighIs Peserved
Published by The CehIer oI Civic PespohsibiliIy, hc.
150 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Metuchen, NJ 08810
www.JoinTheCaupaign.cou
Fhone 732-518-9798
Fax 732-518-9298
copyrighI 2005 by Harry Pozycki All PighIs Peserved
Published by The CehIer oI Civic PespohsibiliIy, hc.
150 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Metuchen, NJ 08810
www.JoinTheCaupaign.cou
Fhone 732-518-9798
Fax 732-518-9298
copyrighI 2005 by Harry Pozycki All PighIs Peserved
Published by The CehIer oI Civic PespohsibiliIy, hc.
150 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Metuchen, NJ 08810
www.JoinTheCaupaign.cou
Fhone 732-518-9798
Fax 732-518-9298
AUTHORS NOTE 22
INTRODUCTION 24

KNOWING YOUR LOCAL POWER CENTERS
CHAPTER 1 The Three Power Centers of Town and City Government 29
CHAPTER 2 The Hidden Power Center: The Local Political Party 15
BECOMING A POWERFUL CITIZEN LEGISLATOR
CHAPTER 3 The Constructive Proposal 23
CHAPTER 4 The Respectful Presentation 27
CHAPTER 5 Political Power Levers 33
CHAPTER 6 The Voting Booth 45
INDEX OF CITIZENS LEGAL RIGHTS TO POLITICAL PARTY
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION
CHAPTER 7 Town or City Council 53
CHAPTER 8 School Board 63
CHAPTER 9 Planning Board 75
CHAPTER 10 Local Political Parties 79
NOTE TO NON-CITIZENS 85
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 87
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Empowerment Civics: A Resource Book of Legal Rights and Political Skills for
Citizen Participation in Local Government
AUTHORS NOTE 22
INTRODUCTION 24

KNOWING YOUR LOCAL POWER CENTERS
CHAPTER 1 The Three Power Centers of Town and City Government 29
CHAPTER 2 The Hidden Power Center: The Local Political Party 15
BECOMING A POWERFUL CITIZEN LEGISLATOR
CHAPTER 3 The Constructive Proposal 23
CHAPTER 4 The Respectful Presentation 27
CHAPTER 5 Political Power Levers 33
CHAPTER 6 The Voting Booth 45
INDEX OF CITIZENS LEGAL RIGHTS TO POLITICAL PARTY
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION
CHAPTER 7 Town or City Council 53
CHAPTER 8 School Board 63
CHAPTER 9 Planning Board 75
CHAPTER 10 Local Political Parties 79
NOTE TO NON-CITIZENS 85
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 87
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Empowerment Civics: A Resource Book of Legal Rights and Political Skills for
Citizen Participation in Local Government
A
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AUTHORS NOTE
This citizens resource book is based on a new vision of American
citizenship in which the standard for civic participation is more than
voting.
Traditionally, civics education taught us to be spectators. Voting
was the end product of our observations. We were taught to revere
the founders and to be in awe of our governments tripartite structure
with its sophisticated checks and balances.
While it is important for civics to give us a knowledge of our
history and an awareness of our governments basic structural
design, without more, traditional civics leaves us feeling distant from
the workings of our democracy and unprepared for participation
beyond the isolated act of voting.
Empowerment Civics was written to provide an expanded
opportunity for civic participation - an opportunity that extends
beyond the ballot box.
In order to enable an increased level of participation, Empower-
ment Civics takes a hometown-rst approach to civics education. By
identifying the power centers of local government and teaching the
legal rights of citizens to access and inuence these power centers,
civic participation is made more attractive and government more
accessible. Citizens are attracted to participation when they know
the legal rules of play, and government is simply more accessible in
our hometowns than in the state or national capitals.
However, hometown-rst civics is not meant to facilitate
participation solely at the town or city levels. Theres hardly a player
in the major leagues who didnt play little league or high school
baseball. Likewise, learning the rules and techniques for civic
involvement at the local level enables citizens to be prepared to
access and inuence government at the higher levels.
It is the authors hope that citizens who are empowered by this
hometown-rst introduction to participation civics will share it
with their fellow citizens.
AUTHORS NOTES
3
While full responsibility for Empowerment Civics remains with
its author, there are many individuals and foundations who have
contributed to its development and publication. They are: The
Fund for New Jersey; Sagner Family Foundation; Steven and Elaine
Pozycki; Common Cause NJ; NJ League of Women Voters; NJ Public
Interest Research Group Law & Policy Center; Gibbons Fellowship
on Constitutional Law; Derek Bok, President Emeritus of Harvard
University; Susan Fuhrman, Dean of the University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Education; John Puckett, Associate Dean of the
University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education; Dr. C. Roy
Epps, President of the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick;
Clement Price, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor
and Director of the Rutgers Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the
Modern Experience; Alan Rosenthal; William Cox Esq.; Michael Pane
Esq.; Ronald Cucchiaro Esq.; Donna Ardizzone; David Wilkinson;
Jeff Merritt; Rachel Pittard; Sandra Matsen, President, NJ League of
Women Voters; Dee Corona, former Government Relations Director,
NJ Education Association; Tom Byrne, Former Chairman of State
Democratic Party; Chuck Haytaian, Former Chairman of State
Republican Party; Richard McInerney; and Patricia Bernstein.
Special thanks are due to Rob Horowitz for his substantial
research and editing assistance in the development of this handbook
and to the Center for Civic Responsibility for its incubation of the
Empowerment Civics education concept.
AUTHORS NOTES
3
While full responsibility for Empowerment Civics remains with
its author, there are many individuals and foundations who have
contributed to its development and publication. They are: The
Fund for New Jersey; Sagner Family Foundation; Steven and Elaine
Pozycki; Common Cause NJ; NJ League of Women Voters; NJ Public
Interest Research Group Law & Policy Center; Gibbons Fellowship
on Constitutional Law; Derek Bok, President Emeritus of Harvard
University; Susan Fuhrman, Dean of the University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Education; John Puckett, Associate Dean of the
University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education; Dr. C. Roy
Epps, President of the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick;
Clement Price, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor
and Director of the Rutgers Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the
Modern Experience; Alan Rosenthal; William Cox Esq.; Michael Pane
Esq.; Ronald Cucchiaro Esq.; Donna Ardizzone; David Wilkinson;
Jeff Merritt; Rachel Pittard; Sandra Matsen, President, NJ League of
Women Voters; Dee Corona, former Government Relations Director,
NJ Education Association; Tom Byrne, Former Chairman of State
Democratic Party; Chuck Haytaian, Former Chairman of State
Republican Party; Richard McInerney; and Patricia Bernstein.
Special thanks are due to Rob Horowitz for his substantial
research and editing assistance in the development of this handbook
and to the Center for Civic Responsibility for its incubation of the
Empowerment Civics education concept.
A
u
t
h
o
r

s

N
o
t
e
2
AUTHORS NOTE
This citizens resource book is based on a new vision of American
citizenship in which the standard for civic participation is more than
voting.
Traditionally, civics education taught us to be spectators. Voting
was the end product of our observations. We were taught to revere
the founders and to be in awe of our governments tripartite structure
with its sophisticated checks and balances.
While it is important for civics to give us a knowledge of our
history and an awareness of our governments basic structural
design, without more, traditional civics leaves us feeling distant from
the workings of our democracy and unprepared for participation
beyond the isolated act of voting.
Empowerment Civics was written to provide an expanded
opportunity for civic participation - an opportunity that extends
beyond the ballot box.
In order to enable an increased level of participation, Empower-
ment Civics takes a hometown-rst approach to civics education. By
identifying the power centers of local government and teaching the
legal rights of citizens to access and inuence these power centers,
civic participation is made more attractive and government more
accessible. Citizens are attracted to participation when they know
the legal rules of play, and government is simply more accessible in
our hometowns than in the state or national capitals.
However, hometown-rst civics is not meant to facilitate
participation solely at the town or city levels. Theres hardly a player
in the major leagues who didnt play little league or high school
baseball. Likewise, learning the rules and techniques for civic
involvement at the local level enables citizens to be prepared to
access and inuence government at the higher levels.
It is the authors hope that citizens who are empowered by this
hometown-rst introduction to participation civics will share it
with their fellow citizens.
A
u
t
h
o
r

s

N
o
t
e
2
AUTHORS NOTE
This citizens resource book is based on a new vision of American
citizenship in which the standard for civic participation is more than
voting.
Traditionally, civics education taught us to be spectators. Voting
was the end product of our observations. We were taught to revere
the founders and to be in awe of our governments tripartite structure
with its sophisticated checks and balances.
While it is important for civics to give us a knowledge of our
history and an awareness of our governments basic structural
design, without more, traditional civics leaves us feeling distant from
the workings of our democracy and unprepared for participation
beyond the isolated act of voting.
Empowerment Civics was written to provide an expanded
opportunity for civic participation - an opportunity that extends
beyond the ballot box.
In order to enable an increased level of participation, Empower-
ment Civics takes a hometown-rst approach to civics education. By
identifying the power centers of local government and teaching the
legal rights of citizens to access and inuence these power centers,
civic participation is made more attractive and government more
accessible. Citizens are attracted to participation when they know
the legal rules of play, and government is simply more accessible in
our hometowns than in the state or national capitals.
However, hometown-rst civics is not meant to facilitate
participation solely at the town or city levels. Theres hardly a player
in the major leagues who didnt play little league or high school
baseball. Likewise, learning the rules and techniques for civic
involvement at the local level enables citizens to be prepared to
access and inuence government at the higher levels.
It is the authors hope that citizens who are empowered by this
hometown-rst introduction to participation civics will share it
with their fellow citizens.
I
n
t
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o
d
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t
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o
n
4
INTRODUCTION
Citizenship means more than voting and paying taxes. In a
representative democracy, a citizens responsibility is to be actively
involved in public life.
Yet, study after study has documented the decline of citizen
participation. For several decades, each generation has been less
engaged in politics and public affairs than the generation that
preceded it.
Today, citizens are increasingly removed from the public square.
People view government and politics as an inaccessible game of
money players and professional politicians. As a result, they feel
increasingly powerless over the policy decisions that affect their
lives.
Part of the reason for this disengagement is that people lack the
knowledge needed to be effective in the political arena to turn their
ideas into practical action. To move from a spectator to a participant
in our democracy requires understanding your rights as a citizen and
how to use those rights in a constructive and responsible manner.
Yet, the skills required for active citizen participation are not taught
in our schools and adults have no place to go to learn them.
That is the reason for this handbook. It is a practical guide about
how to effectively participate in the public life of our communities.
In concrete detail it shows citizens that they do have power; they
only need to learn how to use it.
The best place to learn how to be active citizens is closest to home
in our own communities. Local government decisions determine
how high your taxes will be, how safe your neighborhoods will be,
the quality of the public schools, and the quality of the environment
in your town.
It is exciting to play a role in determining the shape and quality
of your community. This handbook will help give you the tools to
succeed as you begin to get involved.
The handbook is organized into ten chapters. Chapter One
discusses the three main power centers of town government - the
INTRODUCTION
5
elected council or committee and the mayor, the school board, and
the planning board. It highlights the rights that are most useful to
citizens as they attempt to inuence the decisions made by these
critically important government bodies.
Chapter Two highlights the hidden power center - the local
political parties. In most communities, the local political parties play
a central role in public affairs, and understanding how they work and
how to get involved in them can help citizens realize their policy
goals. Yet, very few people are aware of the parties importance.
Chapters Three-Five, provide the tools citizens require to exercise
their rights effectively. Chapter Three provides a step-by step guide
on how to develop a sound, responsible proposal to present to the
relevant government body. Chapter Four offers a detailed guide to
making an effective, respectful presentation to a local government
body. Chapter Five provides a road map to constructive citizen action,
including the use of the media to get your message across to the
public and decision-makers and involving your fellow citizens. The
goal of Chapter Six is to highlight the power of the vote, especially
when all the opportunities for its use are realized. Chapters Seven
through Ten provide a detailed summary of citizens legal rights
organized by power center, as well as additional background on the
power centers themselves. Finally, information on how to become
a citizen and which major rights apply to non-citizens is included
in a note at the end of the book as well as a glossary of terms.
HARRY S. POZYCKI
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4
INTRODUCTION
Citizenship means more than voting and paying taxes. In a
representative democracy, a citizens responsibility is to be actively
involved in public life.
Yet, study after study has documented the decline of citizen
participation. For several decades, each generation has been less
engaged in politics and public affairs than the generation that
preceded it.
Today, citizens are increasingly removed from the public square.
People view government and politics as an inaccessible game of
money players and professional politicians. As a result, they feel
increasingly powerless over the policy decisions that affect their
lives.
Part of the reason for this disengagement is that people lack the
knowledge needed to be effective in the political arena to turn their
ideas into practical action. To move from a spectator to a participant
in our democracy requires understanding your rights as a citizen and
how to use those rights in a constructive and responsible manner.
Yet, the skills required for active citizen participation are not taught
in our schools and adults have no place to go to learn them.
That is the reason for this handbook. It is a practical guide about
how to effectively participate in the public life of our communities.
In concrete detail it shows citizens that they do have power; they
only need to learn how to use it.
The best place to learn how to be active citizens is closest to home
in our own communities. Local government decisions determine
how high your taxes will be, how safe your neighborhoods will be,
the quality of the public schools, and the quality of the environment
in your town.
It is exciting to play a role in determining the shape and quality
of your community. This handbook will help give you the tools to
succeed as you begin to get involved.
The handbook is organized into ten chapters. Chapter One
discusses the three main power centers of town government - the
I
n
t
r
o
d
u
c
t
i
o
n
4
INTRODUCTION
Citizenship means more than voting and paying taxes. In a
representative democracy, a citizens responsibility is to be actively
involved in public life.
Yet, study after study has documented the decline of citizen
participation. For several decades, each generation has been less
engaged in politics and public affairs than the generation that
preceded it.
Today, citizens are increasingly removed from the public square.
People view government and politics as an inaccessible game of
money players and professional politicians. As a result, they feel
increasingly powerless over the policy decisions that affect their
lives.
Part of the reason for this disengagement is that people lack the
knowledge needed to be effective in the political arena to turn their
ideas into practical action. To move from a spectator to a participant
in our democracy requires understanding your rights as a citizen and
how to use those rights in a constructive and responsible manner.
Yet, the skills required for active citizen participation are not taught
in our schools and adults have no place to go to learn them.
That is the reason for this handbook. It is a practical guide about
how to effectively participate in the public life of our communities.
In concrete detail it shows citizens that they do have power; they
only need to learn how to use it.
The best place to learn how to be active citizens is closest to home
in our own communities. Local government decisions determine
how high your taxes will be, how safe your neighborhoods will be,
the quality of the public schools, and the quality of the environment
in your town.
It is exciting to play a role in determining the shape and quality
of your community. This handbook will help give you the tools to
succeed as you begin to get involved.
The handbook is organized into ten chapters. Chapter One
discusses the three main power centers of town government - the
NI|'
CHAPTER 1
THREE POWER CENTERS OF
TOWN AND CITY GOVERNMENT
THE HIDDEN POWER CENTER:
THE LOCAL POLITICAL PARTY
CHAPTER 2
KNOWING YOUR
LOCAL POWER CENTERS
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Thc thrcc main povcr ccntcrs of local govcrnmcnt arc thc clcctcu
council or committcc, thc school boaru, anu thc planning boaru. I
rcfcr to thcm as povcr ccntcrs bccausc thcy arc vhcrc povcr is
cxcrciscu - vhcrc important uccisions that vill havc major impacts
on thc community arc mauc.
Thc clcctcu council or committcc, along vith thc mayor, uctcrmincs
vhat to incluuc in thc tovn buugct anu thc amount of taxcs paiu by
community rcsiucnts. It also ucciucs most ovcrall policy qucstions.
Thc school boaru makcs kcy cuucational uccisions anu is rcsponsiblc
for putting togcthcr thc school buugct. Thc planning boaru, through
its povcr to ucvisc anu upuatc thc mastcr plan, controls thc physical
ucvclopmcnt of thc community. It is ccntral to ucciuing vhat a
community vill look likc anu thc quality of its cnvironmcnt.
Thcsc thrcc povcr ccntcrs arc also rcsponsivc to activc
participation by citizcns - cffcctivc citizcn action can makc a largc
uiffcrcncc in vhat is ucciucu. It is important to rcmcmbcr that
pcoplc vho scrvc on thcsc govcrnmcnt bouics arc cithcr clcctcu or
appointcu by clcctcu ofncials. As a rcsult, thcy arc usually rcsponsivc
to thc opinions of activc citizcns bccausc thcy rccognizc that activc
citizcns votc, anu many timcs, inuucncc thc voting uccisions of thcir
fricnus anu ncighbors. Citizcn action can uctcrminc vhcthcr a piccc
of propcrty is ucsignatcu for largc-scalc ucvclopmcnt or for opcn
spacc or vhcthcr or not thcrc is aucquatc funuing in thc municipal
buugct for aftcr school youth programs.
Thc main povcr ccntcrs arc ucscribcu bricuy bclov. Vorc
uctailcu ucscriptions arc availablc in Chaptcr Scvcn through Tcn.
Fower 6eoters
All have elected
representatives as
ueubers
All exercise power in
the appointuent and
hiring of people
All have authority to
uake hnal decisions
on town policy
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IJ
ELEClED CCMClL CR CCMMlllEE
Thc clcctcu council, callcu a committcc in many Ncv Jcrscy
communitics, scrvcs as thc main govcrning bouy of a municipality. It
is vhcrc kcy tax, buugct anu policy uccisions arc mauc. Thc council
ucciucs upon qucstions such as shoulu a municipality incrcasc thc
numbcr of policc to copc vith a risc in crimc, shoulu apartmcnts bc
subjcct to rcnt control, or shoulu a rcucvclopmcnt plan bc auoptcu.
All Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc mayors, but thcir povcr anu lcgal
rclationship to thc council vary from community to community. Ncv
Jcrscy`s citics anu largcr suburban tovns tcnu
to havc mayors that arc uircctly clcctcu by thc
citizcns. Thcsc mayors function similarly to
govcrnors anu prcsiucnts as thc chicf cxccutivc
ofnccr of a community. Vost of Ncv Jcrscy`s
smallcr communitics havc mayors vho arc
sclcctcu by thc council mcmbcrs anu vhom
function morc likc council prcsiucnts.
Councils rangc from as many as ninc
mcmbcrs to as fcv as thrcc. Thcy ucciuc
ncarly all mattcrs by majority votc. In almost all Ncv Jcrscy
communitics, hovcvcr, thc mayor has thc right to vcto a mcasurc
passcu by thc council, anu it usually takcs a tvo-thirus votc of thc
council to ovcrriuc a vcto
lHE SCHCCL BCARD
Thc local school boaru ovcrsccs public cuucation in a community
from prc-kinucrgartcn through High School. It scts ovcrall policics
vhich cnsurc quality tcaching, sounu nscal managcmcnt anu
aucquatc facilitics. Iurthcr, vhilc thcrc arc gcncral statcviuc
curriculum guiuclincs anu rcquircu stanuaruizcu tcsts, local school
boarus still maintain a broau amount of uiscrction vith rcgaru to
actual curriculum.
Thc statc plays a morc hanus-on rolc in thc thirty ucsignatcu Abbott
uistricts. Thcsc uistricts, vhich arc mainly urban, lovcr incomc anu
The elected council serves as the uain
governing body where tax, budget and
policy decisions are uade
CH/|||
II
contain a highcr pcrccntagc of minority
stuucnts, rcccivc incrcascu statc funuing
as a rcsult of a scrics of NJ Suprcmc Court
uccisions, stating that thc amount of moncy
spcnt pcr pupil throughout Ncv Jcrscy
must bc morc cqual. Thc basis for thcsc
uccisions is thc Ncv Jcrscy Constitution`s
promisc of a thorough anu cfncicnt
cuucation for all public school stuucnts.
Thc incrcascu funuing is ticu to spccinc
rcquircmcnts. But cvcn in thcsc uistricts,
many important curriculum uccisions arc
mauc at thc local lcvcl.
In a fcv cascs, vhcrc school uistricts havc consistcntly pcrformcu
poorly anu thcrc arc qucstions of mismanagcmcnt, thc statc has
takcn ovcr thc managcmcnt of thc school uistrict, statc lav allovs
for this.
Vost communitics havc clcctcu school boarus. In a small numbcr
of communitics, thc mayor appoints thc mcmbcrs of thc school
boaru. In thc ovcrvhclming majority of communitics, school buugcts
usually rcquirc votcr approval. Call your local school boaru for morc
information about your school uistrict.
lHE PLAMMlMG BCARD
Thc planning boaru makcs kcy cnvironmcntal anu grovth uccisions
anu, as a rcsult, is ccntral in uctcrmining thc shapc of a community
anu its quality of lifc.
Thc planning boaru is compriscu of a combination of clcctcu
ofncials anu mcmbcrs, both citizcns anu govcrnmcntal ofncials, vho
arc appointcu by thc mayor anu council.
Thc planning boaru is rcsponsiblc for thc ucvclopmcnt of a mastcr
plan for a community anu for a rcvicv anu upuatc of thc plan at
lcast cvcry six ycars. Thc mastcr plan proviucs a roau map for hov a
community vill grov, it auurcsscs qucstions such as vhat part of thc
community vill bc rcscrvcu for rcsiucnccs anu at vhat ucnsity lcvcl,
Local school board oversees public education frou
pre-k to high school and sets policies to ensure the
quality of education.
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ELEClED CCMClL CR CCMMlllEE
Thc clcctcu council, callcu a committcc in many Ncv Jcrscy
communitics, scrvcs as thc main govcrning bouy of a municipality. It
is vhcrc kcy tax, buugct anu policy uccisions arc mauc. Thc council
ucciucs upon qucstions such as shoulu a municipality incrcasc thc
numbcr of policc to copc vith a risc in crimc, shoulu apartmcnts bc
subjcct to rcnt control, or shoulu a rcucvclopmcnt plan bc auoptcu.
All Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc mayors, but thcir povcr anu lcgal
rclationship to thc council vary from community to community. Ncv
Jcrscy`s citics anu largcr suburban tovns tcnu
to havc mayors that arc uircctly clcctcu by thc
citizcns. Thcsc mayors function similarly to
govcrnors anu prcsiucnts as thc chicf cxccutivc
ofnccr of a community. Vost of Ncv Jcrscy`s
smallcr communitics havc mayors vho arc
sclcctcu by thc council mcmbcrs anu vhom
function morc likc council prcsiucnts.
Councils rangc from as many as ninc
mcmbcrs to as fcv as thrcc. Thcy ucciuc
ncarly all mattcrs by majority votc. In almost all Ncv Jcrscy
communitics, hovcvcr, thc mayor has thc right to vcto a mcasurc
passcu by thc council, anu it usually takcs a tvo-thirus votc of thc
council to ovcrriuc a vcto
lHE SCHCCL BCARD
Thc local school boaru ovcrsccs public cuucation in a community
from prc-kinucrgartcn through High School. It scts ovcrall policics
vhich cnsurc quality tcaching, sounu nscal managcmcnt anu
aucquatc facilitics. Iurthcr, vhilc thcrc arc gcncral statcviuc
curriculum guiuclincs anu rcquircu stanuaruizcu tcsts, local school
boarus still maintain a broau amount of uiscrction vith rcgaru to
actual curriculum.
Thc statc plays a morc hanus-on rolc in thc thirty ucsignatcu Abbott
uistricts. Thcsc uistricts, vhich arc mainly urban, lovcr incomc anu
The elected council serves as the uain
governing body where tax, budget and
policy decisions are uade
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anu in vhat arcas commcrcial ucvclopmcnt vill
bc pcrmittcu. A housing plan is a manuatory part
of thc mastcr plan. Thc planning boaru also has thc
lcgal right to incluuc in thc mastcr plan a sub-plan
for conscrvation of thc tovn`s cnvironmcnt anu
opcn spaccs..
Thc mastcr plan is a uocumcnt vith tccth.
Zoning rcgulations must bc consistcnt vith thc
mastcr plan.
Thc planning boaru also has thc rcsponsibility
to rcvicv anu holu public hcarings on proposals
for ncv ucvclopmcnt.
BASlC ClllZEMS RlGHlS VllH RESPECl lC LCCAL
GCVERMMEMl PCVER CEMlERS
Whilc thcrc arc a numbcr of rights that arc spccinc to cach povcr
ccntcr, thcrc arc ccrtain, basic, common citizcns` rights - oncs that
citizcns can usc vhcthcr thcy arc ucaling vith thc planning agcncics,
thc clcctcu council or thc school boaru. Vastcring thcsc basic rights
is csscntial to bccoming an cffcctivc citizcn.
6ititeos have the right to the ioIoratioo they oeed to participate
ioteIIigeotIy This incluucs thc right to govcrnmcnt rccorus such
as mcmos anu buugct uocumcnts, to auvancc noticc of mcctings
of any of thc povcr ccntcrs, to auvancc copics of mccting agcnuas
for itcms to bc votcu on by thc povcr ccntcr, to rcvicv proposcu
lavs anu proposals bcforc auoption, to attcnu council, school boaru
anu planning boaru mcctings, anu thc right to thc minutcs of thcsc
mcctings.
Takcn togcthcr, thcsc rights cnablc citizcns to arm thcmsclvcs vith
thc facts rcquircu to ucvclop a sounu proposal, or to offcr constructivc
commcnts on an cxisting proposal - vhcthcr it is a planncu ncv
library that is bcing consiucrcu by thc council or a proposcu ncv
shopping ccntcr bcing uiscusscu by thc planning boaru. Thc phrasc
knovlcugc is povcr has bccomc a clichc but it still rings truc. Ior
cxamplc, if you arc intcrcstcu in cxpanuing aftcr-school rccrcation
8EMEME8.
Mastering these
rights is essential
to becouing an
effective cititen
The planning board uakes key
environuental and developuent
decisions.
CH/|||
IJ
programs in your community, it is hclpful to knov hov much moncy
is currcntly bcing spcnt anu vhat pcrccntagc of thc ovcrall municipal
buugct it rcprcscnts. You havc a right to this information as a citizcn.

6ititeos aIso have the right to be heard duriog a couociI, pIaooiog board,
or schooI board eetiog. Whilc thc spccincs vill vary ucpcnuing
on thc povcr ccntcr anu thc community, citizcns havc thc right
to commcnt on oruinanccs proposcu by council mcmbcrs, ncv
ucvclopmcnt proposals in front of thc planning boaru anu school
buugcts proposcu by thc school boaru, to namc a fcv cxamplcs.
Iurthcr, in ncarly all Ncv Jcrscy communitics, citizcns havc thc right
to prcscnt a proposal of thcir ovn uuring public commcnt timcs that
arc built into thc mcctings of thcsc govcrnmcnt bouics. In auuition
to this, a ncv statc lav guarantccs thc right of citizcns to bc hcaru
at council mcctings on any issuc thcy bclicvc is of conccrn to thc
community. Hovcvcr, thc right to bc hcaru is not unlimitcu. It must
bc uonc in accoruancc vith thc rulcs, vhich usually incluuc a timc
limit of nvc minutcs or so. Iurthcr, a council may prohibit citizcns
from spcaking on agcnua itcms at an agcnua mccting.

6ititeos have the right to orgaoite, to iovoIve their IeIIow cititeos io
their eIIorts to reaIite their pubIic goaIs Ior their couoity. Citizcns
can invitc thcir ncighbors, fricnus anu associatcs to attcnu mcctings
of thc povcr ccntcrs to ucmonstratc support for thcir position.
Citizcns can also ask mcmbcrs of thc community to contact
mcmbcrs of govcrnmcnt bouics to lct thcm knov hov thcy fccl
about a particular issuc. In a ucmocracy, it is not only appropriatc
to cncouragc thc public to participatc - it is csscntial. Aftcr all, thcsc
arc public bouics that arc making uccisions that impact thc cntirc
community (An cxtcnucu uiscussion of vays to activatc fcllov
citizcns can bc founu in Chaptcr Iivc).

FioaIIy, cititeos have the right to their day io court.Citizcns havc broau
stanuing to challcngc uccisions of govcrnmcnt bouics in court if
thcy bclicvc thcy arc unconstitutional or illcgal. Icgal actions tcnu
to bc cxpcnsivc anu as a rcsult arc usually uscu as a rcmcuy of last
asic 6ititeos' 8ights
The right to access
inforuation
The right to be heard
The right to organite
The right to challege
governuent decisions
in court.
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anu in vhat arcas commcrcial ucvclopmcnt vill
bc pcrmittcu. A housing plan is a manuatory part
of thc mastcr plan. Thc planning boaru also has thc
lcgal right to incluuc in thc mastcr plan a sub-plan
for conscrvation of thc tovn`s cnvironmcnt anu
opcn spaccs..
Thc mastcr plan is a uocumcnt vith tccth.
Zoning rcgulations must bc consistcnt vith thc
mastcr plan.
Thc planning boaru also has thc rcsponsibility
to rcvicv anu holu public hcarings on proposals
for ncv ucvclopmcnt.
BASlC ClllZEMS RlGHlS VllH RESPECl lC LCCAL
GCVERMMEMl PCVER CEMlERS
Whilc thcrc arc a numbcr of rights that arc spccinc to cach povcr
ccntcr, thcrc arc ccrtain, basic, common citizcns` rights - oncs that
citizcns can usc vhcthcr thcy arc ucaling vith thc planning agcncics,
thc clcctcu council or thc school boaru. Vastcring thcsc basic rights
is csscntial to bccoming an cffcctivc citizcn.
6ititeos have the right to the ioIoratioo they oeed to participate
ioteIIigeotIy This incluucs thc right to govcrnmcnt rccorus such
as mcmos anu buugct uocumcnts, to auvancc noticc of mcctings
of any of thc povcr ccntcrs, to auvancc copics of mccting agcnuas
for itcms to bc votcu on by thc povcr ccntcr, to rcvicv proposcu
lavs anu proposals bcforc auoption, to attcnu council, school boaru
anu planning boaru mcctings, anu thc right to thc minutcs of thcsc
mcctings.
Takcn togcthcr, thcsc rights cnablc citizcns to arm thcmsclvcs vith
thc facts rcquircu to ucvclop a sounu proposal, or to offcr constructivc
commcnts on an cxisting proposal - vhcthcr it is a planncu ncv
library that is bcing consiucrcu by thc council or a proposcu ncv
shopping ccntcr bcing uiscusscu by thc planning boaru. Thc phrasc
knovlcugc is povcr has bccomc a clichc but it still rings truc. Ior
cxamplc, if you arc intcrcstcu in cxpanuing aftcr-school rccrcation
8EMEME8.
Mastering these
rights is essential
to becouing an
effective cititen
The planning board uakes key
environuental and developuent
decisions.
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rcsort. Hovcvcr, Ncv Jcrscy`s ncv Opcn Public Rccorus Act, vhich
givcs citizcns grcatcr rights to acccss public rccorus, offcrs a frcc
mcuiation anu appcal proccss.
Of thc rights vc uiscusscu, thc right to information, thc right to
bc hcaru, anu thc right to your uay in court arc guarantccu by
statc lav, principally by thc Opcn Public Vcctings Act anu thc ncv
Opcn Public Rccorus Act. Thc right to organizc is ucrivcu from thc
frccuom of association guarantccu by thc Iirst Amcnumcnt of thc
Bill of Rights. Thcsc rights arc vhat givc substantivc mcaning to
thc phrasc, a govcrnmcnt of thc pcoplc, for thc pcoplc anu by thc
pcoplc.
A morc uctailcu cxplanation of thcsc rights, tips for using thcm,
anu thc appropriatc lcgal rcfcrcncc arc availablc in Chaptcrs Scvcn
through Tcn. A much morc cxtcnsivc list of rights, many spccinc
to thc particular govcrnmcnt bouy or local political party, arc also
covcrcu in Chaptcrs Scvcn through Tcn.
CH/||| 2
I
Ch/|I|K IW.
Ih| h|99|N |W|K C|NI|K. Ih| |C/| |||I|C/| |/KI

Thc local political partics rcprcscnt a povcr ccntcr, vhich many
citizcns knov nothing about. Of thosc vho arc avarc, most lack
knovlcugc about hov an oruinary citizcn can acccss povcr
through thcm. This is rcmarkablc vhcn you consiucr that local party
rcprcscntativcs, clcctcu at thc ncighborhoou lcvcl, not only gct
nrst choicc in thc nomination of canuiuatcs for tovn or city ofncc,
thcy also havc povcr ovcr canuiuatc sclcction far bcyonu thc local
lcvcl. In auuition, thcy arc oftcn involvcu in thc sclcction of fcllov
citizcns to scrvc in hunurcus of govcrnmcnt positions, both paiu anu
unpaiu. Ior cxamplc, party committcc mcmbcrs oftcn rccommcnu
thc sclcction of clcction uay poll vorkcrs - a position that pays $2uu
for thc uay anu givcs thc citizcn nrst-hanu cxpcricncc vith thc inncr
vorkings of our ucmocracy (Scc Chaptcr Six for spccincs on hov to
attain a poll vorkcr position).
Thc lack of citizcn avarcncss of local political partics is cvcn
morc rcmarkablc givcn that thc ofncc of ncighborhoou party
rcprcscntativc is thc closcst anu most acccssiblc clcctcu position
for cntry into public lifc. Thc position, knovn ofncially as party
committcc mcmbcr, is a post to vhich four citizcns arc clcctcu
uuring thc primary clcction to rcprcscnt a singlc ncighborhoou
of uu to 1uuu votcrs. A malc anu a fcmalc arc clcctcu for both
thc Rcpublican anu Dcmocratic Partics, usually for onc or tvo ycar
tcrms. This is thc only ofncc for vhich 5u of thc scats arc rcscrvcu
by lav for vomcn. It is important to unucrstanu that this political
systcm proviucs thcsc ncighborhoou committcc positions in orucr
to involvc as many of its citizcns in thc rcprcscntativc proccss as
possiblc.
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rcsort. Hovcvcr, Ncv Jcrscy`s ncv Opcn Public Rccorus Act, vhich
givcs citizcns grcatcr rights to acccss public rccorus, offcrs a frcc
mcuiation anu appcal proccss.
Of thc rights vc uiscusscu, thc right to information, thc right to
bc hcaru, anu thc right to your uay in court arc guarantccu by
statc lav, principally by thc Opcn Public Vcctings Act anu thc ncv
Opcn Public Rccorus Act. Thc right to organizc is ucrivcu from thc
frccuom of association guarantccu by thc Iirst Amcnumcnt of thc
Bill of Rights. Thcsc rights arc vhat givc substantivc mcaning to
thc phrasc, a govcrnmcnt of thc pcoplc, for thc pcoplc anu by thc
pcoplc.
A morc uctailcu cxplanation of thcsc rights, tips for using thcm,
anu thc appropriatc lcgal rcfcrcncc arc availablc in Chaptcrs Scvcn
through Tcn. A much morc cxtcnsivc list of rights, many spccinc
to thc particular govcrnmcnt bouy or local political party, arc also
covcrcu in Chaptcrs Scvcn through Tcn.
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Fvcn if onc is not intcrcstcu in or ablc to run for a party committcc
scat, it is important to knov about thc rolc anu povcr of thcsc
ncighborhoou party rcprcscntativcs, sincc thcy havc inuucncc
ovcr thc clcctcu anu appointcu ofncials of thcir rcspcctivc partics.
If a citizcn nccus to gct thc attcntion of thc govcrnmcnt, onc of
thc morc cffcctivc routcs is through your ncighborhoou party
rcprcscntativcs.
In many cascs, party committcc mcmbcrs also havc inuucncc
vith ofncials clcctcu in non-partisan clcctions, vhcrc party labcls
arc not listcu on thc ballot (All Ncv Jcrscy clcctions for school
boaru arc non-partisan anu somc citizcns also clcct thcir council
anu mayor this vay). This is bccausc party committcc mcmbcrs arc
oftcn lookcu to by votcrs in thcir ncighborhoous for information
anu auvicc about canuiuatcs for all local ofnccs. Auuitionally, most
ofncials clcctcu in non-partisan clcctions havc party mcmbcrship
anu may aspirc to party posts or futurc public ofncc on thc party
tickct, anu knov that party committcc mcmbcrs arc important to
thcir urcams of auvanccmcnt.
Whcthcr a public ofncial is clcctcu in a partisan or non-partisan
clcction, if a citizcn nccus to gct thcir attcntion, onc of thc most
cffcctivc routcs is through thc ncighborhoou party rcprcscntativc
knovn as party committcc mcmbcr.
But, in orucr to nnu out vho your ncighborhoou rcprcscntativcs
arc or to run for this post of party committcc mcmbcr yoursclf, you
nrst nccu to nnu out in vhich clcction uistrict you livc in. You can
uo this by calling your tovn or city clcrk or thc County Boaru of
Flcctions. Thcy havc clcction uistrict maps uiviuing your tovn into
ncighborhoou clcction uistricts. Thc clcrk anu thc County Boaru of
Flcctions ofncials can also givc you thc namcs of thc four citizcns
clcctcu from your ncighborhoou anu a copy of thc map shoving thc
bounuarics of your ncighborhoou clcction uistrict.
ou have the right to ruo Ior a party coittee seat, iI you.
a} Will bc 18 ycars olu by thc ncxt clcction,
b} Arc a rcsiucnt of thc clcction uistrict, anu
c} Arc rcgistcrcu to votc as a party mcmbcr.
8eeber.
Call your town clerk
or the County oard
of Elections to hnd
out what voting
district you live in.
You have the right
to run for couuittee
ueuber if you are
18 years old
Fesident of the
election district
Fegistered to vote
as a party ueuber
CH/||| 2
Il
If you mcct thcsc thrcc qualincations, you can go to thc municipal
clcrk anu rcqucst a nominating pctition form to run for a party
committcc scat. If you arc not yct rcgistcrcu to votc as a party
mcmbcr, you can also ask for a party ucclaration form. Iill out thc
forms, gct 1u signaturcs of your party mcmbcrs vho livc in your
clcction uistrict, onc of vhich can bc yours. Your namc vill appcar
on thc primary clcction ballot. Thc pctition shoulu thcn bc nlcu
by thc ucaulinc vith thc county clcrk (53 uays bcforc thc primary
clcction). It is not cspccially haru to vin a party committcc scat. Oftcn
committcc scats arc vacant, anu, if you run anu votc for yoursclf, you
vin. In othcr cascs, committcc scats arc von vith votc counts likc
24 to 19. If you arc villing to talk to a fcv uozcn ncighbors, you can
urum up cnough votcs to vin. You uo not nccu a campaign var chcst
or a campaign organization. You just nccu to bc villing to ask your
ncighbors to votc for you. You uo not cvcn nccu thc pcrmission of
thc party lcaucrs, although a politically smart canuiuatc voulu almost
alvays scck thc party lcaucrs` support as a nrst stcp. If thcy uo not
choosc to support you, you still can run. Thc commitmcnt rcquircu
to run for a political party committcc scat voulu takc a maximum
of 2 hours a vcck for 6 vccks, anu no moncy. If you consiucr that
committcc pcrsons rcprcscnt an avcragc of uu votcrs, about half
of thosc vill bclong to your party. At an avcragc of tvo pcoplc pcr
housholu, thcsc 35u votcrs arc containcu vithin 15 houscs. Onc
coulu concicvably knock on 3u uoors in tvo hours if on foot. It
voulu ultimatcly takc lcss than 12 total hours to campaign in your
uistrict! Oncc clcctcu to bc a party committcc mcmbcr rcprcscnting
your ncighborhoou, you gain ccrtain lcgal rights:
1. ou have the right to atteod the aoouaI orgaoitiog eetiog oI your
IocaI party. Thc lav rcquircs that this mccting occur on thc
Vonuay immcuiatcly folloving thc primary clcction at vhich
you vcrc clcctcu.
2. ou have the right to ove Ior aod seek adoptioo oI a IocaI party
coostitutioo at the aoouaI orgaoitiog eetiog. Statc lav cxplicitly
statcs that municipal party committccs can auopt constitutions
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Fvcn if onc is not intcrcstcu in or ablc to run for a party committcc
scat, it is important to knov about thc rolc anu povcr of thcsc
ncighborhoou party rcprcscntativcs, sincc thcy havc inuucncc
ovcr thc clcctcu anu appointcu ofncials of thcir rcspcctivc partics.
If a citizcn nccus to gct thc attcntion of thc govcrnmcnt, onc of
thc morc cffcctivc routcs is through your ncighborhoou party
rcprcscntativcs.
In many cascs, party committcc mcmbcrs also havc inuucncc
vith ofncials clcctcu in non-partisan clcctions, vhcrc party labcls
arc not listcu on thc ballot (All Ncv Jcrscy clcctions for school
boaru arc non-partisan anu somc citizcns also clcct thcir council
anu mayor this vay). This is bccausc party committcc mcmbcrs arc
oftcn lookcu to by votcrs in thcir ncighborhoous for information
anu auvicc about canuiuatcs for all local ofnccs. Auuitionally, most
ofncials clcctcu in non-partisan clcctions havc party mcmbcrship
anu may aspirc to party posts or futurc public ofncc on thc party
tickct, anu knov that party committcc mcmbcrs arc important to
thcir urcams of auvanccmcnt.
Whcthcr a public ofncial is clcctcu in a partisan or non-partisan
clcction, if a citizcn nccus to gct thcir attcntion, onc of thc most
cffcctivc routcs is through thc ncighborhoou party rcprcscntativc
knovn as party committcc mcmbcr.
But, in orucr to nnu out vho your ncighborhoou rcprcscntativcs
arc or to run for this post of party committcc mcmbcr yoursclf, you
nrst nccu to nnu out in vhich clcction uistrict you livc in. You can
uo this by calling your tovn or city clcrk or thc County Boaru of
Flcctions. Thcy havc clcction uistrict maps uiviuing your tovn into
ncighborhoou clcction uistricts. Thc clcrk anu thc County Boaru of
Flcctions ofncials can also givc you thc namcs of thc four citizcns
clcctcu from your ncighborhoou anu a copy of thc map shoving thc
bounuarics of your ncighborhoou clcction uistrict.
ou have the right to ruo Ior a party coittee seat, iI you.
a} Will bc 18 ycars olu by thc ncxt clcction,
b} Arc a rcsiucnt of thc clcction uistrict, anu
c} Arc rcgistcrcu to votc as a party mcmbcr.
8eeber.
Call your town clerk
or the County oard
of Elections to hnd
out what voting
district you live in.
You have the right
to run for couuittee
ueuber if you are
18 years old
Fesident of the
election district
Fegistered to vote
as a party ueuber
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anu by-lavs to govcrn thcir affairs. You shoulu ask thc party
chair for an cxisting constitution anu/or by-lavs anu for copics
of thosc. Fvcn if thcsc uocumcnts alrcauy cxist, thcy may nccu
to bc strcngthcncu.

Thc constitution can proviuc that thc party-cnuorscu canuiuatcs
for clcctcu anu appointcu positions bc choscn by a full votc of
thc committcc mcmbcrs rathcr than a nominating committcc.
Othcr provisions can givc thc povcr to committcc mcmbcrs
to votc upon lcvcls of local campaign spcnuing anu on local
party platforms, vhich auurcss thc issucs of your tovn or
ncighborhoou.
3. ou aIso have the IegaI right to vote oo the eIectioo oI your IocaI
party chair aod vice-chair at your IocaI party's aoouaI orgaoitiog
eetiog. With thc right to votc on thc sclcction of party
cnuorscu canuiuatcs for clcctivc anu appointivc ofncc anu thc
right to votc on thc party`s spcnuing anu platform, a committcc
mcmbcr can viclu grcat inuucncc not only ovcr party mattcrs,
but also ovcr thc local govcrnmcnt. So cvcn if you uo not
run for a party committcc scat, it is important to knov vho
thc committcc mcmbcrs arc, cspccially thc four from your
ncighborhoou clcction uistrict.
4. Wheo a vacaocy occurs io the IegisIature, coittee ebers
oI the party oI the vacatiog IegisIator are authorited by state Iaw
to seIect the repIaceeot without aoy Iurther vote by the geoeraI
pubIic. Thc rcplaccmcnt proccss involvcs a convcntion to vhich
thc committcc pcoplc of thc lcgislator`s uistrict cach havc onc
votc in thc sclcction of thc rcplaccmcnt lcgislator. A surprising
numbcr of lcgislators arc choscn in this manncr. (N.J. Const. art.
IV, 4, par. 1 anu N.J.S.A. 19:13-2u. )
Onc last point: somc tovns havc local chaptcrs of thiru partics likc
thc Grccn Party, thc Rcform Party, thc Conscrvativc Party anu othcrs.
If thc Dcmocrat anu Rcpublican Partics uo not rcprcscnt your vicvs
CH/||| 2
I7
or you fccl you cannot havc your voicc hcaru by thcsc partics, it is
important to knov that you havc a choicc.
Unfortunatcly, statc lav scts a high thrcsholu for thiru partics
to gain acccss to thc primary ballot. Prcscntly, only thc Dcmocrat
anu Rcpublican canuiuatcs appcar on thc primary ballot, anu only
rcgistcrcu Dcmocrats anu Rcpublicans arc pcrmittcu to votc in thc
primary clcction. A comprchcnsivc list of thc lcgal rights of citizcns,
vith rcspcct to local political partics, is containcu in Chaptcr Tcn of
this hanubook.

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anu by-lavs to govcrn thcir affairs. You shoulu ask thc party
chair for an cxisting constitution anu/or by-lavs anu for copics
of thosc. Fvcn if thcsc uocumcnts alrcauy cxist, thcy may nccu
to bc strcngthcncu.

Thc constitution can proviuc that thc party-cnuorscu canuiuatcs
for clcctcu anu appointcu positions bc choscn by a full votc of
thc committcc mcmbcrs rathcr than a nominating committcc.
Othcr provisions can givc thc povcr to committcc mcmbcrs
to votc upon lcvcls of local campaign spcnuing anu on local
party platforms, vhich auurcss thc issucs of your tovn or
ncighborhoou.
3. ou aIso have the IegaI right to vote oo the eIectioo oI your IocaI
party chair aod vice-chair at your IocaI party's aoouaI orgaoitiog
eetiog. With thc right to votc on thc sclcction of party
cnuorscu canuiuatcs for clcctivc anu appointivc ofncc anu thc
right to votc on thc party`s spcnuing anu platform, a committcc
mcmbcr can viclu grcat inuucncc not only ovcr party mattcrs,
but also ovcr thc local govcrnmcnt. So cvcn if you uo not
run for a party committcc scat, it is important to knov vho
thc committcc mcmbcrs arc, cspccially thc four from your
ncighborhoou clcction uistrict.
4. Wheo a vacaocy occurs io the IegisIature, coittee ebers
oI the party oI the vacatiog IegisIator are authorited by state Iaw
to seIect the repIaceeot without aoy Iurther vote by the geoeraI
pubIic. Thc rcplaccmcnt proccss involvcs a convcntion to vhich
thc committcc pcoplc of thc lcgislator`s uistrict cach havc onc
votc in thc sclcction of thc rcplaccmcnt lcgislator. A surprising
numbcr of lcgislators arc choscn in this manncr. (N.J. Const. art.
IV, 4, par. 1 anu N.J.S.A. 19:13-2u. )
Onc last point: somc tovns havc local chaptcrs of thiru partics likc
thc Grccn Party, thc Rcform Party, thc Conscrvativc Party anu othcrs.
If thc Dcmocrat anu Rcpublican Partics uo not rcprcscnt your vicvs
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ZJ
BECOMING A POWERFUL
CITIZEN LEGISLATOR
THE VOTING BOOTH
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 3
THE CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSAL
THE RESPECTFUL PRESENTATION
CHAPTER 4
POLITICAL POWER LEVERS
CHAPTER 5
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Ch/|I|K IhK||.
Ih| CN'IKUCI|\| |K|'/|
To iucntify a problcm is to complain. To iucntify a problcm anu offcr a
solution is to lcau. Citizcns oftcn appcar bcforc govcrnmcntal povcr
ccntcrs vhcn a problcm ariscs vhich affccts thcir ncighborhoou, for
cxamplc, a trafnc safcty issuc at a particular intcrscction or a problcm
vith urug ucaling at a ncarby park. Thcy fccl that by bringing thc
problcm to thc ofncials` attcntion, thcy havc uonc thcir job, anu thcy
arc right, in part. Hovcvcr, thcy voulu bc much morc cffcctivc if
thcy offcrcu a solution or at lcast a nrst stcp tovarus a solution.
Iocal public ofncials oftcn vork long hours ucaling vith an
cxtcnsivc list of ongoing rcsponsibilitics. Holuing anothcr problcm
to thcir platc vithout cvcn trying to hclp nnu a solution can appcar
to bc complaining. This is cspccially so vhcn an ofncial puts in a
full-uay`s vork at thcir privatc job anu thcn rushcs to thc Council or
School Boaru mccting to put in anothcr scvcral hours of vork.
A citizcn vho offcrs a constructivc proposal to auurcss thc
problcm that hc or shc iucntincs vill not alvays gct thc solution
proposcu. Hovcvcr, hc or shc vill usually rcccivc a bcttcr rcsponsc
bccausc thcy arc clcarly trying to hclp, rathcr than just auuing
anothcr problcm to an alrcauy ovcruoving platc of public busincss.
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SlEP CME:
RESEARCH PASl DlSCSSlCMS AMD
ACllCMS CF lHE PCVER CEMlER
This hclpful approach to community problcm
solving is improvcu vhcn thc citizcn takcs thc timc
to rcscarch vhat uiscussions thc ofncials havc hau
anu any actions thcy may havc takcn vith rcspcct
to thc particular problcm in thc past. This can bc
uonc by making a govcrnmcnt rccorus rcqucst
for any minutcs of mcctings vhcrc thc problcm
vas uiscusscu or any rcsolutions of thc povcr ccntcr to takc action
on thc problcm, or to rcfcr it to a boaru, committcc, or auvisor for
consiucration.
A citizcn vho shovs rcspcct for any past cfforts of ofncials
to auurcss thc problcm at hanu vill alvays bc bcttcr rcccivcu.
Iurthcrmorc, a solution that takcs thcsc past cfforts into account vill
bc lcss likcly to bc rcjcctcu vith an ofncial`s asscrtion that thc povcr
ccntcr is alrcauy vorking on thc issuc or has rcfcrrcu it to such
anu such committcc. Simply put, a proposal that builus upon past
cfforts vill usually urav thc ofncials into a uialoguc about furthcring
thc solution anu vill bc lcss likcly to gcncratc a ucfcnsivc rcaction.
SlEP lVC:
MAKE SRE YCR PRCPCSAL lS VllHlM lHE PCVER
CEMlERS AlHCRllY
It is also important to uctcrminc that thc povcr ccntcr has thc
authorityto takc thc action suggcstcu. Ior cxamplc, a proposal to
install a stoplight at a uangcrous intcrscction may bc rcjcctcu by thc
tovn or city council bccausc thc roau in qucstion is a county or statc
roau. If thc citizcn has uctcrmincu in auvancc that this is thc casc, thc
citizcn can ask thc council to auopt a rcsolution rcqucsting that thc
county or statc takc action to auurcss thc uangcrous intcrscction.
Information about thc jurisuiction of thc povcr ccntcr to auurcss
thc iucntincu problcm can bc obtaincu from thc tovn, thc city
auministrator, or somctimcs thc tovn clcrk. Also, thc Ncv Jcrscy
CH/||| o
Z
Icaguc of Vunicipalitics, vhich can bc rcachcu at (6u9) 695-3481,
anu thc Ncv Jcrscy Icaguc of Womcn Votcrs, vhich can bc rcachcu
at (6u9) 394-33u3, can bc hclpful in this rcgaru.
SlEP lHREE:
lDEMllFY A FMDlMG SCRCE
Onc nnal mattcr shoulu bc takcn into account vhcn ucvcloping
a constructivc proposal. If thc solution rcquircs funuing, anu
most solutions uo, it is important to iucntify a sourcc of funus.
Ior cxamplc, if thc proposal is to auu a policc ofnccr to patrol
problcm parks against urug ucaling, it is hclpful to uctcrminc
if thcrc arc any community policing grants availablc from thc
statc or fcucral govcrnmcnt. If not, anu onc must look to thc
tovn or city govcrnmcnt`s buugct, thc citizcn might ask if thc problcm
coulu bc rcfcrrcu to thc policc chicf to scc if cxisting patrols coulu bc
rcarrangcu or if it voulu bc prcfcrablc to auu funuing for auuitional
patrol capacity to ncxt ycar`s buugct.
To sum up, citizcns vho proviuc a constructivc proposal to auurcss
a problcm arc morc likcly to gct a positivc rcsponsc. A constructivc
proposal has thrcc componcnts: (1) it acknovlcugcs past uiscussions
anu actions of thc povcr ccntcr`s ofncials, (2) propcr authority to
act has bccn iucntincu, (3) It iucntincs thc sourcc of any funuing
nccucu for thc solution.
A heIpfuI hint:
For couuunity probleus that do not have a clear, easy solution, it is advisable to
offer a hrst step" as the constructive proposal. For exauple, if the probleu is
drug dealing in one or uore parks, the cititen uay propose that the town or city
council adopt a resolution asking the police chief and the recreation couuittee
to discuss the probleu and present their recouuendation to the council within
a specihed period of tiue. lt is hard for ofhcials to reject the idea of looking into
the probleu and this hrst step will often get the ball rolling toward a satisfactory
solution. however, this approach should not be used as an alternative to doing
the recouuended research. Whether the constructive proposal is a hnal
solution or a hrst step, a cititen who has done the research will always be better
received and uore successful.
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SlEP CME:
RESEARCH PASl DlSCSSlCMS AMD
ACllCMS CF lHE PCVER CEMlER
This hclpful approach to community problcm
solving is improvcu vhcn thc citizcn takcs thc timc
to rcscarch vhat uiscussions thc ofncials havc hau
anu any actions thcy may havc takcn vith rcspcct
to thc particular problcm in thc past. This can bc
uonc by making a govcrnmcnt rccorus rcqucst
for any minutcs of mcctings vhcrc thc problcm
vas uiscusscu or any rcsolutions of thc povcr ccntcr to takc action
on thc problcm, or to rcfcr it to a boaru, committcc, or auvisor for
consiucration.
A citizcn vho shovs rcspcct for any past cfforts of ofncials
to auurcss thc problcm at hanu vill alvays bc bcttcr rcccivcu.
Iurthcrmorc, a solution that takcs thcsc past cfforts into account vill
bc lcss likcly to bc rcjcctcu vith an ofncial`s asscrtion that thc povcr
ccntcr is alrcauy vorking on thc issuc or has rcfcrrcu it to such
anu such committcc. Simply put, a proposal that builus upon past
cfforts vill usually urav thc ofncials into a uialoguc about furthcring
thc solution anu vill bc lcss likcly to gcncratc a ucfcnsivc rcaction.
SlEP lVC:
MAKE SRE YCR PRCPCSAL lS VllHlM lHE PCVER
CEMlERS AlHCRllY
It is also important to uctcrminc that thc povcr ccntcr has thc
authorityto takc thc action suggcstcu. Ior cxamplc, a proposal to
install a stoplight at a uangcrous intcrscction may bc rcjcctcu by thc
tovn or city council bccausc thc roau in qucstion is a county or statc
roau. If thc citizcn has uctcrmincu in auvancc that this is thc casc, thc
citizcn can ask thc council to auopt a rcsolution rcqucsting that thc
county or statc takc action to auurcss thc uangcrous intcrscction.
Information about thc jurisuiction of thc povcr ccntcr to auurcss
thc iucntincu problcm can bc obtaincu from thc tovn, thc city
auministrator, or somctimcs thc tovn clcrk. Also, thc Ncv Jcrscy
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Ch/|I|K |UK.
Ih| K|'||CI|U| |K|'|NI/I|N
|re:ea||aj ||e Cea:|rct||e |reje:c|
Thc most pcrsuasivc prcscntation is thc rcspcctful prcscntation. A
rcspcctful approach commanus a rcspcctful rcsponsc. Fvcn in thc
rarc instancc vhcn a mcmbcr of a povcr ccntcr trcats a citizcn`s offcr
of a constructivc proposal uisrcspcctfully, thc citizcn`s rcspcctful
approach vill commanu thc rcspcct of thc ncvspapcr rcportcrs in
attcnuancc anu of othcr mcmbcrs of thc povcr ccntcr. Iurthcrmorc,
thc public is vatching, oftcn by local cablc tclcviscu covcragc, anu it
is thc public vho vill votc upon thc ofncial`s rc-clcction.
A rcspcctful opcning statcmcnt is most important to sct thc tonc
for thc prcscntation, anu it must incluuc thc citizcn`s namc anu
auurcss for thc rccoru.

EXAMPLE OF A GOOD OPENING IS:

Mayor _________ (or if the uayor is not in attendance Council Fresident_
______), ueubers of the Council, uy naue is ____________________ and
l reside at ________________. l appreciate the opportunity to speak to
you tonight and to hear your thoughts on what l hope you will consider a
constructive proposal."
Hcrc arc somc auuitional tips on hov to bc most cffcctivc vhcn
prcscnting a constructivc proposal:
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llP 1: CBlAlM A CCPY CF lHE RLES FCR ClllZEM lMPl
Iocal govcrnmcnt povcr ccntcrs usually havc rulcs that cstablish
thc proccuurc for a citizcn to spcak to thc Council, School Boaru
or Planning Boaru. Thcsc rulcs gcncrally proviuc for tvo uiffcrcnt
opportunitics for citizcns to auurcss thc povcr ccntcr.
At thc tovn or city council thcrc is thc opportunity for citizcns
to commcnt on anu to ask qucstions about proposcu oruinanccs
(local lavs) that havc bccn introuuccu anu arc rcauy to bc votcu
upon. Statc lav (N.J.S.A. 4u:49-2) rcquircs that thcrc bc a public
hcaring on all oruinanccs bcforc a votc on thcir auoption. This
opportunity cxists only at so callcu rcgular mcctings of thc Council,
as uistinguishcu from agcnua mcctings vhcrc proposcu oruinanccs
can bc introuuccu but not votcu into lav.
Thc othcr opportunity for citizcns to spcak oftcn pcrmits citizcns
to raisc thcir ovn issucs anu proposals. This right to spcak cxists at
both agcnua mcctings anu rcgular mcctings of thc Council anu is
guarantccu by statc lav (N.J.S.A.1u:4-12).
Citizcns vho vish to spcak to thc council on thcir ovn issuc or
proposal, as opposcu to qucstioning or commcnting on proposcu
oruinanccs, may bc rcquircu to sign up in auvancc. Whilc usually
rcquirc that thc citizcn sign up to spcak at thc bcginning of thc
Council mccting, at lcast onc city rcquircs thc citizcn to sign up uays
bcforc thc mccting.
Thc rulcs also oftcn spccify at vhat point uuring thc mccting
citizcns may spcak on thcir ovn proposals. Iinu this out in auvancc
of thc mccting bccausc thc public spcaking portion may not comc
until latc in thc cvcning anu babysitting or othcr arrangcmcnts may
nccu to bc mauc.
Anothcr important part of thc rulcs is thc lcngth of timc cach
citizcn has for thcir rcmarks. It is uscful to knov hov long you
arc pcrmittcu to spcak so that you can tailor your rcmarks to
nt this timc pcriou. Somctimcs citizcns tcam up to makc a
prcscntation in parts that coulu not nt into a singlc citizcn`s
timc pcriou. If a citizcn is rcquircu to sign up, all citizcns vho
arc tcaming up shoulu sign up in thc orucr in vhich thcy intcnu
to spcak.
CH/||| ^
Z7
llP 2: PREPARE YCR PRESEMlAllCM
Sincc most rulcs govcrning citizcn prcscntations at council mcctings
sct a timc limit for cach citizcn to spcak, it is smart to prcparc your
prcscntation in auvancc. Prcparation not only hclps you to nt your
rcmarks vithin thc pcrmittcu timc, it also givcs you a bcttcr chancc
to covcr thc points ncccssary for a rcspcctful, constructivc, anu
thcrcforc politically cffcctivc prcscntation.
Hcrc is a samplc prcscntation format:
STEP 1: RespectfuI opening remarks
Vayor _________ (or if thc mayor is not in attcnuancc
Council Prcsiucnt_______), mcmbcrs of thc Council, my
namc is ____________________ anu I rcsiuc at ___________
_____. I apprcciatc thc opportunity to spcak to you tonight
anu to hcar your thoughts on vhat I hopc you vill consiucr
a constructivc proposal.
STEP 2: Recognize any past and present efforts of the counciI
to deaI with the issue you are speaking about. Shoving
apprcciation for thcir cfforts vill hclp thcm apprcciatc your
cffort.
STEP 3: Make your proposaI with a reaIistic request for
action. Asking thc council to takc a practical , nrst stcp is a
constructivc anu politically cffcctivc approach. Ior cxamplc,
it`s haru for a council to rcfusc to takc a look at a problcm
by assigning its rcvicv to an ofncial or a committcc vith a
rcqucst for a rcport back to thc council.
STEP 4: CIosing remarks with a cIincher
This proposal is rcspcctfully mauc to thc council (or mayor
anu council, if thc mayor is prcscnt) for its consiucration.
Whcn, may I ask, vill thc council givc its rcsponsc.
Citizcns oftcn makc intclligcnt, rcsponsiblc prcscntations, but
if thcy uo not makc a rcalistic rcqucst anu ask for thc timc vhcn
thc council vill rcsponu to thc rcqucst, thc council may thank thc
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llP 1: CBlAlM A CCPY CF lHE RLES FCR ClllZEM lMPl
Iocal govcrnmcnt povcr ccntcrs usually havc rulcs that cstablish
thc proccuurc for a citizcn to spcak to thc Council, School Boaru
or Planning Boaru. Thcsc rulcs gcncrally proviuc for tvo uiffcrcnt
opportunitics for citizcns to auurcss thc povcr ccntcr.
At thc tovn or city council thcrc is thc opportunity for citizcns
to commcnt on anu to ask qucstions about proposcu oruinanccs
(local lavs) that havc bccn introuuccu anu arc rcauy to bc votcu
upon. Statc lav (N.J.S.A. 4u:49-2) rcquircs that thcrc bc a public
hcaring on all oruinanccs bcforc a votc on thcir auoption. This
opportunity cxists only at so callcu rcgular mcctings of thc Council,
as uistinguishcu from agcnua mcctings vhcrc proposcu oruinanccs
can bc introuuccu but not votcu into lav.
Thc othcr opportunity for citizcns to spcak oftcn pcrmits citizcns
to raisc thcir ovn issucs anu proposals. This right to spcak cxists at
both agcnua mcctings anu rcgular mcctings of thc Council anu is
guarantccu by statc lav (N.J.S.A.1u:4-12).
Citizcns vho vish to spcak to thc council on thcir ovn issuc or
proposal, as opposcu to qucstioning or commcnting on proposcu
oruinanccs, may bc rcquircu to sign up in auvancc. Whilc usually
rcquirc that thc citizcn sign up to spcak at thc bcginning of thc
Council mccting, at lcast onc city rcquircs thc citizcn to sign up uays
bcforc thc mccting.
Thc rulcs also oftcn spccify at vhat point uuring thc mccting
citizcns may spcak on thcir ovn proposals. Iinu this out in auvancc
of thc mccting bccausc thc public spcaking portion may not comc
until latc in thc cvcning anu babysitting or othcr arrangcmcnts may
nccu to bc mauc.
Anothcr important part of thc rulcs is thc lcngth of timc cach
citizcn has for thcir rcmarks. It is uscful to knov hov long you
arc pcrmittcu to spcak so that you can tailor your rcmarks to
nt this timc pcriou. Somctimcs citizcns tcam up to makc a
prcscntation in parts that coulu not nt into a singlc citizcn`s
timc pcriou. If a citizcn is rcquircu to sign up, all citizcns vho
arc tcaming up shoulu sign up in thc orucr in vhich thcy intcnu
to spcak.
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citizcn for thc information anu procccu to thc ncxt proposal. In thc
proccss, thc citizcn is lcft unccrtain about vhat, if any, action vill bc
takcn anu is oftcn unccrtain about vhat thc council thinks about thc
prcscntation.
llP 3: DRESS APPRCPRlAlELY
In most cascs busincss attirc is bcst, cspccially if thc ofncials vcar
busincss attirc at thc mcctings. At a minimum, casual busincss clothcs
arc rcquircu. Drcssing appropriatcly is part of shoving rcspcct, anu
it is a basic fact of lifc that imprcssions arc formcu bascu on hov vc
urcss. If you urcss scriously, you vill havc a bcttcr chancc of bcing
takcn scriously.
llP 4: ARRlVE Al LEASl 1 MlMlES EARLY
This vill usually proviuc an opportunity to introuucc yoursclf to thc
govcrnmcnt ofncials anu to mcmbcrs of thc mcuia, as vcll as to pick
up anu rcvicv thc agcnua anu copics of proposcu oruinanccs that
arc usually availablc. Also, ask thc clcrk if thcrc is a sign-in shcct. All
of this vill prcvcnt you from fccling rushcu.
llP : BE PCLllE, YCRE CM lHE RECCRD
If you vant to gct rcspcct, you nccu to givc rcspcct. Govcrnmcnt
ofncials, likc most human bcings, uo not rcsponu vcll to ruucncss,
shouting or pcrsonal attacks. It is bcst to makc your casc in
convcrsational toncs anu to bcgin by thanking thc ofncials for giving
you thc opportunity to spcak. Rcmcmbcr, you catch morc uics vith
honcy, so uo not bccomc argumcntativc.
llP : REALlZE YC ARE CM lHE RECCRD
It is important to rcalizc that rcportcrs arc usually prcscnt at
mcctings of govcrnmcnt bouics. As a rcsult, it is possiblc that you
may bc quotcu in ncvspapcr articlcs about thc mccting, anu that
occasionally part of your rcmarks may bc nlmcu anu uscu as part of
a tclcvision ncvs account. This is an opportunity to makc your casc
to a broaucr auuicncc. You vill incrcasc thc possibility of gctting
mcuia covcragc if you think about vays to attract mcuia attcntion
CH/||| ^
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as you craft your statcmcnt. At thc samc timc, it is important to not
say anything that voulu makc you uncomfortablc rcauing in thc
ncvspapcr thc ncxt morning.
llP Z: BE PREPARED lC ASK FCLLCVP CESllCMS
Oftcn thc council or povcr ccntcr vill hcar a citizcn proposal anu
thcn rcfcr it to a subcommittcc or govcrnmcnt profcssional, c.g., thc
tovn`s lavycr or auministrator. Iollov-up on your proposal vill bc
uifncult if you uo not ask thc council thc folloving qucstions:
1} May I pIease ask Ior what purpose (iI oot aIready stated}
this atter is beiog reIerred to the subcoittee or
proIessiooaI!
2} May I aIso ask wheo the subcoittee or proIessiooaI
wiII report back to this body aod the pubIic!
Thcsc qucstions hclp to cnsurc that you vill gct a rcsponsc to your
proposal.
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citizcn for thc information anu procccu to thc ncxt proposal. In thc
proccss, thc citizcn is lcft unccrtain about vhat, if any, action vill bc
takcn anu is oftcn unccrtain about vhat thc council thinks about thc
prcscntation.
llP 3: DRESS APPRCPRlAlELY
In most cascs busincss attirc is bcst, cspccially if thc ofncials vcar
busincss attirc at thc mcctings. At a minimum, casual busincss clothcs
arc rcquircu. Drcssing appropriatcly is part of shoving rcspcct, anu
it is a basic fact of lifc that imprcssions arc formcu bascu on hov vc
urcss. If you urcss scriously, you vill havc a bcttcr chancc of bcing
takcn scriously.
llP 4: ARRlVE Al LEASl 1 MlMlES EARLY
This vill usually proviuc an opportunity to introuucc yoursclf to thc
govcrnmcnt ofncials anu to mcmbcrs of thc mcuia, as vcll as to pick
up anu rcvicv thc agcnua anu copics of proposcu oruinanccs that
arc usually availablc. Also, ask thc clcrk if thcrc is a sign-in shcct. All
of this vill prcvcnt you from fccling rushcu.
llP : BE PCLllE, YCRE CM lHE RECCRD
If you vant to gct rcspcct, you nccu to givc rcspcct. Govcrnmcnt
ofncials, likc most human bcings, uo not rcsponu vcll to ruucncss,
shouting or pcrsonal attacks. It is bcst to makc your casc in
convcrsational toncs anu to bcgin by thanking thc ofncials for giving
you thc opportunity to spcak. Rcmcmbcr, you catch morc uics vith
honcy, so uo not bccomc argumcntativc.
llP : REALlZE YC ARE CM lHE RECCRD
It is important to rcalizc that rcportcrs arc usually prcscnt at
mcctings of govcrnmcnt bouics. As a rcsult, it is possiblc that you
may bc quotcu in ncvspapcr articlcs about thc mccting, anu that
occasionally part of your rcmarks may bc nlmcu anu uscu as part of
a tclcvision ncvs account. This is an opportunity to makc your casc
to a broaucr auuicncc. You vill incrcasc thc possibility of gctting
mcuia covcragc if you think about vays to attract mcuia attcntion
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If you havc constructcu a rcsponsiblc proposal anu mauc
rcspcctful prcscntation (scc chaptcrs thrcc anu four), you havc
not only bccn rcsponsiblc anu rcspcctful, you havc bccn politically
cffcctivc. As a rcsult, you havc probably causcu thc povcr ccntcr
to at lcast cngagc in scrious consiucration of your proposal. If thc
povcr ccntcr is unablc or unvilling to givc fair attcntion to your
proposal, your rcspcctful prcscntation of a rcsponsiblc proposal puts
you in a pcrfcct position to usc thc political povcr lcvcrs of public
ucbatc. Iurthcr, cvcn if thc povcr ccntcr is giving your proposal
thc attcntion it mcrits, cxcrcising thcsc povcr lcvcrs can oftcn mcan
thc uiffcrcncc bctvccn rcalizing thc auoption of your proposal anu
falling just short of succcss.
Ihis chapter describes the Iour priocipaI power Ievers.
1) Local parIy oIIcials
2) EdiIorial boards
3) CommuhiIy orgahizaIiohs
4) Ah orgahized ciIizehry
Scnsiblc auvicc for hov to gcncratc positivc prcss anu stimulatc a
hcalthy ucbatc is trcatcu in a scparatc scction callcu Thc Prcss.
Iinally, a scction on contact civics is incluucu vhich ucscribcs
thosc povcr lcvcrs lcgally availablc to you if you arc villing to put
yoursclf on thc linc as a canuiuatc for local party or govcrnmcnt
ofncc, or as a pctitioncr for a votcr rcfcrcnuum or for a rccall votc.
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PCVER LEVERS
Ne|j||er|eei |cr| Cemm|||ee-em|er: - As outlincu in thc chaptcr on
political partics, municipalitics arc uiviucu into clcction uistricts of
bctvccn uu anu 1,uuu rcgistcrcu votcrs. In cach clcction uistrict thc
major political partics arc rcprcscntcu by tvo committcc-mcmbcrs,
onc malc, anu onc fcmalc, clcctcu by party mcmbcrs cithcr oncc a
ycar or cvcry tvo ycars uuring thc Junc primary. Committcc-mcmbcrs
havc a voicc in thc sclcction of thc party`s rccommcnucu slatc of
canuiuatcs anu, as a rcsult, vhcn thcy vcigh in on an issuc, clcctcu
ofncials of thcir party listcn thcm to closcly. Fnlisting party committcc-
mcmbcrs in support of your proposal can yiclu major uiviucnus. As
ncighborhoou rcprcscntativcs thcy arc usually vcry rcsponsivc to
conccrns raiscu by ncighborhoou rcsiucnts. Whilc somc citics anu
all school uistricts clcct thcir ofncials in non-partisan clcctions. Onc
might think that voulu rcuucc thc inuucncc of committcc-mcmbcrs.
Hovcvcr, party committcc mcmbcrs usually havc strong unofncial
conncctions to thcsc ofncials vho tcnu to bc activc Dcmocrats or
Rcpublicans, cvcn if thcy run vithout a party labcl. In othcr vorus,
no mattcr vhcthcr clcctcu ofncials run in partisan or non-partisan
clcctions, thc party committcc-mcmbcr is still an important povcr
lcvcr (Scc chaptcr tvo for information on hov to gct thc namcs anu
auurcsscs of party committcc-mcmbcrs).

New:jcjer |i||er|c| |ecri: - Public ofncials pay closc attcntion to
thc opinions of thc local ncvspapcr as cxprcsscu on thcir cuitorial
pagc. Usually locatcu in thc back of thc nrst scction of thc papcr,
thc cuitorial pagc outlincs thc publishcrs` opinions on local, statc
anu national issucs. Schcuuling an cuitorial boaru mccting in vhich
you outlinc your proposal to thc cuitorial pagc cuitor anu othcrs
in orucr to gcncratc a favorablc cuitorial is thc bcst vay to usc this
povcr lcvcr to auvancc your goals. If a ncvspapcr vill not schcuulc
a mccting vith you, scnuing thc cuitorial pagc cuitor thc proposal,
supportcu by a bricf argumcnt for vhy it shoulu bc auoptcu, can
oftcn gcncratc a favorablc cuitorial. In auuition to lcvcragc from
cuitorial boarus, you can also involvc thc rcportcrs in your proposal.
CH/||| '
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Vcthous for gaining positivc covcragc for your proposal arc founu in
thc scction of this chaptcr cntitlcu Thc Prcss.

Cemmca|| rjca|tc||ea: - Gaining thc support of unions, busincss
organizations or public intcrcst groups, particularly oncs vith
signincant mcmbcrships, vill hclp builu momcntum for your
proposal. Unions havc a long history of inuucncing, organizing anu
mobilizing pcoplc. Busincss organizations can hclp gcncratc popular
anu cuitorial support. Public Intcrcst groups can hclp you gain thc
support of ncighborhoou activists. Dcpcnuing on thc contcnt of
your proposal, ccrtain organizations vill bc morc important than
othcrs. Ior cxamplc, an anti-crimc proposal can bc givcn a big boost
if thc local Policc Bcncvolcnt Association supports it, vhilc a plan to
promotc cconomic ucvclopmcnt anu jobs can bc givcn a boost by
support from thc Chambcr of Commcrcc. Vany local organizations
nccu spcakcrs on topics of intcrcst for thcir monthly mccting. If you
havc constructcu a rcsponsiblc proposal, you can offcr to spcak at
thcsc mcctings.

|e||ew C|||tea: - Whcn citizcns arc organizcu anu visiblc, public
ofncials, particularly clcctcu oncs, arc highly rcsponsivc to thcir vicvs,
if thcy arc convinccu thcy vill act on thcm, cspccially arounu clcction
timc. Dcmonstrating that thcrc arc signincant numbcrs of citizcns
in thc community that activcly support your position is onc of thc
kcys to gaining its auoption. Public ofncials arc usually cithcr clcctcu
or appointcu by somconc vho is clcctcu, as a rcsult, thcy arc highly
scnsitivc to citizcns` conccrns. Aftcr all, citizcns arc votcrs. Thc folloving
outlincs vays to gain citizcn support anu shov that you havc it:
1) HoId an Organizing Meeting -In orucr to cncouragc citizcns
to act, it is uscful to bring thcm togcthcr vith fcllov citizcns
conccrncu about thc samc issuc anu to givc thcm spccinc
actions thcy can takc. An organizing mccting scrvcs this
purposc. Aftcr you makc a list of all knovn or possiblc
supportcrs of your proposal, thcsc citizcns arc rccruitcu to
attcnu through mail invitations, pcrsistcnt follov-up calls,
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PCVER LEVERS
Ne|||er|eei |er| Cemm|||ee-em|er: - As outlincu in thc chaptcr on
political partics, municipalitics arc uiviucu into clcction uistricts of
bctvccn uu anu 1,uuu rcgistcrcu votcrs. In cach clcction uistrict thc
major political partics arc rcprcscntcu by tvo committcc-mcmbcrs,
onc malc, anu onc fcmalc, clcctcu by party mcmbcrs cithcr oncc a
ycar or cvcry tvo ycars uuring thc Junc primary. Committcc-mcmbcrs
havc a voicc in thc sclcction of thc party`s rccommcnucu slatc of
canuiuatcs anu, as a rcsult, vhcn thcy vcigh in on an issuc, clcctcu
ofncials of thcir party listcn thcm to closcly. Fnlisting party committcc-
mcmbcrs in support of your proposal can yiclu major uiviucnus. As
ncighborhoou rcprcscntativcs thcy arc usually vcry rcsponsivc to
conccrns raiscu by ncighborhoou rcsiucnts. Whilc somc citics anu
all school uistricts clcct thcir ofncials in non-partisan clcctions. Onc
might think that voulu rcuucc thc inuucncc of committcc-mcmbcrs.
Hovcvcr, party committcc mcmbcrs usually havc strong unofncial
conncctions to thcsc ofncials vho tcnu to bc activc Dcmocrats or
Rcpublicans, cvcn if thcy run vithout a party labcl. In othcr vorus,
no mattcr vhcthcr clcctcu ofncials run in partisan or non-partisan
clcctions, thc party committcc-mcmbcr is still an important povcr
lcvcr (Scc chaptcr tvo for information on hov to gct thc namcs anu
auurcsscs of party committcc-mcmbcrs).

New:jejer |i||er|e| |eeri: - Public ofncials pay closc attcntion to
thc opinions of thc local ncvspapcr as cxprcsscu on thcir cuitorial
pagc. Usually locatcu in thc back of thc nrst scction of thc papcr,
thc cuitorial pagc outlincs thc publishcrs` opinions on local, statc
anu national issucs. Schcuuling an cuitorial boaru mccting in vhich
you outlinc your proposal to thc cuitorial pagc cuitor anu othcrs
in orucr to gcncratc a favorablc cuitorial is thc bcst vay to usc this
povcr lcvcr to auvancc your goals. If a ncvspapcr vill not schcuulc
a mccting vith you, scnuing thc cuitorial pagc cuitor thc proposal,
supportcu by a bricf argumcnt for vhy it shoulu bc auoptcu, can
oftcn gcncratc a favorablc cuitorial. In auuition to lcvcragc from
cuitorial boarus, you can also involvc thc rcportcrs in your proposal.
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gcncrating mcuia attcntion for thc mccting anu putting up
postcrs at vcll-trafnccu locations. Bcginning anu cxpanuing
an accuratc list of supportcrs of your issuc is thc founuation
of a succcssful organizing mccting anu a kcy ingrcuicnt
to any succcssful grassroots cffort. This vay you can stay
in contact vith thcm anu gcncratc activity vhcn
you nccu it. Thc list shoulu incluuc namc, auurcss,
busincss, ccll, anu homc phoncs, anu c-mail auurcss.
Computcrizing thc list is important, it can savc timc
by alloving you to gcncratc mailing labcls anu by
alloving you to casily auu namcs. Any group mccting
shoulu havc a sign-in shcct so that attcnuccs can bc
auucu to thc list. It shoulu incluuc namc, auurcss,
busincss, ccll anu homc phoncs. Othcr sourccs of
namcs incluuc gctting thc mcmbcrship list of allicu
groups anu asking supportcrs to supply thc namcs of
fricnus anu ncighbors thcy think voulu bc intcrcstcu
in participating.
2) HoId Neighborhood Meetings - You may havc hcaru thc
cxprcssion, all politics is local. Rccognizing that thc most
local componcnt of a tovn or city is thc ncighborhoou, a
goou placc to lcvcragc political povcr is thc ncighborhoou
mccting hclu in your apartmcnt or housc or in a supportcr`s
homc. Start by gctting commitmcnts to attcnu from at lcast six
supportcrs, thcn invitc thc ncighborhoou`s party committcc
mcmbcrs, cspccially thosc of thc party in povcr. Also, invitc
any mcmbcrs of thc appropriatc povcr ccntcr vho livc in thc
ncighborhoou (auurcsscs of committcc mcmbcrs anu povcr
ccntcr mcmbcrs can bc sccurcu from thc tovn clcrk). Flcctcu
anu appointcu ofncials, anu local party committcc mcmbcrs
arc most scnsitivc to proposals anu conccrns coming from
thcir ovn ncighborhoous. This is vhy a ncighborhoou lobby
mccting makcs a politically cffcctivc placc to organizc anu
lcvcragc political povcr.
Creating a website for your organitation
is one of the uost effective ways to get
the word out about your cause.
CH/||| '
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3) Use the Internet -Crcating a vcb sitc for your issuc conccrn
or organization that tclls pcoplc hov to gct involvcu anu
allovs thcm to rcsponu to you so that you knov vhom thcy
arc is anothcr vay to rccruit citizcns to your causc. Iurthcr,
asking pcoplc anu organizations that arc alrcauy involvcu
in your issuc to scnu out an c-mail to thcir c-mail list to
invitc citizcns to an organizing mccting, or to urgc thcm
to contact thcir local clcctcu ofncial is an incxpcnsivc anu
cffcctivc tool.
4) BuiId AIIiances -In most cascs, natural allics that you can tap
for support alrcauy cxist vithin thc community. Ior cxamplc,
if you ucciuc to vork to farm vacant lanu in your community
into a park vhich incluucs both opcn spacc anu rccrcation
arcas, thcrc is an opportunity to cnlist cnvironmcntal groups
conccrncu vith protccting opcn spacc, along vith thc arca
ncighborhoou organization anu community groups vho arc
conccrncu about incrcasing rccrcational opportunitics for
kius. Thcsc groups probably all havc mcmbcrs that can bc
cncouragcu to attcnu city council or planning boaru mcctings
anu vritc thcir local clcctcu ofncials.
5) Generate Turnouts at Government Meetings - Public
ofncials noticc signincant turnouts at thcir mcctings. If you
arc making a prcscntation to a tovn council, school boaru or
planning boaru, rccruiting a signincant numbcr of citizcns
to join you at thc mccting anu having thcm inuicatc thcir
support by applauuing vhcn you arc nnishcu vill grcatly
cnhancc thc impact of your prcscntation. Similarly, if thcrc
is a votc schcuulcu on your issuc, it is hclpful to gcncratc a
signincant numbcr of supportcrs.
6) Conduct a Letter-Writing, Phone CaII and E-MaiI Campaign
- Flcctcu ofncials pay closc attcntion to thc mail, phonc
calls anu c-mails thcy rcccivc. Gcncrating signincant
numbcrs of thcsc vill uramatically incrcasc your chanccs
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gcncrating mcuia attcntion for thc mccting anu putting up
postcrs at vcll-trafnccu locations. Bcginning anu cxpanuing
an accuratc list of supportcrs of your issuc is thc founuation
of a succcssful organizing mccting anu a kcy ingrcuicnt
to any succcssful grassroots cffort. This vay you can stay
in contact vith thcm anu gcncratc activity vhcn
you nccu it. Thc list shoulu incluuc namc, auurcss,
busincss, ccll, anu homc phoncs, anu c-mail auurcss.
Computcrizing thc list is important, it can savc timc
by alloving you to gcncratc mailing labcls anu by
alloving you to casily auu namcs. Any group mccting
shoulu havc a sign-in shcct so that attcnuccs can bc
auucu to thc list. It shoulu incluuc namc, auurcss,
busincss, ccll anu homc phoncs. Othcr sourccs of
namcs incluuc gctting thc mcmbcrship list of allicu
groups anu asking supportcrs to supply thc namcs of
fricnus anu ncighbors thcy think voulu bc intcrcstcu
in participating.
2) HoId Neighborhood Meetings - You may havc hcaru thc
cxprcssion, all politics is local. Rccognizing that thc most
local componcnt of a tovn or city is thc ncighborhoou, a
goou placc to lcvcragc political povcr is thc ncighborhoou
mccting hclu in your apartmcnt or housc or in a supportcr`s
homc. Start by gctting commitmcnts to attcnu from at lcast six
supportcrs, thcn invitc thc ncighborhoou`s party committcc
mcmbcrs, cspccially thosc of thc party in povcr. Also, invitc
any mcmbcrs of thc appropriatc povcr ccntcr vho livc in thc
ncighborhoou (auurcsscs of committcc mcmbcrs anu povcr
ccntcr mcmbcrs can bc sccurcu from thc tovn clcrk). Flcctcu
anu appointcu ofncials, anu local party committcc mcmbcrs
arc most scnsitivc to proposals anu conccrns coming from
thcir ovn ncighborhoous. This is vhy a ncighborhoou lobby
mccting makcs a politically cffcctivc placc to organizc anu
lcvcragc political povcr.
Creating a website for your organitation
is one of the uost effective ways to get
the word out about your cause.
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of succcss. Pcrsonal lcttcrs vrittcn in somconc`s ovn vorus
arc particularly cffcctivc - far morc cffcctivc than postcarus
alrcauy nllcu-out by an organization, vhich politicians tcnu
to uiscount. Phonc calls anu c-mails arc also cffcctivc vays of
contacting clcctcu ofncials. If you scnu c-mail anu thc clcctcu
ofncial is your councilman or mayor, plcasc inuicatc that you
arc a constitucnt by mcntioning it at thc bcginning of thc
cmail anu incluuing your homc auurcss. Othcrvisc, c-mail
can somctimcs bc uiscountcu bccausc thc clcctcu ofncial is
not surc vhcthcr thc scnucr is a constitucnt or not.
7) Put on a RaIIy, Demonstration or March - A vcll-attcnucu
ucmonstration, rally or march shovs activc support for an
issuc. It takcs a lot of vork to conuuct succcssful oncs. As a
rcsult, onc shoulu carcfully consiucr vhcthcr it is probablc
that a largc crovu coulu bc gcncratcu bcforc going ahcau.
It is also important that a ucmonstration strikcs thc right
tonc. If thc participants arc striucnt anu sccm out of thc
mainstrcam, cvcn a vcll-attcnucu onc may not hclp your
causc. Still, thcrc arc many cxamplcs of
ucmonstrations that havc hau lasting positivc
impacts. Thc Varch on Washington in 1963
hclpcu builu momcntum for thc passagc of
thc Civil Rights Act of 1964, anu morc rcccntly,
thc Villion Vom Varch hclpcu builu support
for gun control mcasurcs. If you ucciuc to go
forvaru vith a ucmonstration, it is critical to
gcncratc mcuia attcntion bccausc that is hov
most pcoplc vill lcarn about it.
lHE PRESS
Vcuia - primarily ncvspapcrs, rauio anu tclcvision - is a valuablc
tool to gct your mcssagc out to a broaucr auuicncc. Citizcns lcarn
vhat thcy knov about issucs mainly from thc mcuia, anu public
Although it involves extensive organiting, a suc-
cessful deuonstration is a great way to show active
support for your cause.
CH/||| '
J7
ofncials arc scnsitivc to hov thcy arc portraycu in thc mcuia anu to
vhat issucs arc rccciving covcragc. An ovcrall stratcgy for gaining
mcuia attcntion shoulu bc part of your plan for gctting your solution
auoptcu. Onc major componcnt - gcncrating favorablc cuitorials -
vas highlightcu as onc of thc povcr lcvcrs in thc prcccuing scction.
Bclov arc suggcstcu othcr vays to gct your issuc into thc ncvs:

|at|cie "'ecai |||e:' |a |c|||t |re:ea|c||ea: - Sounu bitcs arc bricf
scntcnccs anu phrascs that rclay your mcssagc in an intcrcsting
anu clcvcr manncr. Ior cxamplc, a sounu bitc that coulu bc uscu to
summarizc your position on thc nccu for morc ncighborhoou policc
patrols is: It is casicr to nnu a urink of vatcr in thc ucscrt, than a
policcman in our community. Incluuing sounu bitcs in your public
commcnts or in vrittcn matcrials incrcascs thc chanccs that your
mcssagc vill bc sccn on thc tclcvision ncvs, bc hcaru on thc rauio
or rcau in thc ncvspapcr thc ncxt uay.

he|i ei|c Cealereate: - Onc tricu anu tcstcu vay of gaining mcuia
attcntion is to holu a mcuia confcrcncc. Vcuia confcrcnccs arc
usually bricf (1u to 15 minutcs) formal prcscntations of information
that you uccm ncvsvorthy, follovcu by qucstions from thc mcuia.
Vcuia confcrcnccs can bc uscu to: announcc a proposal, rclcasc a
stuuy uocumcnting vhy a proposal is nccucu, announcc signincant
community or political support for a proposal, announcc that
Councilman X vill bc sponsoring thc proposal, or to announcc othcr
ucvclopmcnts or ncv information that can bc fairly ucscribcu as
major ncvs. A mcuia auvisory to notify rcportcrs anu cuitors of thc
timc, location anu subjcct of thc mcuia confcrcncc is normally scnt
out at lcast tvo uays in auvancc. It is important to follov-up thc
mcuia auvisory vith phonc calls in vhich you bricuy makc your
casc for vhy thcy shoulu attcnu - vhat makcs your mcuia confcrcncc
ncvs. Participants shoulu bc prcparcu anu a practicc scssion shoulu
bc hclu to rcvicv qucstions anu suggcstcu ansvcrs to anticipatcu
mcuia qucstions. A mcuia rclcasc shoulu bc vrittcn that summarizcs
thc information communicatcu at thc mcuia confcrcncc anu incluucs
quotcs from participants. Thc rclcasc shoulu bc givcn to rcportcrs
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of succcss. Pcrsonal lcttcrs vrittcn in somconc`s ovn vorus
arc particularly cffcctivc - far morc cffcctivc than postcarus
alrcauy nllcu-out by an organization, vhich politicians tcnu
to uiscount. Phonc calls anu c-mails arc also cffcctivc vays of
contacting clcctcu ofncials. If you scnu c-mail anu thc clcctcu
ofncial is your councilman or mayor, plcasc inuicatc that you
arc a constitucnt by mcntioning it at thc bcginning of thc
cmail anu incluuing your homc auurcss. Othcrvisc, c-mail
can somctimcs bc uiscountcu bccausc thc clcctcu ofncial is
not surc vhcthcr thc scnucr is a constitucnt or not.
7) Put on a RaIIy, Demonstration or March - A vcll-attcnucu
ucmonstration, rally or march shovs activc support for an
issuc. It takcs a lot of vork to conuuct succcssful oncs. As a
rcsult, onc shoulu carcfully consiucr vhcthcr it is probablc
that a largc crovu coulu bc gcncratcu bcforc going ahcau.
It is also important that a ucmonstration strikcs thc right
tonc. If thc participants arc striucnt anu sccm out of thc
mainstrcam, cvcn a vcll-attcnucu onc may not hclp your
causc. Still, thcrc arc many cxamplcs of
ucmonstrations that havc hau lasting positivc
impacts. Thc Varch on Washington in 1963
hclpcu builu momcntum for thc passagc of
thc Civil Rights Act of 1964, anu morc rcccntly,
thc Villion Vom Varch hclpcu builu support
for gun control mcasurcs. If you ucciuc to go
forvaru vith a ucmonstration, it is critical to
gcncratc mcuia attcntion bccausc that is hov
most pcoplc vill lcarn about it.
lHE PRESS
Vcuia - primarily ncvspapcrs, rauio anu tclcvision - is a valuablc
tool to gct your mcssagc out to a broaucr auuicncc. Citizcns lcarn
vhat thcy knov about issucs mainly from thc mcuia, anu public
Although it involves extensive organiting, a suc-
cessful deuonstration is a great way to show active
support for your cause.
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vho attcnu, anu morc importantly, scnt to rcportcrs vho uo not
attcnu so that thcy can still covcr your ncvs.

Ke:jeai |e |rec||aj New: - Brcaking ncvs, such as thc rclcasc of a
ncv national stuuy on your issuc, announccmcnts by thc mayor or
othcr local ofncials, or local cvcnts can also proviuc opportunitics to
gct your mcssagc out. Ior cxamplc, if thc school uistrict rclcascs ncv
tcst scorcs anu thcy shov that arca public schools still lag bchinu
ncighboring uistricts, it proviucs an opportunity to commcnt. On
thc uay of thc announccmcnt, onc can fax a bricf statcmcnt to thc
rcportcrs covcring thc issuc. A paragraph or lcss oftcn vorks bcst,
sincc thc rcportcr is looking for bricf quotcs hc/shc can inscrt in
thc story. Rcsponuing on thc samc uay is vhat vorks bcst. Hovcvcr,
somctimcs on biggcr storics, a morc uctailcu rcsponsc thc ncxt
uay, vhich hclps a rcportcr uo a follov-up story, vill also vork. Ior
tclcvision anu rauio, onc voulu vant to fax a statcmcnt inuicating
that you arc availablc to bc intcrvicvcu at thcir convcnicncc. As
vith any mcuia cffort, follov-up calls shoulu bc mauc aftcr you scnu
out thc statcmcnt. As rcportcrs bccomc morc familiar vith you anu
your issuc conccrns, thcy vill bcgin to call you for commcnt vhcn
cvcnts occur.

'c|m|| j|a|ea ||ete:- Whilc opinion picccs usually uo not havc thc
samc impact as an cuitorial from thc ncvspapcr itsclf, thcy arc still an
cxccllcnt vay to rcach community lcaucrs anu mcmbcrs of thc gcncral
public. Vost uaily ncvspapcrs havc an opinion pagc that incluucs
synuicatcu columnists such as Gcorgc Will anu Vaurccn Dovu, thc
papcr`s ovn opinion columnists anu gucst opinion columns. Thc
limit for a gucst opinion column is usually arounu 6uu vorus. Bcforc
submitting onc, it is important to chcck vith thc ncvspapcr to nnu
out vhat thcir voru limit is anu any othcr rcquircmcnts thcy may
havc for a gucst submission. Pcrhaps thc bcst vay to gct a scnsc of
hov to vritc onc is to rcau thc opinion pagc of thc ncvspapcr. This
vill givc you a scnsc of hov opinion picccs arc structurcu anu vhat
kinus of picccs that ncvspapcrs tcnu to publish. Submitting your
piccc vith an attachcu covcr lcttcr that bricuy makcs thc casc for
CH/||| '
+I
vhy you think thc ncvspapcr shoulu publish your piccc incrcascs
your chanccs. A follov-up call to thc opinion pagc cuitor also makcs
it morc likcly your piccc vill bc publishcu.

'c|m|| |e||er:-|e-||e-|i||er - Onc vay of quickly rcsponuing to a
ncvspapcr articlc, cuitorial or opinion piccc is to scnu a lcttcr-to-
thc-cuitor. In most ncvspapcrs, thcsc run on thc samc pagc as thc
cuitorials, anu public ofncials tcnu to monitor thcm closcly. Gcncrally,
lcttcrs shoulu bc no morc than 2uu vorus. Still, chcck vith thc
ncvspapcr to scc if thcy havc a voru limit anu if thcrc arc any othcr
rcquircmcnts for submission.

'cjje:||aj '|er |iec: - As you ucvclop rclationships vith rcportcrs
through your mcuia cfforts, you vill bc positioncu to suggcst story
iucas to thcm. Rcportcrs arc usually looking for intcrcsting storics
to covcr, so rccommcnuing a goou onc can scrvc both of your
intcrcsts. Ior cxamplc, if you arc nghting a ucvclopmcnt proposal
by a spccinc ucvclopcr anu you havc rcscarch that shovs that thc
ucvclopcr has built substanuaru propcrtics in othcr communitics,
sharing this information vith a rcportcr anu suggcsting a story about
thc ucvclopcr`s past vork is goou for both of you.


CCMlACl ClVlCS
Contact civics ucscribcs thc political povcr lcvcrs lcgally availablc
to you if you arc villing to put yoursclf on thc linc as a canuiuatc
for an clcctcu or appointcu boaru, local govcrnmcnt position or a
pctitioncr` for a votcr rcfcrcnuum or a sponsor for a rccall votc. It
also ucscribcs thc political povcr you can gain by bccoming an activc
participant in a labor union, busincss organization or ncighborhoou
organization. Thcy arc ucscribcu bclov:

I|e K|j|| |e Kca ler c |cr| Cemm|||ee 'ec| - You havc thc right to run
for a party committcc scat, if you vill bc 18 ycars olu by thc ncxt
clcction. You must also livc in thc clcction uistrict, bc rcgistcrcu to
votc anu bc villing to ucclarc yoursclf a party mcmbcr. Thc tovn or
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vho attcnu, anu morc importantly, scnt to rcportcrs vho uo not
attcnu so that thcy can still covcr your ncvs.

Ke:jeai |e |rec||aj New: - Brcaking ncvs, such as thc rclcasc of a
ncv national stuuy on your issuc, announccmcnts by thc mayor or
othcr local ofncials, or local cvcnts can also proviuc opportunitics to
gct your mcssagc out. Ior cxamplc, if thc school uistrict rclcascs ncv
tcst scorcs anu thcy shov that arca public schools still lag bchinu
ncighboring uistricts, it proviucs an opportunity to commcnt. On
thc uay of thc announccmcnt, onc can fax a bricf statcmcnt to thc
rcportcrs covcring thc issuc. A paragraph or lcss oftcn vorks bcst,
sincc thc rcportcr is looking for bricf quotcs hc/shc can inscrt in
thc story. Rcsponuing on thc samc uay is vhat vorks bcst. Hovcvcr,
somctimcs on biggcr storics, a morc uctailcu rcsponsc thc ncxt
uay, vhich hclps a rcportcr uo a follov-up story, vill also vork. Ior
tclcvision anu rauio, onc voulu vant to fax a statcmcnt inuicating
that you arc availablc to bc intcrvicvcu at thcir convcnicncc. As
vith any mcuia cffort, follov-up calls shoulu bc mauc aftcr you scnu
out thc statcmcnt. As rcportcrs bccomc morc familiar vith you anu
your issuc conccrns, thcy vill bcgin to call you for commcnt vhcn
cvcnts occur.

'c|m|| j|a|ea ||ete:- Whilc opinion picccs usually uo not havc thc
samc impact as an cuitorial from thc ncvspapcr itsclf, thcy arc still an
cxccllcnt vay to rcach community lcaucrs anu mcmbcrs of thc gcncral
public. Vost uaily ncvspapcrs havc an opinion pagc that incluucs
synuicatcu columnists such as Gcorgc Will anu Vaurccn Dovu, thc
papcr`s ovn opinion columnists anu gucst opinion columns. Thc
limit for a gucst opinion column is usually arounu 6uu vorus. Bcforc
submitting onc, it is important to chcck vith thc ncvspapcr to nnu
out vhat thcir voru limit is anu any othcr rcquircmcnts thcy may
havc for a gucst submission. Pcrhaps thc bcst vay to gct a scnsc of
hov to vritc onc is to rcau thc opinion pagc of thc ncvspapcr. This
vill givc you a scnsc of hov opinion picccs arc structurcu anu vhat
kinus of picccs that ncvspapcrs tcnu to publish. Submitting your
piccc vith an attachcu covcr lcttcr that bricuy makcs thc casc for
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city clcrk or thc ofncials at thc County Boaru of Flcctions vill hclp
you nnu out vhat clcction uistrict you livc in anu vhat form to nll
out to ucclarc yoursclf a party mcmbcr. Flcctions for party committcc
mcmbcr arc hclu on thc primary clcction, vhich is thc nrst Tucsuay
aftcr thc nrst Vonuay in Junc' (Vorc information about thc clcctcu
position of party committcc mcmbcr is founu in Chaptcr Tvo).

I|e K|j|| |e Kca |a c |cr| ||et||ea |e |e ||e |cr| Ccai|ic|e el ecr |cr|
ler cer er Cecat|| - You havc thc right to run to bc thc party nomincc
for mayor or council if you vill bc 18 ycars olu by thc ncxt clcction.
You must bc a rcsiucnt of thc community, bc rcgistcrcu to votc anu
bc villing to ucclarc yoursclf a party mcmbcr if you arc not onc
alrcauy. Thc tovn or city clcrk or thc ofncials at thc County Boaru
of Flcctions vill proviuc thc information you nccu to fulnll all thc
rcquircmcnts to gct on thc Junc primary ballot.

I|e K|j|| |e Kca |a c 't|ee| |ecri ||et||ea er ||et||ea ler cer er Cecat|| - All
Ncv Jcrscy school boaru clcctions anu somc communitics` clcctions
for council or Vayor arc non-partisan - no party labcls appcar on thc
ballot. If you vill bc 18 by thc ncxt clcction, arc rcgistcrcu to votc
anu a rcsiucnt of thc community, you havc thc right to run for thcsc
positions. Thc tovn or city clcrk vill proviuc thc information you nccu
to fulnll all thc rcquircmcnts to gct on thc Vay ballot for non-partisan
council anu mayor`s clcctions or thc April school boaru ballot.

I|e K|j|| |e /jj| ler ca /jje|a|ei |e:|||ea ea c |etc| eeramea| |ecri
er Cemm|::|ea - If you arc 18 ycars olu anu a rcsiucnt of a tovn or
city, you may apply for an appointcu scat on a boaru or commission.
Whilc thcrc is no lcgal right to a formal application proccss, if you
arc 18 anu a rcsiucnt, you arc lcgally qualincu. To scck an appointivc
scat, you may submit your rcsumc or a lcttcr saying vhy you coulu
bc hclpful if sclcctcu anu inuicating vhich boaru or commission
' At thc timc of this manual`s publication thc Ncv Jcrscy lcgislaturc introuuccu
uiscussion of changing thc uatc of our primary clcction from Junc to Icbruary. To
track thc progrcss of thcsc uiscussions visit vvv.njlcg.statc.nj.us anu cntcr thc
kcvoru primary.
CH/||| '
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you vish to scrvc on. Inuiviuuals to vhom you voulu scnu or givc
thc lcttcr incluuc:
1} Ihe city or towo adioistrator or aoager
2} Ihe ayor, schooI board presideot aod aoy other IocaI eIected
oIhciaIs
3} Ihe IocaI party chair oI your poIiticaI party
4} Ihe eIected oeighborhood party coittee ebers Ior your
eIectioo district.
Thcrc arc hunurcus of boaru anu commission scats in your
community. Thcy arc a grcat vay to cntcr thc public arcna. Othcr
avcnucs for community involvcmcnt incluuc joining thc voluntccr
nrc ucpartmcnt or nrst aiu squau as vcll as participating in
community non-pront activitics anu organizcu youth sports such as
Pop Warncr football or littlc lcaguc bascball. Thcsc organizations all
play an important rolc in thc community anu allov you to mcct
likc-minucu citizcns vho can bccomc allics in your political anu
civic cfforts.
|eteme c "|e||||eaer' ler c Iewa er C|| \e|er Kelereaicm - In 128 Ncv
Jcrscy municipalitics, ncarly onc in four, citizcns havc thc right to
takc thcir casc uircctly to thc pcoplc through thc initiativc proccss
(call your tovn or city clcrk to scc if your community is onc of thcm).
Citizcns in thcsc communitics may placc a proposcu local lav on thc
ballot as a rcfcrcnuum qucstion if thcy obtain thc rcquircu numbcr of
signaturcs of rcgistcrcu votcrs. An initiativc cffort bcgins vith at lcast
nvc rcgistcrcu votcrs vithin thc community ucsignating thcmsclvcs
a committcc of pctitioncrs. You can gct in on
thc grounu uoor of an initiativc cffort by bcing
a pctitioncr. Ior a morc in-ucpth uiscussion of
thc right to go uircctly to thc pcoplc, scc Chaptcr
Scvcn Right 1u in thc Flcctcu Council scction.
In all Ncv Jcrscy municipalitics, thc council can
put a non-binuing rcfcrcnuum on thc ballot to gct
a scnsc of thc vicvs of thc citizcns on issucs that
can bc ucciucu on thc local lcvcl. To ucmonstratc
Cititens can propose a local law if they
obtain the required nuuber of signa-
tures of registered voters.
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city clcrk or thc ofncials at thc County Boaru of Flcctions vill hclp
you nnu out vhat clcction uistrict you livc in anu vhat form to nll
out to ucclarc yoursclf a party mcmbcr. Flcctions for party committcc
mcmbcr arc hclu on thc primary clcction, vhich is thc nrst Tucsuay
aftcr thc nrst Vonuay in Junc' (Vorc information about thc clcctcu
position of party committcc mcmbcr is founu in Chaptcr Tvo).

I|e K||| |e Kca |a e |er| ||et||ea |e |e ||e |er| Ceai|ie|e el ecr |er|
ler eer er Cecat|| - You havc thc right to run to bc thc party nomincc
for mayor or council if you vill bc 18 ycars olu by thc ncxt clcction.
You must bc a rcsiucnt of thc community, bc rcgistcrcu to votc anu
bc villing to ucclarc yoursclf a party mcmbcr if you arc not onc
alrcauy. Thc tovn or city clcrk or thc ofncials at thc County Boaru
of Flcctions vill proviuc thc information you nccu to fulnll all thc
rcquircmcnts to gct on thc Junc primary ballot.

I|e K||| |e Kca |a e 't|ee| |eeri ||et||ea er ||et||ea ler eer er Cecat|| - All
Ncv Jcrscy school boaru clcctions anu somc communitics` clcctions
for council or Vayor arc non-partisan - no party labcls appcar on thc
ballot. If you vill bc 18 by thc ncxt clcction, arc rcgistcrcu to votc
anu a rcsiucnt of thc community, you havc thc right to run for thcsc
positions. Thc tovn or city clcrk vill proviuc thc information you nccu
to fulnll all thc rcquircmcnts to gct on thc Vay ballot for non-partisan
council anu mayor`s clcctions or thc April school boaru ballot.

I|e K||| |e /jj| ler ea /jje|a|ei |e:|||ea ea e |ete| eeramea| |eeri
er Cemm|::|ea - If you arc 18 ycars olu anu a rcsiucnt of a tovn or
city, you may apply for an appointcu scat on a boaru or commission.
Whilc thcrc is no lcgal right to a formal application proccss, if you
arc 18 anu a rcsiucnt, you arc lcgally qualincu. To scck an appointivc
scat, you may submit your rcsumc or a lcttcr saying vhy you coulu
bc hclpful if sclcctcu anu inuicating vhich boaru or commission
' At thc timc of this manual`s publication thc Ncv Jcrscy lcgislaturc introuuccu
uiscussion of changing thc uatc of our primary clcction from Junc to Icbruary. To
track thc progrcss of thcsc uiscussions visit vvv.njlcg.statc.nj.us anu cntcr thc
kcvoru primary.
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support for an issuc, citizcns may vant to cncouragc thcir council to
put a non-binuing rcfcrcnuum on thc ballot, this stratcgy probably
is morc uscful in communitics that uo not havc thc option of taking
thcir casc uircctly to thc pcoplc.

|eteme e "'jea:er' el e Kete|| Cemm|||ee |e Kemee ea ||et|ei lht|e|
Citizcns in all Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc thc right to rcmovc
a council mcmbcr, mayor or school boaru mcmbcr through a
rccall pctition that triggcrs an clcction to ucciuc vhcthcr thc
clcctcu ofncial in qucstion rcmains or is rcmovcu. A rccall cffort
bcgins vith thc ucsignation of a rccall committcc. If you arc a
rcgistcrcu votcr, you can bccomc onc of thc sponsors of a rccall
committcc - thc pcoplc vho cstablish thc ofncial rccall cffort.

|er||t|je|e |a e ca|ea, |c:|ae:: erea|te||ea, er ae|||er|eei erea|te||ea
Bccoming activc in your local union, busincss organization or
community group can givc you political lcvcragc anu cnhancc your
local political knovlcugc. Ior cxamplc, scrving on thc govcrnmcnt
committcc of your labor union or on thc govcrnmcnt liaison
committcc of thc Chambcr of Commcrcc arc cxccllcnt vays of
ucvcloping contacts anu gaining allics.
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Ih| \I|N |Ih
In this hanubook, I havc argucu that a citizcn`s rcsponsibility is to
bc activcly involvcu in public lifc anu this mcans morc than paying
taxcs anu voting.
Still, it is important to votc. Thc right of thc pcoplc to ucciuc vho
vill rcprcscnt thcm is funuamcntal to ucmocracy. It is a right ucnicu
hunurcus of millions of pcoplc arounu thc vorlu vho arc still rulcu
by uictators. Anu in our country, vomcn anu African-Amcricans hau
to vagc long haru battlcs to rcalizc thcir right to votc.
Yct, lcss than half of Amcricans votc in most Prcsiucntial clcctions
anu for most local clcctions, it is oftcn lcss than a thiru. School boaru
clcctions, for cxamplc, oftcn havc turnouts of lcss than onc-in-tcn
cligiblc votcrs.
Rcscarch uata shovs that olucr Amcricans votc at a ratc morc than
tvicc that of youngcr Amcricans. Ior this rcason, national clcctions
anu politics arc uominatcu by uiscussions of Social Sccurity anu
Vcuicarc rathcr than uiscussions of proviuing aucquatc grants anu
loans, so that all qualincu Amcricans, rcgarulcss of incomc, vill havc
thc opportunity to attcnu collcgc. Aftcr all, clcctcu ofncials vorry
about thcir rc-clcction anu as a rcsult, pay attcntion to thc pcoplc
vho votc.
On thc local lcvcl, vhcrc turn-outs tcnu to bc lovcr, your votc anu
thc votc of your fricnus, ncighbors anu allics can play a major rolc in
bringing about thc changcs you ucsirc for your community.
This chaptcr proviucs a guiuc to fully cxcrcising your right to votc
anu to participating in thc voting proccss. It offcrs information on
hov to rcgistcr to votc anu hov to nnu out vhcrc to votc. It uctails
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support for an issuc, citizcns may vant to cncouragc thcir council to
put a non-binuing rcfcrcnuum on thc ballot, this stratcgy probably
is morc uscful in communitics that uo not havc thc option of taking
thcir casc uircctly to thc pcoplc.

|eteme c "'jea:er' el c Ketc|| Cemm|||ee |e Kemee ca ||et|ei lht|c|
Citizcns in all Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc thc right to rcmovc
a council mcmbcr, mayor or school boaru mcmbcr through a
rccall pctition that triggcrs an clcction to ucciuc vhcthcr thc
clcctcu ofncial in qucstion rcmains or is rcmovcu. A rccall cffort
bcgins vith thc ucsignation of a rccall committcc. If you arc a
rcgistcrcu votcr, you can bccomc onc of thc sponsors of a rccall
committcc - thc pcoplc vho cstablish thc ofncial rccall cffort.

|cr||t|jc|e |a c ca|ea, |c:|ae:: erjca|tc||ea, er ae|j||er|eei erjca|tc||ea
Bccoming activc in your local union, busincss organization or
community group can givc you political lcvcragc anu cnhancc your
local political knovlcugc. Ior cxamplc, scrving on thc govcrnmcnt
committcc of your labor union or on thc govcrnmcnt liaison
committcc of thc Chambcr of Commcrcc arc cxccllcnt vays of
ucvcloping contacts anu gaining allics.
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all thc major opportunitics you havc to cast your ballot - gcncral
clcction, primarics, school boaru clcctions, anu spccial clcctions. It
also highlights thc importancc of casting votcs for thc ofnccs anu
rcfcrcnuum qucstions that arc usually founu furthcr uovn on thc
ballot. Iinally, it uiscusscs vays to participatc on clcction uay othcr
than voting: vorking as a poll vorkcr, voluntccring for an clcction
uay gct-out thc- votc cffort for onc of thc canuiuatcs or political
partics, voluntccring for a non-partisan cffort to cncouragc a grcatcr
numbcr of citizcns to votc.
HCV lC REGlSlER AMD LCCAlE YCR PCLLlMG PLACE
Thc nrst stcp in voting is to rcgistcr to votc. Thc forms arc usually
availablc at tovn hall or through your school. To votc in an clcction,
you nccu to bc rcgistcrcu at lcast thirty uays bcforc thc uay it takcs
placc. It is a goou iuca vhcn you turn 18 or movc to a ncv auurcss,
to immcuiatcly rcgistcr, this vill cnsurc that you vill not miss any
clcctions in vhich you arc cntitlcu to votc. To bc cligiblc to votc you
must bc a Unitcu Statcs citizcn.
To locatc your polling placc, vhcrc you votc, call your tovn or
city clcrk or thc County Boaru of Flcctions anu givc thcm your strcct
auurcss. Irom thcrc thcy vill bc ablc to tcll you vhat clcction uistrict
you rcsiuc in, anu, if it is closc to thc clcction uatc, vhcrc that clcction
Less than half Auericans vote in presidential elections, less than a third vote in
local elections and older Auericau vote twice as uuch as younger Auericans
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uistrict`s polling placc is locatcu. As uiscusscu throughout this
hanubook, citics anu tovns arc uiviucu into ncighborhoou clcction
uistricts of uu to 1uuu votcrs. Oncc you knov your clcction uistrict,
you can also nnu out your polling placc by looking in your local
ncvspapcr for thc list of polling locations that is usually publishcu
scvcral uays bcforc thc clcction. You vill also rcccivc in thc mail a
samplc ballot, vhich iucntincs your polling placc anu contains a list
of all thc canuiuatcs anu thc qucstions, as thcy vill appcar in thc
voting booth. In Ncv Jcrscy, polls arc opcn from :uu AV to 8:uu
PV.
lHE MAlM VCllMG CPPCRlMlllES
Whcn most pcoplc rcfcr to Flcction Day, thcy mcan thc GFNFRAI
FIFCTION hclu thc nrst Tucsuay aftcr thc nrst Vonuay in Novcmbcr.
Hovcvcr, thcrc arc othcr uays of thc ycar, that arc also clcction
uays - anu thcy can mcan as much if not morc to thc futurc of your
community. Thcy arc uiscusscu bclov:
|r|mcr ||et||ea- Thc primary clcction, hclu thc nrst Tucsuay aftcr thc
nrst Vonuay in Junc, is vhcn thc canuiuatcs ucsignatcu to rcprcscnt
thc tvo major political partics, thc Dcmocratic anu Rcpublican
partics, in thc gcncral clcction arc sclcctcu. In communitics, that
arc cithcr ovcrvhclmingly Dcmocratic or Rcpublican in voting
pattcrns, thc primary is oftcn thc rcal clcction. Ncighborhoou party
rcprcscntativcs, knovn as committcc mcmbcrs, arc also clcctcu in
thc primary.
Onc can votc in a party primary, if onc has alrcauy bccomc a
mcmbcr of a party by voting in a prcvious primary or if onc has
ncvcr votcu in a primary bcforc. If it is your nrst timc voting in a
primary, all you nccu to uo is go to thc polls on primary uay anu tcll
thc poll vorkcr vhich partics` primary you voulu likc to votc in. On
thc othcr hanu, if a Dcmocrat ucciucs that hc prcfcrs to votc in thc
Rcpublican primary, or vicc-a-vcrsa, hc must changc party afnliation
by nling a form vith thc municipal clcrk or thc county commissioncr
of rcgistration (Scc Citizcns` Rights Rcgaruing thc Political Partics in
Chaptcr Tcn for a morc uctailcu uiscussion of this issuc).
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all thc major opportunitics you havc to cast your ballot - gcncral
clcction, primarics, school boaru clcctions, anu spccial clcctions. It
also highlights thc importancc of casting votcs for thc ofnccs anu
rcfcrcnuum qucstions that arc usually founu furthcr uovn on thc
ballot. Iinally, it uiscusscs vays to participatc on clcction uay othcr
than voting: vorking as a poll vorkcr, voluntccring for an clcction
uay gct-out thc- votc cffort for onc of thc canuiuatcs or political
partics, voluntccring for a non-partisan cffort to cncouragc a grcatcr
numbcr of citizcns to votc.
HCV lC REGlSlER AMD LCCAlE YCR PCLLlMG PLACE
Thc nrst stcp in voting is to rcgistcr to votc. Thc forms arc usually
availablc at tovn hall or through your school. To votc in an clcction,
you nccu to bc rcgistcrcu at lcast thirty uays bcforc thc uay it takcs
placc. It is a goou iuca vhcn you turn 18 or movc to a ncv auurcss,
to immcuiatcly rcgistcr, this vill cnsurc that you vill not miss any
clcctions in vhich you arc cntitlcu to votc. To bc cligiblc to votc you
must bc a Unitcu Statcs citizcn.
To locatc your polling placc, vhcrc you votc, call your tovn or
city clcrk or thc County Boaru of Flcctions anu givc thcm your strcct
auurcss. Irom thcrc thcy vill bc ablc to tcll you vhat clcction uistrict
you rcsiuc in, anu, if it is closc to thc clcction uatc, vhcrc that clcction
Less than half Auericans vote in presidential elections, less than a third vote in
local elections and older Auericau vote twice as uuch as younger Auericans
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Fvcn in communitics vith non-partisan clcctions, in vhich by
ucnnition thcrc arc no primarics for local ofnccs, thc primary clcction
is of importancc bccausc ncighborhoou party committcc pcoplc arc
clcctcu thcn anu thcy havc inuucncc on thc clcctcu ofncials. Anu,
of coursc, thc party`s nominccs for highcr national anu statc ofnccs
incluuing prcsiucnt anu govcrnor arc sclcctcu in thc primary.

't|ee| |ecri ||et||ea - Vost Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc clcctcu

school boarus. Thc clcctions takc placc on thc thiru Tucsuay in
April. Sincc thc clcctions arc hclu at a scparatc timc from rcgular
clcctions, turnouts tcnu to bc lov. As a rcsult, your votc, cspccially
combincu vith thc votcs of your fricnus anu ncighbors, if thcy
sharc a prcfcrcncc for thc samc canuiuatc, can makc a trcmcnuous
uiffcrcncc. School boaru mcmbcrs, vhilc thcy tcnu to bc activc
mcmbcrs of a political party, run in clcctions vhcrc thcrc is no party
labcl listcu on thc ballot.

Nea-jcr||:ca ||et||ea - Somc communitics incluuing Ncv Jcrscy`s
largcst city, Ncvark, clcct thcir council anu mayor in non-partisan
clcctions. Thcsc arc clcctions in vhich canuiuatcs run vithout party
labcls. Thcy arc hclu on thc thiru Tucsuay in Vay. In practicc, most
of thc canuiuatcs arc activc participants in onc of thc major political
partics - though thcir party afnliation uocs not appcar on thc ballot.
Spccial Flcction - Thcrc arc ccrtain spccial clcctions that takc placc
at uiffcrcnt timcs than thc rcgularly schcuulcu primarics, gcncral
clcctions, non-partisan clcctions anu school boaru clcctions. Not
surprisingly, votcr turnout for thcsc clcctions tcnus to bc cspccially
lov. Ior cxamplc, thcrc is spccial school clcctions that can bc callcu
in ccrtain Ncv Jcrscy communitics at spccincu timcs in January,
Varch, Scptcmbcr, or Dcccmbcr. Thcsc clcctions arc usually about
nnancial issucs that arc not covcrcu in thc annual buugct, such as a
bonu rcfcrcnuum for ncv school construction.

DCVM lHE BALLCl
To fully cxcrcisc your right to votc, it is csscntial to go bcyonu thc
major ofnccs that arc usually listcu closc to thc top of any ballot anu
CH/||| c
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cast informcu votcs as you go uovn thc ballot. Too many votcrs givc
up somc of thc povcr of thcir votc by not cvcn making choiccs on
rcfcrcnuum qucstions, bonu issucs anu contcstcu party committcc
scats that arc usually listcu tovarus thc bottom of thc ballot. If you
arc going to go to thc troublc of voting, you might as vcll makc your
votc fully count.
Among thc itcms you vill gct to votc on arc thc school buugct anu
statc, county anu local rcfcrcnuums for moncy for opcn spacc anu
transportation. To inform yoursclf, stuuy thc
samplc ballot that shoulu bc mailcu to your
homc closc to thc clcction. It vill contain any
rcfcrcnuum qucstions that arc on thc ballot.
Also, rcau your local ncvspapcr, as thc clcction
gcts closcr, as thcrc vill bc somc covcragc
of thcsc uovn-ballot, issucs. In auuition,
organizations such as thc Icaguc of Womcn
Votcrs usually havc information about any
rcfcrcnuum qucstions that may appcar on
thc ballot.
PARllClPAllMG lM lHE VCllMG PRCCESS
Thcrc arc opportunitics for civic participation on Flcction Day in
auuition to voting. Thc major oncs arc summarizcu bclov:
Working as a PoII Worker
Thcrc is currcntly a scrious shortagc of poll vorkcrs - thc pcoplc
vho organizc anu staff thc polling placcs on Flcction Day. Thcy uo
thc nitty-gritty vork of ucmocracy: chccking in votcrs, proviuing
hclps if it is nccucu, rccoruing thc votc, anu cnsuring thc machincry
is vorking smoothly. Citizcns, 18 anu olucr, arc cligiblc to bc poll
vorkcrs anu it pays $2uu for thc uay. You vill rcccivc training anu a
nrst-hanu cxpcricncc in hov 46 clcctions rcally vork. You can apply
uircctly to thc ofncc of County Boaru of Flcctions, hovcvcr, it is
normally morc cffcctivc to tcll your ncighborhoou party committcc
mcmbcr that you arc intcrcstcu or thc tovn party chair of your
political party if you havc a party prcfcrcncc.
Since the uid-0's, Auerican have becoue
roughly 25% less likely to vote, roughly 35%
less likely to attend public ueetings and
roughly 10% less engaged in political and
civic organitations of all sorts. (Fobert Fut-
nau, harvard university)
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Fvcn in communitics vith non-partisan clcctions, in vhich by
ucnnition thcrc arc no primarics for local ofnccs, thc primary clcction
is of importancc bccausc ncighborhoou party committcc pcoplc arc
clcctcu thcn anu thcy havc inuucncc on thc clcctcu ofncials. Anu,
of coursc, thc party`s nominccs for highcr national anu statc ofnccs
incluuing prcsiucnt anu govcrnor arc sclcctcu in thc primary.

't|ee| |eeri ||et||ea - Vost Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc clcctcu

school boarus. Thc clcctions takc placc on thc thiru Tucsuay in
April. Sincc thc clcctions arc hclu at a scparatc timc from rcgular
clcctions, turnouts tcnu to bc lov. As a rcsult, your votc, cspccially
combincu vith thc votcs of your fricnus anu ncighbors, if thcy
sharc a prcfcrcncc for thc samc canuiuatc, can makc a trcmcnuous
uiffcrcncc. School boaru mcmbcrs, vhilc thcy tcnu to bc activc
mcmbcrs of a political party, run in clcctions vhcrc thcrc is no party
labcl listcu on thc ballot.

Nea-jer||:ea ||et||ea - Somc communitics incluuing Ncv Jcrscy`s
largcst city, Ncvark, clcct thcir council anu mayor in non-partisan
clcctions. Thcsc arc clcctions in vhich canuiuatcs run vithout party
labcls. Thcy arc hclu on thc thiru Tucsuay in Vay. In practicc, most
of thc canuiuatcs arc activc participants in onc of thc major political
partics - though thcir party afnliation uocs not appcar on thc ballot.
Spccial Flcction - Thcrc arc ccrtain spccial clcctions that takc placc
at uiffcrcnt timcs than thc rcgularly schcuulcu primarics, gcncral
clcctions, non-partisan clcctions anu school boaru clcctions. Not
surprisingly, votcr turnout for thcsc clcctions tcnus to bc cspccially
lov. Ior cxamplc, thcrc is spccial school clcctions that can bc callcu
in ccrtain Ncv Jcrscy communitics at spccincu timcs in January,
Varch, Scptcmbcr, or Dcccmbcr. Thcsc clcctions arc usually about
nnancial issucs that arc not covcrcu in thc annual buugct, such as a
bonu rcfcrcnuum for ncv school construction.

DCVM lHE BALLCl
To fully cxcrcisc your right to votc, it is csscntial to go bcyonu thc
major ofnccs that arc usually listcu closc to thc top of any ballot anu
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HeIping to Get-Out-The-Vote for a Candidate or
PoIiticaI Party
On Flcction Day, canuiuatcs anu political partics arc usually
vorking haru to rcminu thcir supportcrs to votc through phonc
calls, uoor-to-uoor rcminucrs or litcraturc uistribution. Voluntccring
to hclp thc canuiuatc or party of your choicc on Flcction Day is an
cxccllcnt vay of participating. In many cascs, pcoplc hclping to gct-
out-thc-votc arc paiu for thc uay. To gct involvcu, contact thc party
or campaign of your choicc a couplc of vccks bcforc Flcction Day.
Thc phonc numbcrs arc usually listcu, anu many campaigns, cvcn
on thc local lcvcl, havc vcb sitcs vith instructions about hov to gct
involvcu.

Participating in Non-Partisan Turnout Activities
In somc communitics, non-partisan or civic groups organizc
gct-out-thc-votc cfforts. Thcy arc not ucsigncu to hclp a particular
canuiuatc but simply to incrcasc thc ovcrall numbcr of votcrs - an
unuisputcu civic goou. You coulu involvc yoursclf in an cxisting
cffort through organizations such as thc Icaguc of Womcn Votcrs
or thc NAACP, or if onc uocs not cxist in your community, you coulu
organizc onc.
ENT
INDEX OF CITIZENS
LEGAL RIGHTS TO POLITICAL
PARTY AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION
CHAPTER 7
TOWN OR COUNCIL
SCHOOL BOARD
CHAPTER 8
PLANNING BOARD
CHAPTER 9
LOCAL POLITICAL PARTIES
CHAPTER 10
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HeIping to Get-Out-The-Vote for a Candidate or
PoIiticaI Party
On Flcction Day, canuiuatcs anu political partics arc usually
vorking haru to rcminu thcir supportcrs to votc through phonc
calls, uoor-to-uoor rcminucrs or litcraturc uistribution. Voluntccring
to hclp thc canuiuatc or party of your choicc on Flcction Day is an
cxccllcnt vay of participating. In many cascs, pcoplc hclping to gct-
out-thc-votc arc paiu for thc uay. To gct involvcu, contact thc party
or campaign of your choicc a couplc of vccks bcforc Flcction Day.
Thc phonc numbcrs arc usually listcu, anu many campaigns, cvcn
on thc local lcvcl, havc vcb sitcs vith instructions about hov to gct
involvcu.

Participating in Non-Partisan Turnout Activities
In somc communitics, non-partisan or civic groups organizc
gct-out-thc-votc cfforts. Thcy arc not ucsigncu to hclp a particular
canuiuatc but simply to incrcasc thc ovcrall numbcr of votcrs - an
unuisputcu civic goou. You coulu involvc yoursclf in an cxisting
cffort through organizations such as thc Icaguc of Womcn Votcrs
or thc NAACP, or if onc uocs not cxist in your community, you coulu
organizc onc.
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Ch/|I|K '|\|N.
IWN K C|I CUNC||
BACKGRCMD
Thc clcctcu council, callcu a committcc in somc Ncv Jcrscy
communitics, scrvcs as thc main govcrning bouy for a municipality.
Thc city or tovn council is vhcrc kcy tax, buugct anu policy uccisions
arc mauc. Qucstions, such as shoulu a municipality incrcasc thc
numbcr of policc to copc vith a risc in crimc, shoulu apartmcnts bc
subjcct to rcnt control vhich strictly limits rcnt incrcascs, or shoulu a
rcucvclopmcnt proposal bc auoptcu, arc ucciucu by thc council. Thc
sum total of council actions hclp uctcrminc thc quality of lifc in our
communitics. That is vhy it is critical for citizcns vho vant to improvc
thcir communitics to activcly vork to inuucncc council votcs.
All Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc mayors, but thcir povcrs
anu lcgal rclationship to thc council vary from municipality to
municipality. Somc mayors arc clcctcu scparatcly by a community-
viuc votc, somc arc choscn by thc council from among its mcmbcrs.
Ncv Jcrscy`s citics anu largcr suburban tovns tcnu to havc uircctly
clcctcu mayors vho function similarly to govcrnors anu prcsiucnts
as thc chicf cxccutivc ofnccr of a community, smallcr communitics
havc mayors vho in rcality arc closcr in rcsponsibilitics to council
prcsiucnts. Iorty Ncv Jcrscy municipalitics havc auoptcu thc council
managcr form of govcrnmcnt in vhich ncarly all thc cxccutivc povcr
is uclcgatcu to a managcr appointcu by thc council. City anu tovn
councils arc clcctcu by thc citizcns of a municipality. In Ncv Jcrscy,
councils rangc from as many as ninc mcmbcrs to as fcv as thrcc.
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City anu tovn councils also vary in vhcthcr thcir mcmbcrs arc
clcctcu by a community-viuc votc, or vhcthcr thc community is
uiviucu into council varus vith rcsiucnts of cach varu clccting
thcir ovn council mcmbcr. Thcrc arc somc Ncv Jcrscy communitics
that havc a combination of community-viuc council scats, callcu at-
largc scats, anu varu council scats. What is most important for our
purposcs, hovcvcr, is that as clcctcu ofncials, council mcmbcrs arc
scnsitivc to thc opinions of citizcns - particularly knovlcugcablc,
cngagcu citizcns vith constructivc rccommcnuations.
Councils ucciuc ncarly all thc mattcrs bcforc thcm by a majority votc.
In ncarly all Ncv Jcrscy communitics, hovcvcr, thc Vayor has thc right
to vcto a mcasurc passcu by thc council, anu it usually takcs a tvo-
thirus votc of thc council to ovcrriuc it. In orucr to participatc most
cffcctivcly in your local govcrnmcnt, it is important to knov cxactly
hov it is organizcu. Thc bcst vay to obtain this information is to call or
vritc thc municipal clcrk anu ask thcm thc folloving qucstions:
1} how is the ayor eIected!
2} how aoy couociI ebers are there!
3} Are the couociI ebers eIected couoity-wide, by ward or
by soe cobioatioo oI the two!
4} What power does the ayor have to veto couociI proposaIs!
Io soe couoities, this aod other useIuI ioIoratioo cao be
Iouod oo the uoicipaI goveroeot web site.
ClllZEMS RlGHlS VllH RESPECl lC CCMClLS
1. Right to Advance Notice of CounciI Meetings - Citizcns havc thc
right to aucquatc anu auvanccu noticc of council mcctings (NJSA
1u:4-). Noticc can bc proviucu in onc of tvo vays: 1) annual
noticc of thc schcuulc for thc ycar of council mcctings that arc
auoptcu at thc ycarly rc-organization mccting (N.J.S.A. 1u:4-18),
2) spccinc noticcs at lcast 48 hours in auvancc (N.J.S.A.1u: 4-).
Thc schcuulcs of mcctings arc rcquircu to bc postcu at Tovn
Hall, anu if thc schcuulc is rcviscu, thc rcvisions must bc postcu.
As a citizcn, you havc thc right to a copy of thc schcuulc anu to
CH/||| .

bc scnt auvancc noticc of mcctings not put on thc schcuulc. Thc

tovnship may chargc a rcasonablc fcc for this scrvicc (N.J.S.A.
1u:4-19). Still, it is important to chcck pcriouically cithcr at
tovn hall or in your local ncvspapcr, bccausc mcctings can bc
schcuulcu on short noticc for cmcrgcncics.
2. Right to Attend CounciI Meetings - Citizcns havc thc right to
bc prcscnt at all council mcctings. Council can mcct in closcu
scssion on a fcv spccincally ucnncu mattcrs. Thc public can bc
cxcluucu only if thcrc arc spccial or cmcrgcnt circumstanccs
that thrcatcn thc rights of inuiviuuals or thc public intcrcst (NJSA
1u:4-). In practicc, most timcs, councils mcct in closcu scssion
to uiscuss cithcr pcrsonncl mattcrs or lavsuits. Attcnuancc at
council mcctings givc citizcns a nrst-hanu imprcssion of council
mcmbcrs, vhich can bc cxtrcmcly hclpful in nguring out thc
bcst vays to talk to thcm about issucs of conccrn.
3. Right to Minutes of CounciI Meetings - Citizcns havc thc
right to thc minutcs of any council mccting anu thcsc minutcs
must bc availablc promptly (N.J.S.A. 1u:4-14). Thc ucnnition of
promptly as uctcrmincu by statc courts is that thc minutcs
nccu to bc availablc bcforc a topic, vhich has bccn prcviously
uiscusscu, is auurcsscu at a futurc council mccting (Vatavan
Rcgional Tcachcrs Association vcrsus Vatavan-Abcruccn
Rcgional Boaru of Fuucation, 212 N.J. Supcr 328, Iav Division
1986). Thc minutcs arc thc ofncial rccoru of thc council mccting
anu arc valuablc information for any citizcn.
4. Right to Minutes of CIosed Sessions - Citizcns havc thc right
to vicv minutcs takcn uuring closcu scssions at an appropriatc
timc. An appropriatc timc is gcncrally ucnncu as thc timc vhcn
thc rcason thc mattcr vas originally uiscusscu no longcr cxists
(N.J.S.A. 1u:4-13).
5. Right to Videotape CounciI Meetings - Citizcns havc thc right
to viucotapc a council mccting as long as thcy proviuc noticc
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City anu tovn councils also vary in vhcthcr thcir mcmbcrs arc
clcctcu by a community-viuc votc, or vhcthcr thc community is
uiviucu into council varus vith rcsiucnts of cach varu clccting
thcir ovn council mcmbcr. Thcrc arc somc Ncv Jcrscy communitics
that havc a combination of community-viuc council scats, callcu at-
largc scats, anu varu council scats. What is most important for our
purposcs, hovcvcr, is that as clcctcu ofncials, council mcmbcrs arc
scnsitivc to thc opinions of citizcns - particularly knovlcugcablc,
cngagcu citizcns vith constructivc rccommcnuations.
Councils ucciuc ncarly all thc mattcrs bcforc thcm by a majority votc.
In ncarly all Ncv Jcrscy communitics, hovcvcr, thc Vayor has thc right
to vcto a mcasurc passcu by thc council, anu it usually takcs a tvo-
thirus votc of thc council to ovcrriuc it. In orucr to participatc most
cffcctivcly in your local govcrnmcnt, it is important to knov cxactly
hov it is organizcu. Thc bcst vay to obtain this information is to call or
vritc thc municipal clcrk anu ask thcm thc folloving qucstions:
1} how is the ayor eIected!
2} how aoy couociI ebers are there!
3} Are the couociI ebers eIected couoity-wide, by ward or
by soe cobioatioo oI the two!
4} What power does the ayor have to veto couociI proposaIs!
Io soe couoities, this aod other useIuI ioIoratioo cao be
Iouod oo the uoicipaI goveroeot web site.
ClllZEMS RlGHlS VllH RESPECl lC CCMClLS
1. Right to Advance Notice of CounciI Meetings - Citizcns havc thc
right to aucquatc anu auvanccu noticc of council mcctings (NJSA
1u:4-). Noticc can bc proviucu in onc of tvo vays: 1) annual
noticc of thc schcuulc for thc ycar of council mcctings that arc
auoptcu at thc ycarly rc-organization mccting (N.J.S.A. 1u:4-18),
2) spccinc noticcs at lcast 48 hours in auvancc (N.J.S.A.1u: 4-).
Thc schcuulcs of mcctings arc rcquircu to bc postcu at Tovn
Hall, anu if thc schcuulc is rcviscu, thc rcvisions must bc postcu.
As a citizcn, you havc thc right to a copy of thc schcuulc anu to
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thirty minutcs bcforc thc mccting commcnccs (Vauricc Rivcr

Tvp. Boaru of Fuucation vcrsus Vauricc Rivcr Tvp. Tcachcrs
Association, 18 N.J. Supcr 566 (Ch. Div. 1982)). In orucr to
climinatc thc possibility of a uisputc ovcr vhcthcr sufncicnt
noticc has bccn givcn, it is bcst to notify thc council in vriting
a uay or so bcforc thc mccting anu to bring a copy of your
vrittcn notincation to thc council mccting. Viucotaping must
bc conuuctcu in a vay that uocs not intcrfcrc vith thc conuuct
of thc mccting. Viucotapcs can bc uscu to givc citizcns vho arc
vorking vith you on an issuc anu vho arc unablc to attcnu thc
mccting a goou account of vhat occurrcu. It also proviucs a
rccoru of vhat commitmcnts inuiviuual council mcmbcrs mauc,
vhich in-turn scrvcs as a goou accountability tool.
6. Right to Review Proposed Laws Before Adoption - Citizcns
havc thc right to rcvicv proposcu local lavs, rcfcrrcu to as
oruinanccs, bcforc thcy arc auoptcu. Irom vhcn an oruinancc
is introuuccu, rcfcrrcu to as nrst rcauing, at lcast tcn uays must
pass until it can bc votcu on. Iurthcr, proposcu oruinanccs must
bc postcu anu copics must bc mauc availablc at lcast scvcn uays
bcforc a council votc on thc oruinancc (N.J.S.A. 4u:49-2).
Thc cxccption to thc nccu for auvancc noticc is thc
consiucration of a rcsolution, vhich can bc votcu on in thc samc
council mccting at vhich it is introuuccu (N.J.S.A. 4u:49-1). Unlikc
an oruinancc, a rcsolution uocs not bccomc part of thc pcrmancnt
lav of thc municipality, it only lasts for thc uuration of thc tcrm of
thc govcrning bouy or for onc ycar (N.J.S.A. 4u:49-1).
7. Right to Be Heard at CounciI Meetings - Citizcns havc thc
right to bc hcaru at a public hcaring that is rcquircu bcforc
an oruinancc can bc auoptcu. In practicc, thc public hcaring
usually takcs placc at thc samc council mccting in vhich thc
proposcu oruinancc vill bc votcu on. Citizcns arc rcquircu to bc
givcn at lcast scvcn uays noticc for thc public hcaring (N.J.S.A.
4u:49-1-2). Thcrc arc normally timc limits for your prcscntation,
so it is important to prcparc so you can bc concisc. Part of thc
CH/||| .
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prcparation is to call thc municipal clcrk to ask vhcthcr thcrc
vill bc a timc limit anu if so, hov long. Fvcn if thcrc arc not
formal limits, it is bcst to bc bricf no longcr than 5 minutcs is a
goou rulc of thumb. In most cascs, if you vant to spcak, you vill
nccu to sign-up at thc bcginning of thc mccting.
This is thc mccting in vhich it is critical to gct fcllov
citizcns to join you in spcaking out on your issuc. Iocal council
pcoplc tcnu to bc highly inuucnccu by thc numbcrs of citizcns
vho voicc thcir opinion.
Ncv Jcrscy city anu tovn councils must also proviuc
othcr timcs uuring council mcctings vhcn citizcns can spcak
morc gcncrally about mattcrs that thcy bclicvc arc important
to thc community (P.I.2uu2, c.8u). Thcsc public commcnt timcs
proviuc cxccllcnt opportunitics to raisc issucs you voulu likc
to scc thc council consiucr. To nnu out about gcncral public
commcnt timcs contact thc municipal clcrk.
8. Right to Know Where Your Tax DoIIars Go - Citizcns havc thc
right to obtain copics of thc proposcu municipal buugct (N.J.S.A.
4u A: 4-8(1)(b)). Thc buugct is usually thc bcst uocumcnt for
sccing hov a municipality spcnus its moncy.
9. Right to MunicipaI Records - Unucr a rcccnt major rcvision of
thc Opcn Public Rccorus Act, citizcns nov havc thc right to
municipal rccorus incluuing govcrnmcnt contracts anu local
govcrnmcnt mcmoranua. Thc prcsumption is that municipal
rccorus shoulu bc acccssiblc to thc public. In orucr to kccp a
uocumcnt sccrct from a citizcn intcrcstcu in cxamining it, thc
municipality voulu havc to ucmonstratc a compclling intcrcst.
Thc municipality has scvcn busincss uays to fulnll a rcqucst from
a citizcn, unlcss it is a particularly lcngthy or othcrvisc uifncult
rcqucst. Iurthcr, if a rcqucst for a rccoru is ucnicu, citizcns vill
soon bc ablc to appcal to a ncv statc agcncy crcatcu by thc
lcgislation, thc Govcrnmcnt Rccorus Council, anu this appcal
vill bc hcaru for frcc (C. 4:1A-1).
During busincss hours, citizcns can copy public rccorus
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thirty minutcs bcforc thc mccting commcnccs (Vauricc Rivcr

Tvp. Boaru of Fuucation vcrsus Vauricc Rivcr Tvp. Tcachcrs
Association, 18 N.J. Supcr 566 (Ch. Div. 1982)). In orucr to
climinatc thc possibility of a uisputc ovcr vhcthcr sufncicnt
noticc has bccn givcn, it is bcst to notify thc council in vriting
a uay or so bcforc thc mccting anu to bring a copy of your
vrittcn notincation to thc council mccting. Viucotaping must
bc conuuctcu in a vay that uocs not intcrfcrc vith thc conuuct
of thc mccting. Viucotapcs can bc uscu to givc citizcns vho arc
vorking vith you on an issuc anu vho arc unablc to attcnu thc
mccting a goou account of vhat occurrcu. It also proviucs a
rccoru of vhat commitmcnts inuiviuual council mcmbcrs mauc,
vhich in-turn scrvcs as a goou accountability tool.
6. Right to Review Proposed Laws Before Adoption - Citizcns
havc thc right to rcvicv proposcu local lavs, rcfcrrcu to as
oruinanccs, bcforc thcy arc auoptcu. Irom vhcn an oruinancc
is introuuccu, rcfcrrcu to as nrst rcauing, at lcast tcn uays must
pass until it can bc votcu on. Iurthcr, proposcu oruinanccs must
bc postcu anu copics must bc mauc availablc at lcast scvcn uays
bcforc a council votc on thc oruinancc (N.J.S.A. 4u:49-2).
Thc cxccption to thc nccu for auvancc noticc is thc
consiucration of a rcsolution, vhich can bc votcu on in thc samc
council mccting at vhich it is introuuccu (N.J.S.A. 4u:49-1). Unlikc
an oruinancc, a rcsolution uocs not bccomc part of thc pcrmancnt
lav of thc municipality, it only lasts for thc uuration of thc tcrm of
thc govcrning bouy or for onc ycar (N.J.S.A. 4u:49-1).
7. Right to Be Heard at CounciI Meetings - Citizcns havc thc
right to bc hcaru at a public hcaring that is rcquircu bcforc
an oruinancc can bc auoptcu. In practicc, thc public hcaring
usually takcs placc at thc samc council mccting in vhich thc
proposcu oruinancc vill bc votcu on. Citizcns arc rcquircu to bc
givcn at lcast scvcn uays noticc for thc public hcaring (N.J.S.A.
4u:49-1-2). Thcrc arc normally timc limits for your prcscntation,
so it is important to prcparc so you can bc concisc. Part of thc
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by hanu or purchasc photocopics of thcm. Copics shall cost
$u.5 pcr pagc for thc nrst 1u pagcs, $u.5u pcr pagc for thc
ncxt tcn pagcs anu $u.25 pcr pagc for all auuitional pagcs unlcss
othcrvisc spccincu by lav (N.J.S.A. 4: 1A-2). Somctimcs, it is
possiblc to gct copics at a lovcr cost.
It is a goou iuca to inspcct thc rccorus bcforc copics arc
mauc, particularly if you arc not uoing thc copying yoursclf.
This vill insurc that no mistakcs havc bccn mauc anu thc right
rccorus havc bccn proviucu.
Accoruing to thc Star-Icugcr, thcrc arc four basic stcps to
obtaining thc rccorus that vill bc most uscful:
a) ldentify the Fecords You Want - It is critical to bc spccinc
about vhat rccorus you arc rcqucsting. Ior cxamplc, if you
arc rcscarching a council`s past uccisions on curfcvs for
tccnagcrs, it is bcttcr to narrov uovn thc mccting uatcs
vhcn thcsc mattcrs vcrc consiucrcu than to makc an opcn
cnucu rcqucst for thc past 2u ycars of council minutcs. Thc
statc has sct up a vcb sitc, vvv.nj.gov/opra to proviuc
guiuancc on thcsc kinus of qucstions.
b) eteruine Who has Custody of the Fecords You Want - Fvcry
govcrnmcnt agcncy is nov rcquircu to ucsignatc a rccoru
custouian. Ior most municipal rccorus thc clcrk vill bc thc
custouian. Thc Icaguc of Vunicipalitics is rccommcnuing
that policc ucpartmcnts ucsignatc somconc as a ucputy
custouian to hanulc frcqucntly askcu-for rccorus, such as
acciucnt rcports. School boarus vill ucsignatc thcir ovn
custouians anu thcy vill vary from uistrict to uistrict, so it is
bcst to ask bcforc nling a rcqucst.
c) 0btain and Fill 0ut the Appropriate Foru - A rcquircmcnt of thc
ncv lav is that rccoru custouians ucvclop thcir ovn forms
to bc uscu for rccoru rcqucsts. Bcforc submitting onc, chcck
vith thc rccoru custouian so that you can gct thc right form
or at lcast uctcrminc that you uo not nccu to usc it. If you
arc rcqucsting rccorus from a statc agcncy anu ucpartmcnt
that may shcu light on a local issuc you arc conccrncu about,
CH/||| .
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you can uo that on-linc at vvv. statc.nj.us:444/ NASApp/
DCA_OPRA/ucpartmcnt.jsp.
d) Know Your Fights - As uiscusscu abovc, thc Public Opcn
Rccorus Act givcs citizcns ncv vcapons. Thcsc incluuc a
frcc mcuiation proccss, a scvcn-busincss uay rcquircmcnt
for fulnlling most rccoru rcqucsts anu a ncv prcsumption
that rccorus shoulu bc public unlcss thcrc is a compclling
intcrcst in sccrccy. Knoving thcsc rights vill hclp you gain
thc rccorus you nccu.
10. Right to Go DirectIy to the PeopIe - In 128 Ncv Jcrscy
municipalitics, ncarly 1 in 4, citizcns havc thc right to takc
thcir casc uircctly to thc pcoplc through thc initiativc proccss.
Citizcns in thcsc communitics may placc a proposcu oruinancc
on thc ballot if thcy obtain, on a pctition, thc rcquircu numbcr
of signaturcs of rcgistcrcu votcrs vho arc municipal rcsiucnts
Thc numbcr of signaturcs rcquircu is morc than 1u of thc total
votcs cast in thc municipality at thc timc of thc most rcccnt
Gcncral Asscmbly clcction (N.J.S.A. 4u:69A-34). Whcn conuucting
a pctition urivc, thc goal shoulu bc to gct at lcast 2u morc
signaturcs than thc rcquircu numbcr, bccausc signaturcs can bc
challcngcu for a varicty of rcasons not limitcu to vhcthcr thc
pcrson in qucstion is rcgistcrcu to votc or not. Thcrcforc, it is
important to havc cnough signaturcs to vithstanu a challcngc.
In auuition, gathcring signaturcs substantially abovc thc amount
rcquircu is a uisinccntivc for anyonc to launch a challcngc.
11. Right to FoIIow the Money - Citizcns in Ncv Jcrscy havc thc right
to knov thc iucntity of any political contributor vho givcs $4uu
or morc to thcir council mcmbcrs anu to council canuiuatcs as
vcll as thc total amount rosc anu a uctailcu accounting of hov
this political moncy is spcnt. Flcctcu ofncials anu canuiuatcs arc
rcquircu to nlc rcports rcgularly vith thc Ncv Jcrscy Flcction
Fnforccmcnt Commission (FIFC) (N.J.S.A. 19:44A-3, 19:44A-4).
Thcsc rcports can bc vicvcu at thc FIFC ofncc, 28 Statc Strcct
in Trcnton or citizcns can orucr copics of thc rcports for a fcc.
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by hanu or purchasc photocopics of thcm. Copics shall cost
$u.5 pcr pagc for thc nrst 1u pagcs, $u.5u pcr pagc for thc
ncxt tcn pagcs anu $u.25 pcr pagc for all auuitional pagcs unlcss
othcrvisc spccincu by lav (N.J.S.A. 4: 1A-2). Somctimcs, it is
possiblc to gct copics at a lovcr cost.
It is a goou iuca to inspcct thc rccorus bcforc copics arc
mauc, particularly if you arc not uoing thc copying yoursclf.
This vill insurc that no mistakcs havc bccn mauc anu thc right
rccorus havc bccn proviucu.
Accoruing to thc Star-Icugcr, thcrc arc four basic stcps to
obtaining thc rccorus that vill bc most uscful:
a) ldentify the Fecords You Want - It is critical to bc spccinc
about vhat rccorus you arc rcqucsting. Ior cxamplc, if you
arc rcscarching a council`s past uccisions on curfcvs for
tccnagcrs, it is bcttcr to narrov uovn thc mccting uatcs
vhcn thcsc mattcrs vcrc consiucrcu than to makc an opcn
cnucu rcqucst for thc past 2u ycars of council minutcs. Thc
statc has sct up a vcb sitc, vvv.nj.gov/opra to proviuc
guiuancc on thcsc kinus of qucstions.
b) eteruine Who has Custody of the Fecords You Want - Fvcry
govcrnmcnt agcncy is nov rcquircu to ucsignatc a rccoru
custouian. Ior most municipal rccorus thc clcrk vill bc thc
custouian. Thc Icaguc of Vunicipalitics is rccommcnuing
that policc ucpartmcnts ucsignatc somconc as a ucputy
custouian to hanulc frcqucntly askcu-for rccorus, such as
acciucnt rcports. School boarus vill ucsignatc thcir ovn
custouians anu thcy vill vary from uistrict to uistrict, so it is
bcst to ask bcforc nling a rcqucst.
c) 0btain and Fill 0ut the Appropriate Foru - A rcquircmcnt of thc
ncv lav is that rccoru custouians ucvclop thcir ovn forms
to bc uscu for rccoru rcqucsts. Bcforc submitting onc, chcck
vith thc rccoru custouian so that you can gct thc right form
or at lcast uctcrminc that you uo not nccu to usc it. If you
arc rcqucsting rccorus from a statc agcncy anu ucpartmcnt
that may shcu light on a local issuc you arc conccrncu about,
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Vunicipal political partics must also nlc rcports vith FIFC.
Whcn folloving thc moncy, it is important to chcck thc party
rcports, bccausc at thc local lcvcl, most of thc political moncy is
usually raiscu through thc partics.
12. Right to EIect your CounciI Members - Citizcns, vho vill bc 18
ycars olu by thc clcction anu vho arc rcgistcrcu to votc, havc thc
right to votc in council clcctions. Citizcns also havc thc right to
participatc in council clcctions by voluntccring for thc council
canuiuatc of thcir choicc. Whilc thc amount of moncy spcnt on
local clcctions in Ncv Jcrscy is stcauily incrcasing, it is still thc
casc that most council campaigns arc uominatcu by grassroots
activity anu onc activc voluntccr can makc a big uiffcrcncc.
13. Right to Run for CounciI - Citizcns, vho vill bc 18 ycars olu
by thc clcction anu vho arc rcgistcrcu to votc, havc
thc right to run for council. Vany citizcns, vho gct
involvcu, nrst by auvocating a local issuc, cnu
up running for council anu vinning. Scrvicc
on thc council is a grcat vay to havc a positivc
impact in your community anu to nght for thc
issucs most important to you.
14. The Right to Remove a CounciI Member -
Citizcns in somc Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc thc
right to rcmovc a council mcmbcr or thc mayor through a
rccall pctition, vhich triggcrs an clcction to ucciuc vhcthcr
thc clcctcu ofncial in qucstion stays or gocs (N.J.S.A. 4u:41A-88).
Sincc it is casicr to opposc an clcctcu ofncial vhcn thcy run
for rc-clcction, thc rccall proccss is uscu sparingly anu usually
only for cascs vhcrc thc public pcrccivcs somconc is ncglccting
thcir uutics or uoing scrious uamagc to thc community.
15. Right to Your Day in Court - Citizcns havc broau stanuing to
challcngc a varicty of municipal govcrnmcnt actions in court if
thcy bclicvc thcy arc illcgal or unconstitutional. Thcsc incluuc:
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1) challcnging any procccuing that occurrcu in violation of thc
Opcn Vcctings Act, 2) suing a municipality unucr fcucral lav for
actions contrary to thc Unitcu Statcs Constitution, 3) pctitioning
thc courts to rcqucst an invcstigation of municipal nnancial
practiccs, 4) challcnging a municipal buugct, a publicly avarucu
contract, a liccnsing oruinancc or a busincss rcgulation. Icgal
actions tcnu to bc cxpcnsivc anu, as a rcsult, arc usually uscu by
citizcns as a last rcsort.
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Vunicipal political partics must also nlc rcports vith FIFC.
Whcn folloving thc moncy, it is important to chcck thc party
rcports, bccausc at thc local lcvcl, most of thc political moncy is
usually raiscu through thc partics.
12. Right to EIect your CounciI Members - Citizcns, vho vill bc 18
ycars olu by thc clcction anu vho arc rcgistcrcu to votc, havc thc
right to votc in council clcctions. Citizcns also havc thc right to
participatc in council clcctions by voluntccring for thc council
canuiuatc of thcir choicc. Whilc thc amount of moncy spcnt on
local clcctions in Ncv Jcrscy is stcauily incrcasing, it is still thc
casc that most council campaigns arc uominatcu by grassroots
activity anu onc activc voluntccr can makc a big uiffcrcncc.
13. Right to Run for CounciI - Citizcns, vho vill bc 18 ycars olu
by thc clcction anu vho arc rcgistcrcu to votc, havc
thc right to run for council. Vany citizcns, vho gct
involvcu, nrst by auvocating a local issuc, cnu
up running for council anu vinning. Scrvicc
on thc council is a grcat vay to havc a positivc
impact in your community anu to nght for thc
issucs most important to you.
14. The Right to Remove a CounciI Member -
Citizcns in somc Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc thc
right to rcmovc a council mcmbcr or thc mayor through a
rccall pctition, vhich triggcrs an clcction to ucciuc vhcthcr
thc clcctcu ofncial in qucstion stays or gocs (N.J.S.A. 4u:41A-88).
Sincc it is casicr to opposc an clcctcu ofncial vhcn thcy run
for rc-clcction, thc rccall proccss is uscu sparingly anu usually
only for cascs vhcrc thc public pcrccivcs somconc is ncglccting
thcir uutics or uoing scrious uamagc to thc community.
15. Right to Your Day in Court - Citizcns havc broau stanuing to
challcngc a varicty of municipal govcrnmcnt actions in court if
thcy bclicvc thcy arc illcgal or unconstitutional. Thcsc incluuc:
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BACKGRCMD
Thc local school boaru ovcrsccs public cuucation in a community
from prc-kinucrgartcn through high school. Thc boaru is rcsponsiblc
for sctting ovcr-all policy for thc local school uistrict. Among thc
boaru`s arcas of rcsponsibility arc cnsuring quality instruction, sounu
nscal managcmcnt anu aucquatc facilitics. Thc school boaru hircs
thc supcrintcnucnt of schools vho is rcsponsiblc for implcmcnting
policics sct by thc boaru.
Iurthcr, local school boarus havc a broau amount of uiscrction in
thc arca of curriculum. Thcrc arc statcviuc curriculum guiuclincs
that all public schools arc rcsponsiblc for folloving anu thcrc arc
stanuaruizcu tcsts that all Ncv Jcrscy public school stuucnts must
takc. Hovcvcr, thc curriculum rcquircmcnts tcnu to bc gcncral,
vhich lcavcs a substantial amount of autonomy at thc local lcvcl.
Thc statc plays a morc hanus-on rolc in thc thirty ucsignatcu
Abbott uistricts. Thcsc uistricts, mainly urban, lovcr incomc vith
a high pcrccntagc of minority stuucnts, rcccivc incrcascu statc
funuing as a rcsult of a scrics of NJ Suprcmc Court uccisions. In
thcsc uccisions, thc Suprcmc Court has consistcntly rulcu that thc
amount of moncy spcnt pcr pupil throughout Ncv Jcrscy must bc
morc cqual in orucr to rcalizc thc Ncv Jcrscy Constitution`s promisc
of a thorough anu cfncicnt cuucation for all public school stuucnts.
This incrcascu funuing is ticu to spccinc rcquircmcnts. Ior cxamplc,
cach school vithin an Abbot uistrict must sclcct anu implcmcnt onc
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of thc statc approvcu vholc school rcform plans. Still, cvcn in thc
Abbott uistricts, local school boarus havc a fair amount of uiscrction
on curriculum mattcrs anu many important curriculum uccisions
arc mauc at thc local lcvcl.
Othcr important qucstions ucciucu by local school boarus arc:
hov much tcachcrs vill bc paiu, vhat profcssional ucvclopmcnt
cfforts to improvc tcachcr pcrformancc vill bc funucu, anu vhcn
to proposc ncv school construction. As a rcsult, citizcns vho carc
about public cuucation nccu to pay attcntion anu vork to inuucncc
thcir local school boaru.
Vost communitics havc clcctcu school boarus. In a small numbcr
of communitics thc mayor appoints thc mcmbcrs of thc school
boaru. Ior citizcns to uctcrminc vhat stratcgics to cmploy to gct thc
bcst rcsults, it is important to knov vhcthcr thcir school boaru is
clcctcu or appointcu. If a school boaru is clcctcu, it vill bc critical
to makc your casc uircctly to thcm. If a school boaru is appointcu, it
vill also bc important to makc your conccrns knovn to thc mayor,
bccausc hc/shc is likcly to havc a fair amount of inuucncc ovcr thc
mcmbcrs hc appoints. To nnu out vhat typc of school boaru your
community has, call thc boaru of cuucation anu ask thc clcrk. Iinally,
vhcn chilurcn in a school uistrict consistcntly pcrform poorly anu
thcrc arc qucstions of mismanagcmcnt, thcrc is a provision for thc
statc to takc ovcr thc opcration of thc school uistrict. This occurs
rarcly - only thrcc timcs sincc thc statc takcovcr provision vas
cnactcu into lav in 198. In thcsc cascs, thc statc appoints a school
supcrintcnucnt, anu thc local boaru of cuucation is uisbanucu anu
rcplaccu by onc appointcu by thc statc cuucation commissioncr. As
a rcsult, citizcn action nccus to bc conccntratcu on thc local statc
lcgislators, thc statc cuucation commissioncr anu thc govcrnor`s
ofncc as vcll as thc ncv local boaru.
ClllZEMS RlGHlS VllH RESPECl lC SCHCCL BCARDS
1. Right to Advance Notice of SchooI Board Meetings - Citizcns
havc thc right to auvancc noticc of school boaru mcctings (N.J.S.A.
1u:4-). A schcuulc for thc ycar is rcquircu to bc publishcu vithin
scvcn uays of thc school boaru`s annual mccting (N.J.S.A. 1u:4-
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18). Thc schcuulc is rcquircu to bc postcu at thc school uistrict

auministration builuing anu publishcu in at lcast tvo local
ncvspapcrs. Spccinc inuiviuual mccting noticcs for auuitional
mcctings or to rcvisc thc schcuulc rcquirc 48 hours noticc
anu must bc postcu as vcll. Citizcns havc thc right to havc thc
school boaru scnu thcm copics of thc mccting schcuulcs as vcll
as auvancc noticc of mcctings not sct forth on thc schcuulc. Thc
school boaru is allovcu to chargc a rcasonablc fcc for this scrvicc
(N.J.S.A. 1u:4-19). Fvcn if you orucr thc mccting schcuulc anu
noticc of rcvisions, it is important to rcau your local ncvspapcr
bccausc in cascs of an cmcrgcncy thc school boaru can call a
mccting vithout auvancc noticc (NJSA1u: 4-,1u:4-9).
2. Right to Attend SchooI Board Meetings - Citizcns havc thc right
to attcnu school boaru mcctings. Vcctings must bc hclu at lcast
cvcry tvo months vhilc school is in scssion (N.J.S.A. 18A: 1u-
6). Hovcvcr, most local boarus of cuucation choosc to mcct
monthly. In ccrtain cascs, thc public can bc cxcluucu from a part
of thc mccting if thcrc arc spccial or cmcrgcnt circumstanccs
that thrcatcn thc rights of inuiviuuals or thc public intcrcst (N.J.S
A. 1u:4-). Ior similar rcasons, thc school boaru vill occasionally
mcct privatcly in cxccutivc scssion. In practicc, closcu scssions
arc usually hclu to uiscuss pcrsonncl mattcrs, lavsuits or to ucal
vith stuucnt uisciplinary pcnaltics.
Attcnuancc at school boaru mcctings givc citizcns a nrst-
hanu imprcssion of thc boaru mcmbcrs vhich can bc cxtrcmcly
hclpful in nguring out thc bcst vays to talk to thcm about issucs
of conccrn.
3. Right to Minutes of SchooI Board Meetings - Citizcns havc thc
right to thc minutcs of school boaru mcctings anu thc minutcs
must bc mauc availablc promptly. Thc ucnnition of promptly
as uctcrmincu by statc courts is that minutcs that covcr a topic
that has bccn prcviously uiscusscu must bc prouuccu bcforc thc
topic is uiscusscu again (Vatavan Rcgional Tcachcrs Association
v. Vatavan-Abcruccn Rcgional Boaru of Fuucation, 212 N.J. Supcr
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of thc statc approvcu vholc school rcform plans. Still, cvcn in thc
Abbott uistricts, local school boarus havc a fair amount of uiscrction
on curriculum mattcrs anu many important curriculum uccisions
arc mauc at thc local lcvcl.
Othcr important qucstions ucciucu by local school boarus arc:
hov much tcachcrs vill bc paiu, vhat profcssional ucvclopmcnt
cfforts to improvc tcachcr pcrformancc vill bc funucu, anu vhcn
to proposc ncv school construction. As a rcsult, citizcns vho carc
about public cuucation nccu to pay attcntion anu vork to inuucncc
thcir local school boaru.
Vost communitics havc clcctcu school boarus. In a small numbcr
of communitics thc mayor appoints thc mcmbcrs of thc school
boaru. Ior citizcns to uctcrminc vhat stratcgics to cmploy to gct thc
bcst rcsults, it is important to knov vhcthcr thcir school boaru is
clcctcu or appointcu. If a school boaru is clcctcu, it vill bc critical
to makc your casc uircctly to thcm. If a school boaru is appointcu, it
vill also bc important to makc your conccrns knovn to thc mayor,
bccausc hc/shc is likcly to havc a fair amount of inuucncc ovcr thc
mcmbcrs hc appoints. To nnu out vhat typc of school boaru your
community has, call thc boaru of cuucation anu ask thc clcrk. Iinally,
vhcn chilurcn in a school uistrict consistcntly pcrform poorly anu
thcrc arc qucstions of mismanagcmcnt, thcrc is a provision for thc
statc to takc ovcr thc opcration of thc school uistrict. This occurs
rarcly - only thrcc timcs sincc thc statc takcovcr provision vas
cnactcu into lav in 198. In thcsc cascs, thc statc appoints a school
supcrintcnucnt, anu thc local boaru of cuucation is uisbanucu anu
rcplaccu by onc appointcu by thc statc cuucation commissioncr. As
a rcsult, citizcn action nccus to bc conccntratcu on thc local statc
lcgislators, thc statc cuucation commissioncr anu thc govcrnor`s
ofncc as vcll as thc ncv local boaru.
ClllZEMS RlGHlS VllH RESPECl lC SCHCCL BCARDS
1. Right to Advance Notice of SchooI Board Meetings - Citizcns
havc thc right to auvancc noticc of school boaru mcctings (N.J.S.A.
1u:4-). A schcuulc for thc ycar is rcquircu to bc publishcu vithin
scvcn uays of thc school boaru`s annual mccting (N.J.S.A. 1u:4-
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328, (Iav Division 1986). Thc minutcs arc thc ofncial rccoru
of thc school boaru mccting anu valuablc information for any
citizcn.
4. Right to Minutes of CIosed Sessions - Citizcns havc thc right
to vicv minutcs takcn uuring closcu scssions at an appropriatc
timc. An appropriatc timc is gcncrally ucnncu as thc timc vhcn
thc rcason thc mattcr vas originally uiscusscu no longcr cxists
(N.J.S.A. 1u:4-13).
5. Right to Videotape SchooI Board Meetings - Citizcns havc
thc right to viucotapc a school boaru mccting as long as thcy
proviuc noticc 3u minutcs bcforc thc mccting commcnccs
(Vauricc Rivcr Tvp. Boaru of Fuucation vcrsus Vauricc Rivcr
Tvp. Tcachcrs Association, 18 N.J. Supcr 566 (Ch. Div. 1982).
In orucr to climinatc thc possibility of a uisputc ovcr vhcthcr
sufncicnt noticc has bccn givcn, it is bcst to notify thc school
boaru in vriting a uay or so bcforc thc mccting anu to bring a
copy of your vrittcn notincation to thc school boaru mccting.
Viucotapcs can bc uscu to givc citizcns vho arc vorking vith
you on an issuc anu vho arc unablc to attcnu thc mccting a goou
accounting of vhat occurrcu. It also proviucs a rccoru of vhat
commitmcnts inuiviuual school boaru mcmbcrs mauc, vhich
scrvcs as a goou accountability tool. In viucotaping a mccting,
citizcns must bc cxtra carcful not to bc uisruptivc.
6. Right to Know How Your Education DoIIars are Spent - Citizcns
havc thc right to rcvicv thc proposcu annual school buugct
prior to its bcing placcu on thc ballot anu prior to a rcquircu
public hcaring (N.J.S.A. 18A: 22-12). Thc buugct vill givc citizcns
a goou scnsc of thc school uistrict`s prioritics.
7. Right to a PubIic Hearing on the SchooI Budget - Citizcns havc a
right to a public hcaring on thc proposcu annual school buugct.
In fact, thc local boaru of cuucation is rcquircu to holu onc bcforc
nnal auoption of thc buugct proposal that vill bc consiucrcu by
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thc votcrs (NJSA 18A: 22- 1u). Boarus of Fuucation must givc four
uays noticc of thc public hcaring by publishing it in a ncvspapcr
that circulatcs vithin thc uistrict (N.J.S.A. 18A: 22-11).
8. Right to Be Heard on the SchooI Budget - Citizcns havc thc
right to offcr commcnts anu objcctions to thc proposcu school
buugct at thc rcquircu public hcaring (N.J.S.A. 18A:
22-11). This is an cxccllcnt forum to raisc issucs of
conccrn. Whilc ucbatcs about school buugcts tcnu
to ccntcr mainly arounu qucstions of vhcthcr thcy
arc too high anu taxcs vill havc to bc raiscu, thcrc
is no rcason vhy citizcns cannot raisc issucs of
cuucational prioritics. If you think that your school
uistrict shoulu bc spcnuing morc on profcssional
ucvclopmcnt for tcachcrs or for ncv classroom
matcrials, uiscussions about thc buugct proviuc a
goou forum for your vicvs.
9. Right to Vote on the SchooI Budget - Citizcns havc thc right to
votc uircctly on thc school buugct. Thc school buugct must bc
submittcu to thc votcrs for approval at a rcgular clcction (N.J.S.A.
18A: 22-41). Thc only cxccption to this rulc is for communitics
that havc appointcu school boarus anu statc-run uistricts.
10. Right to Vote on SchooI Bond Issues - Citizcns in all school
uistricts havc thc right to votc uircctly on major school bonu
issucs for ncv construction anu infrastructurc improvcmcnts.
Thc clcction cannot bc hclu lcss than 41 uays aftcr thc school
boaru auopts a rcsolution authorizing thc issuing of thc bonus
(N.J.S.A. 18:24-29). Smallcr bonu issucs can go forvaru vithout
votcr approval. In thc casc of citics vith appointcu boarus, if thc
bonu issuc passcs by a tvo-thirus majority, a rcfcrcnuum is not
nccucu.
11. Right to Propose CurricuIum Changes and Additions - Citizcns
havc thc right to proposc ncv curriculum iucas to thcir local
Fublic hearings are an
excellent place to
raise issues of con-
cern about proposed
school budjets
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328, (Iav Division 1986). Thc minutcs arc thc ofncial rccoru
of thc school boaru mccting anu valuablc information for any
citizcn.
4. Right to Minutes of CIosed Sessions - Citizcns havc thc right
to vicv minutcs takcn uuring closcu scssions at an appropriatc
timc. An appropriatc timc is gcncrally ucnncu as thc timc vhcn
thc rcason thc mattcr vas originally uiscusscu no longcr cxists
(N.J.S.A. 1u:4-13).
5. Right to Videotape SchooI Board Meetings - Citizcns havc
thc right to viucotapc a school boaru mccting as long as thcy
proviuc noticc 3u minutcs bcforc thc mccting commcnccs
(Vauricc Rivcr Tvp. Boaru of Fuucation vcrsus Vauricc Rivcr
Tvp. Tcachcrs Association, 18 N.J. Supcr 566 (Ch. Div. 1982).
In orucr to climinatc thc possibility of a uisputc ovcr vhcthcr
sufncicnt noticc has bccn givcn, it is bcst to notify thc school
boaru in vriting a uay or so bcforc thc mccting anu to bring a
copy of your vrittcn notincation to thc school boaru mccting.
Viucotapcs can bc uscu to givc citizcns vho arc vorking vith
you on an issuc anu vho arc unablc to attcnu thc mccting a goou
accounting of vhat occurrcu. It also proviucs a rccoru of vhat
commitmcnts inuiviuual school boaru mcmbcrs mauc, vhich
scrvcs as a goou accountability tool. In viucotaping a mccting,
citizcns must bc cxtra carcful not to bc uisruptivc.
6. Right to Know How Your Education DoIIars are Spent - Citizcns
havc thc right to rcvicv thc proposcu annual school buugct
prior to its bcing placcu on thc ballot anu prior to a rcquircu
public hcaring (N.J.S.A. 18A: 22-12). Thc buugct vill givc citizcns
a goou scnsc of thc school uistrict`s prioritics.
7. Right to a PubIic Hearing on the SchooI Budget - Citizcns havc a
right to a public hcaring on thc proposcu annual school buugct.
In fact, thc local boaru of cuucation is rcquircu to holu onc bcforc
nnal auoption of thc buugct proposal that vill bc consiucrcu by
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school boaru. School boarus havc a grcat
ucal of uiscrction in curriculum mattcrs.
To bc cffcctivc anu incrcasc thc chanccs of
sccing a ncv curriculum iuca bc auoptcu,
it is important that a citizcn uo thcir
homcvork. Thc citizcn shoulu look at thc
statc Corc Curriculum Contcnt Stanuarus
to scc if thcir curriculum iuca auvanccs a stuucnt`s ability to
mastcr thcm. This vill makc thc iuca casicr to scll. In auuition,
a citizcn shoulu rccruit othcr mcmbcrs of thc community to
support thc proposal.
12. Right to Know How Much SchooI OfciaIs and Teachers Are
Being Paid - Citizcns havc thc right to knov thc salarics of all
school cmployccs. This information must bc mauc availablc on
rcqucst. Salarics must bc publicly approvcu at a school boaru
mccting anu bills approvcu for paymcnt at school boaru mcctings
must also bc mauc availablc on rcqucst (N.J.S.A. 4:1A-1u).
13. Right to PubIic Records Regarding the SchooIs - Unucr a rcccnt
rcvision of thc Opcn Public Rccorus Act, citizcns nov havc thc
right to school uistrict rccorus. Thc prcsumption is that school
uistrict rccorus shoulu bc acccssiblc to thc public. In orucr to
kccp a uocumcnt sccrct from a citizcn intcrcstcu in cxamining
it, thc school uistrict voulu havc to ucmonstratc a compclling
intcrcst. Iurthcr, if a rcqucst for a rccoru is ucnicu, citizcns vill
soon bc ablc to appcal to a ncv statc agcncy crcatcu by thc
lcgislation, thc Govcrnmcnt Rccorus Council, anu this appcal
vill bc hcaru for frcc (C.4: 1A-2).
In thc casc of school uistricts, thcrc vill bc ccrtain narrov
arcas cxcmptcu from thc Opcn Public Rccorus Act, such as
stuucnt acaucmic rccorus.
During busincss hours, citizcns can copy public rccorus by
hanu or purchasc photocopics of thcm. Copics shall cost $u.5
pcr pagc for thc nrst 1u pagcs, $u.5u pcr pagc for thc ncxt
tcn pagcs anu $u.25 pcr pagc for all auuitional pagcs unlcss
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othcrvisc spccincu by lav (N.J.S.A. 4: 1A-2). Somctimcs, it is
possiblc to gct copics at a lovcr cost.
It is a goou iuca to inspcct thc rccorus bcforc copics arc mauc,
particularly if you arc not uoing thc copying yoursclf. This vill
insurc that no mistakcs havc bccn mauc anu thc right rccorus
havc bccn proviucu. Accoruing to thc Star-Icugcr, thcrc arc four
basic stcps to obtaining thc rccorus that vill bc most uscful:
a) ldentify the Fecords You Want - It is critical to bc spccinc
about vhat rccorus you arc rcqucsting. Ior cxamplc, if you
arc rcscarching a school boaru`s actions on rcauing anu
math curriculums, it is bcttcr to narrov uovn thc mccting
uatcs vhcn thc issuc vas consiucrcu than to makc an opcn
cnucu rcqucst for thc past 2u ycars of school boaru minutcs.
Thc statc has sct up a vcb sitc, vvv.nj.gov/opra to proviuc
guiuancc on thcsc kinus of qucstions.
b) eteruine Who has Custody of the Fecords You Want - Fvcry
govcrnmcnt agcncy is nov rcquircu to ucsignatc a rccoru
custouian. As a rcsult school boarus vill ucsignatc thcir ovn
custouians anu thcy vill vary from uistrict to uistrict, so it is
bcst to ask bcforc nling a rcqucst.
c) 0btain and Fill 0ut the Appropriate Foru - A rcquircmcnt of thc
ncv lav is that rccoru custouians ucvclop thcir ovn forms
to bc uscu for rccoru rcqucsts. Bcforc submitting onc, chcck
vith thc rccoru custouian so that you can gct thc right form
or at lcast uctcrminc that you uo not nccu to usc it.
d) Know Your Fights - As uiscusscu abovc, thc ncv Opcn
Rccorus Act givcs citizcns ncv vcapons. Thcsc incluuc a
frcc mcuiation proccss, a scvcn-busincss uay rcquircmcnt
for fulnlling most rccoru rcqucsts anu a ncv prcsumption
that rccorus shoulu bc public unlcss thcrc is a compclling
intcrcst in sccrccy. Knoving thcsc rights vill hclp you gain
thc rccorus you nccu.
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school boaru. School boarus havc a grcat
ucal of uiscrction in curriculum mattcrs.
To bc cffcctivc anu incrcasc thc chanccs of
sccing a ncv curriculum iuca bc auoptcu,
it is important that a citizcn uo thcir
homcvork. Thc citizcn shoulu look at thc
statc Corc Curriculum Contcnt Stanuarus
to scc if thcir curriculum iuca auvanccs a stuucnt`s ability to
mastcr thcm. This vill makc thc iuca casicr to scll. In auuition,
a citizcn shoulu rccruit othcr mcmbcrs of thc community to
support thc proposal.
12. Right to Know How Much SchooI OfciaIs and Teachers Are
Being Paid - Citizcns havc thc right to knov thc salarics of all
school cmployccs. This information must bc mauc availablc on
rcqucst. Salarics must bc publicly approvcu at a school boaru
mccting anu bills approvcu for paymcnt at school boaru mcctings
must also bc mauc availablc on rcqucst (N.J.S.A. 4:1A-1u).
13. Right to PubIic Records Regarding the SchooIs - Unucr a rcccnt
rcvision of thc Opcn Public Rccorus Act, citizcns nov havc thc
right to school uistrict rccorus. Thc prcsumption is that school
uistrict rccorus shoulu bc acccssiblc to thc public. In orucr to
kccp a uocumcnt sccrct from a citizcn intcrcstcu in cxamining
it, thc school uistrict voulu havc to ucmonstratc a compclling
intcrcst. Iurthcr, if a rcqucst for a rccoru is ucnicu, citizcns vill
soon bc ablc to appcal to a ncv statc agcncy crcatcu by thc
lcgislation, thc Govcrnmcnt Rccorus Council, anu this appcal
vill bc hcaru for frcc (C.4: 1A-2).
In thc casc of school uistricts, thcrc vill bc ccrtain narrov
arcas cxcmptcu from thc Opcn Public Rccorus Act, such as
stuucnt acaucmic rccorus.
During busincss hours, citizcns can copy public rccorus by
hanu or purchasc photocopics of thcm. Copics shall cost $u.5
pcr pagc for thc nrst 1u pagcs, $u.5u pcr pagc for thc ncxt
tcn pagcs anu $u.25 pcr pagc for all auuitional pagcs unlcss
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14. Right to Contact Your SchooI Board Members - Citizcns havc
thc right to havc thc homc auurcsscs of thcir school boaru
mcmbcrs so thcy may contact thcm on issucs of conccrn. An
cffcctivc vay to makc contact is through a vcll vrittcn lcttcr. An
cvcn morc cffcctivc vay is through organizing a lcttcr-vriting
campaign. Vost school boaru mcmbcrs arc clcctcu ofncials anu
as a rcsult, arc scnsitivc to public opinion.
15. Right to EIect Your SchooI Board Members - Citizcns in most
Ncv Jcrscy municipalitics havc thc right to votc for school boaru
mcmbcrs anu to voluntccr for thc canuiuatc of thcir choicc.
Sincc school boaru clcctions arc hclu at a scparatc timc from
rcgular clcctions, turnouts tcnu to bc lov. As a rcsult, voluntccr
activity on a school boaru racc usually can havc a trcmcnuous
impact on thc outcomc. In thc fcv uistricts vhcrc thc school
boaru is appointcu by thc mayor, citizcns havc thc right to makc
thc quality of thcsc appointmcnts onc of thc critcria thcy usc in
ucciuing vhcthcr to votc for his/hcr rc-clcction.
16. Right to FoIIow the Money - Citizcns in Ncv Jcrscy havc thc
right to knov thc iucntity of campaign contributors vho givc
$4uu or morc to school boaru mcmbcrs or canuiuatcs. Citizcns
also havc thc right to knov thc total amount of moncy raiscu
by school boaru canuiuatcs anu a uctailcu accounting of hov
thc moncy vas spcnt. Canuiuatcs for clcctcu scats on boarus of
cuucation must comply vith campaign funuing uisclosurc lavs
anu nlc rcports vith thc Ncv Jcrscy Flcction Iav Fnforccmcnt
Commission (FIFC) (N.J.S.A. 19:44 A-3, NJSA 19:44 A-4). Thcsc
rcports can bc vicvcu at thc FIFC ofncc, 28 Statc Strcct in
Trcnton, or citizcns can orucr copics of thc rcports for a fcc.
17. Right to Judge Conicts of Interest for You - Boaru of cuucation
mcmbcrs anu scnior school ofncials, such as thc supcrintcnucnt
of schools, must annually uisclosc thcir sourccs of incomc,
thcir cmploycrs anu thc cmploycrs of thcir immcuiatc family
mcmbcrs (N.J.S.A. 18A: 12-25, NJSA 18A: 12-26). 61
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18. Right to Make an Ethics CompIaint - Citizcns havc thc right
to complain to thc school cthics commission if thcy bclicvc
a school ofncial, cithcr a school boaru mcmbcr or a school
auministrator, is taking bribcs or cngaging in othcr activitics
that put thcir pcrsonal nnancial intcrcst ahcau of thcir public
rcsponsibilitics (N.J.S.A. 18 A: 12-29, N.J.S.A. 18A: 12-24). Bcforc
taking thc scrious stcp of louging a complaint, it is auvisablc
to obtain a copy of thc School Fthics Act, vhich lists uctailcu
guiuclincs for school ofncials, anu to makc surc that thc school
ofncial in qucstion is rcally brcaking thc lav.
Thc school cthics commission is a ninc mcmbcr statc
bouy, appointcu by thc govcrnor anu rcsponsiblc for cnforcing
thc School Fthics Act. If thc commission rcccivcs a complaint,
it must uctcrminc, by majority votc, vhcthcr thc allcgations
havc sufncicnt mcrit to procccu vith a hcaring or vhcthcr
thc complaint shoulu bc uismisscu. Hcarings arc conuuctcu by
thc Ofncc of Auministrativc Iav (N.J.S.A. 18:A 12-29(b)). Aftcr
thc hcaring, thc commission vill ucciuc vhcthcr thc Act has
bccn violatcu anu issuc a uisciplinary rccommcnuation to thc
Commissioncr of Fuucation.
19. Right to Run for SchooI Board - Citizcns vho vill bc 18 ycars
olu by thc clcction anu vho arc rcgistcrcu to votc, vho can
rcau anu vritc anu vho havc bccn uistrict rcsiucnts for at lcast
onc ycar havc thc right to run for school boaru (N.J.S.A. 18A:
12-1). Thc only cxccptions to this rulc arc currcnt school uistrict
cmployccs anu currcnt mcmbcrs of thc local govcrning bouy
(N.J.S.A. 18A: 12-2). Scrvicc on thc school boaru is an cxccllcnt
vay to makc a signincant contribution to thc quality of public
cuucation in your arca.
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14. Right to Contact Your SchooI Board Members - Citizcns havc
thc right to havc thc homc auurcsscs of thcir school boaru
mcmbcrs so thcy may contact thcm on issucs of conccrn. An
cffcctivc vay to makc contact is through a vcll vrittcn lcttcr. An
cvcn morc cffcctivc vay is through organizing a lcttcr-vriting
campaign. Vost school boaru mcmbcrs arc clcctcu ofncials anu
as a rcsult, arc scnsitivc to public opinion.
15. Right to EIect Your SchooI Board Members - Citizcns in most
Ncv Jcrscy municipalitics havc thc right to votc for school boaru
mcmbcrs anu to voluntccr for thc canuiuatc of thcir choicc.
Sincc school boaru clcctions arc hclu at a scparatc timc from
rcgular clcctions, turnouts tcnu to bc lov. As a rcsult, voluntccr
activity on a school boaru racc usually can havc a trcmcnuous
impact on thc outcomc. In thc fcv uistricts vhcrc thc school
boaru is appointcu by thc mayor, citizcns havc thc right to makc
thc quality of thcsc appointmcnts onc of thc critcria thcy usc in
ucciuing vhcthcr to votc for his/hcr rc-clcction.
16. Right to FoIIow the Money - Citizcns in Ncv Jcrscy havc thc
right to knov thc iucntity of campaign contributors vho givc
$4uu or morc to school boaru mcmbcrs or canuiuatcs. Citizcns
also havc thc right to knov thc total amount of moncy raiscu
by school boaru canuiuatcs anu a uctailcu accounting of hov
thc moncy vas spcnt. Canuiuatcs for clcctcu scats on boarus of
cuucation must comply vith campaign funuing uisclosurc lavs
anu nlc rcports vith thc Ncv Jcrscy Flcction Iav Fnforccmcnt
Commission (FIFC) (N.J.S.A. 19:44 A-3, NJSA 19:44 A-4). Thcsc
rcports can bc vicvcu at thc FIFC ofncc, 28 Statc Strcct in
Trcnton, or citizcns can orucr copics of thc rcports for a fcc.
17. Right to Judge Conicts of Interest for You - Boaru of cuucation
mcmbcrs anu scnior school ofncials, such as thc supcrintcnucnt
of schools, must annually uisclosc thcir sourccs of incomc,
thcir cmploycrs anu thc cmploycrs of thcir immcuiatc family
mcmbcrs (N.J.S.A. 18A: 12-25, NJSA 18A: 12-26). 61
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PAREMlAL AMD SlDEMl RlGHlS
20. Right to Advocate a Dress Code for Your ChiIdren's SchooI
- Parcnts havc thc right to attcmpt to cnact a urcss couc at
thcir chilurcn`s school rcquiring that stuucnts vcar a uniform.
Thc school boaru can approvc a urcss couc for an
inuiviuual school proviucu that thc principal, staff
anu parcnts of that school (N.J.S.A rcqucst it. 18A:
11-8).
Scparatcly, school boarus arc authorizcu to auopt
a uistrict viuc urcss couc. If a boaru ucciucs to
auopt onc, it must holu a public hcaring on thc issuc
anu proviuc at lcast thrcc months noticc bcforc thc
policy is implcmcntcu. Thc spccinc uniform voulu
bc uctcrmincu by thc principal, staff anu parcnts of
thc inuiviuual school (N.J.S.A. 18A: 11-8(a)).
21. Right to Have Your ChiId Excused From Sex or HeaIth Education
CIasses - Parcnts may sign a statcmcnt inuicating that classcs on
scx or hcalth cuucation conuict vith thcir valucs. Thcir chilurcn
vill bc cxcuscu from thcsc classcs vithout pcnalty (N.J.S.A. 18
A: 35-4.).
22. Right to Participate in Your ChiId's SchooI Through InvoIvement
in a Parent Organization - Ncarly all Ncv Jcrscy public
schools havc a parcnt organization that proviucs an avcnuc of
participation for intcrcstcu parcnts. Thcsc organizations arc not
just about bakc salcs, thcy givc parcnts nrst-hanu imprcssions
about vhat is happcning in thcir chilu`s school anu allov for
thc builuing of rclationships vith principals anu tcachcrs that
can proviuc thc opportunity for mcaningful input. (N.J.S.A. 18A:
6-33.11).
23. Right to Participate in SchooI Based Management Committees
Required in the Abbot Districts - Thc thirty Abbot uistricts
rcquirc inuiviuual schools to havc school bascu managcmcnt
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committccs that incluuc parcnts anu community mcmbcrs, along
vith stuucnts, tcachcrs anu principals. Thc purposc of thcsc
committccs is to cncouragc a broau-bascu cffort to improvc
stuucnt achicvcmcnt by bringing togcthcr all thc rclcvant
stakcholucrs. Thcir fcllov parcnts sclcct parcnt mcmbcrs. If
thc parcnts uo not sclcct thc rcquircu numbcr, thc principal
sclccts thc rcmaining parcnts. Thc principal sclccts community
mcmbcrs. Training is proviucu. Thc tcrm of ofncc is tvo ycars
(NJSA 6A: 24-2.1).
24. Right to a OuaIity Education - Thc Ncv Jcrscy Statc Constitution
proviucs that thc Ncv Jcrscy statc lcgislaturc must proviuc a
thorough anu cfncicnt systcm of frcc public schools for stuucnts
bctvccn thc agcs of nvc anu cightccn ycars (NJ Constitution
part VIII). This part of thc statc constitution has givcn parcnts
stanuing to suc to upgrauc thcir chilu`s cuucation. It is thc basis
of thc Abbott v. Burkc casc in vhich thc NJ Suprcmc Court rulcu
that urban schools in thc statc must bc improvcu.
25. Right to Adequate FaciIities and Equipment - School uistricts
arc rcquircu by lav to proviuc stuucnts vith appropriatc school
builuings, cquipmcnt anu furniturc (N.J.S.A. 18A: 33-1).
26. Right to a Free Lunch - Stuucnts vho qualify bascu on
ccrtain statcviuc critcria must bc offcrcu frcc lunchcs
(N.J.S.A. 18A: 33-4).
27. Right to Be Treated FairIy - Stuucnts cannot bc uiscriminatcu
against on thc basis of racc, color, crccu, scx or national origin
(N.J.S.A. 18 A: 38-5.1).
28. Right to Your ChiId's Records - Parcnts havc thc right to obtain a
chilu`s cntirc school rccoru (N.J.S.A. 18A: 36-19).
29. Right to Freedom of Expression - Stuucnts havc thc right to
cxprcss thcir opinions on thc issucs that mattcr to thcm at
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PAREMlAL AMD SlDEMl RlGHlS
20. Right to Advocate a Dress Code for Your ChiIdren's SchooI
- Parcnts havc thc right to attcmpt to cnact a urcss couc at
thcir chilurcn`s school rcquiring that stuucnts vcar a uniform.
Thc school boaru can approvc a urcss couc for an
inuiviuual school proviucu that thc principal, staff
anu parcnts of that school (N.J.S.A rcqucst it. 18A:
11-8).
Scparatcly, school boarus arc authorizcu to auopt
a uistrict viuc urcss couc. If a boaru ucciucs to
auopt onc, it must holu a public hcaring on thc issuc
anu proviuc at lcast thrcc months noticc bcforc thc
policy is implcmcntcu. Thc spccinc uniform voulu
bc uctcrmincu by thc principal, staff anu parcnts of
thc inuiviuual school (N.J.S.A. 18A: 11-8(a)).
21. Right to Have Your ChiId Excused From Sex or HeaIth Education
CIasses - Parcnts may sign a statcmcnt inuicating that classcs on
scx or hcalth cuucation conuict vith thcir valucs. Thcir chilurcn
vill bc cxcuscu from thcsc classcs vithout pcnalty (N.J.S.A. 18
A: 35-4.).
22. Right to Participate in Your ChiId's SchooI Through InvoIvement
in a Parent Organization - Ncarly all Ncv Jcrscy public
schools havc a parcnt organization that proviucs an avcnuc of
participation for intcrcstcu parcnts. Thcsc organizations arc not
just about bakc salcs, thcy givc parcnts nrst-hanu imprcssions
about vhat is happcning in thcir chilu`s school anu allov for
thc builuing of rclationships vith principals anu tcachcrs that
can proviuc thc opportunity for mcaningful input. (N.J.S.A. 18A:
6-33.11).
23. Right to Participate in SchooI Based Management Committees
Required in the Abbot Districts - Thc thirty Abbot uistricts
rcquirc inuiviuual schools to havc school bascu managcmcnt
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school. This uocs not mcan that thcy can uisrupt classroom
activity, but thcy cannot bc pcnalizcu for thcir vicvs.
30. Right Not to Be Strip Searched - Stuucnts cannot bc strip
scarchcu by school pcrsonncl (N.J.S.A. 18A: 3:2- 1).
31. Right to Due Process in ExpuIsion Proceedings - Stuucnts
subjcctcu to cxpulsion procccuings havc a right to proccuural
uuc proccss incluuing lcgal rcprcscntation (N.J.S.A. 18A: 3-6.1).




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Ch/|I|K N|N|.
I|e ||caa|aj |ecri

BACKGRCMD
Thc planning boaru makcs kcy cnvironmcntal anu grovth uccisions
anu, as a rcsult, is ccntral in uctcrmining thc shapc of a community
anu its quality of lifc.
Thc planning boaru is compriscu of a combination of clcctcu
ofncials anu mcmbcrs, both citizcns anu govcrnmcntal ofncials, vho
arc appointcu by thc mayor anu council.
Thc planning boaru is rcsponsiblc for thc ucvclopmcnt of a mastcr
plan for a community anu for a rcvicv anu upuatc of thc plan at lcast
cvcry six ycars.
Thc mastcr plan proviucs a roau map for hov a community vill
grov, it auurcsscs qucstions such as vhat part of thc community
vill bc rcscrvcu for rcsiucnccs anu at vhat ucnsity lcvcl, anu in vhat
arcas commcrcial ucvclopmcnt vill bc pcrmittcu.
Thc planning boaru also has thc lcgal right if it vishcs to incluuc
in thc mastcr plan a sub-plan for conscrvation of thc tovn`s
cnvironmcnt anu opcn spaccs. Thc mastcr plan is a uocumcnt vith
tccth, zoning rcgulations must bc consistcnt vith thc mastcr plan.
Thc planning boaru also has thc rcsponsibility to rcvicv anu holu
public hcarings on proposals for ncv ucvclopmcnt.
Boarus arc mauc up of cithcr scvcn or ninc mcmbcrs. Thc
mcmbcrship consists of thc mayor or a mayoral ucsigncc, a mcmbcr
of thc council choscn by thc council, a municipal govcrnmcnt ofncial
choscn by thc mayor anu citizcn mcmbcrs usually appointcu by
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school. This uocs not mcan that thcy can uisrupt classroom
activity, but thcy cannot bc pcnalizcu for thcir vicvs.
30. Right Not to Be Strip Searched - Stuucnts cannot bc strip
scarchcu by school pcrsonncl (N.J.S.A. 18A: 3:2- 1).
31. Right to Due Process in ExpuIsion Proceedings - Stuucnts
subjcctcu to cxpulsion procccuings havc a right to proccuural
uuc proccss incluuing lcgal rcprcscntation (N.J.S.A. 18A: 3-6.1).




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thc mayor. Unucr somc forms of municipal govcrnmcnt, thc public
mcmbcrs of thc planning boaru arc appointcu by thc council.
Givcn that clcctcu ofncials anu pcoplc that arc appointcu by
clcctcu ofncials comprisc planning boarus, it is not surprising
that thc goals of thc tovn or city`s mastcr plan subjcct to political
inuucnccs. Citizcn action anu activity can absolutcly havc a major
impact on planning boaru uccisions anu can countcr hcavy lobbying
by ucvclopcrs anu othcr intcrcstcu partics.
ClllZEMS RlGHlS VllH RESPECl lC PLAMMlMG BCARDS
1. Right to Advance Notice of PIanning Board Meetings - Citizcns
havc thc right to aucquatc anu auvancc noticc of planning boaru
mcctings. Unucr thc opcn Public Vcctings Act, also knovn as
thc Sunshinc Iav, upon paymcnt of a small fcc, you arc cntitlcu
to a schcuulc of all thc rcgular hcaring uatcs of your planning
boarus. Thc fcc also cntitlcs you to rcccivc noticcs of spccial
mcctings. In auuition, thc schcuulc of mcctings is rcquircu to bc
postcu at Tovn Hall, anu if thc schcuulc is rcviscu, thc rcvisions
must bc postcu.
Unucr thc Vunicipal Ianu Usc Iav (Scction 4u:55D-12),
you arc cntitlcu to rcccivc ccrtincu mail or pcrsonally uclivcrcu
noticc of all major subuivisions, applications for conuitional
The planning board is responsibile for a uaster plan every six years which
provides a roaduap on how the couuunity will grow. Cititen action can have a
uajor iupact on planning boards decisions.
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usc approval anu ucvclopmcnt proposals vith varianccs if
your propcrty is locatcu vithin 2uu fcct of thc proposcu
ucvclopmcnt.
Unucr your local ucvclopmcnt rcgulations, you may bc
cntitlcu to noticc of major ucvclopmcnts vithout varianccs, but
only if your tovn`s ucvclopmcnt rcgulations rcquirc noticc. A
copy of thc ucvclopmcnt rcgulations for your community shoulu
bc availablc at tovn hall. Noticc must bc vrittcn in tcrms that
can bc unucrstoou by thc common layman.
2. Right to Examine DeveIopment Documents - Citizcns havc
thc right to cxaminc maps anu othcr ucvclopmcnt proposal
uocumcnts uuring normal busincss hours at thc ofncc of thc
clcrk or zoning ofnccr for at lcast tcn uays prior to thc hcaring
(Vunicipal Ianu Usc Iav Scction 4u:55D-1u(b)).
3. Right to Make Copies - Citizcns havc thc right to makc copics of
all uocumcnts anu forms that arc nlcu as part of thc ucvclopmcnt
application, mastcr plan or zoning proccss (Opcn Public Rccorus
Act). Plcasc notc that copying of architcct`s plans may bc subjcct
to ccrtain rcstrictions.
Copics shall cost $u.5 pcr pagc for thc nrst 1u pagcs,
$u.5u pcr pagc for thc ncxt 1u pagcs anu $u.25 pcr pagc for
all auuitional pagcs unlcss othcrvisc spccincu by lav (N.J.S.A.
4:1A-2). Somctimcs it is possiblc to gct copics at a lovcr cost.
4. Right to a PubIic Hearing - Citizcns havc thc right to a public
hcaring on all major ucvclopmcnt applications, only hcarings
on minor subuivisions anu sitc plans may bc cxcmpt (Vunicipal
Ianu Usc Scction 4u:55-1u (a)). All hcarings must bc conuuctcu in
accoruancc vith a sct of rulcs, vhich must bc auoptcu cach ycar
by thc planning boaru in cach tovn (Scc Scction 4u:55D-1u(b)).
5. Right to Ouestion the DeveIoper's Witnesses - Citizcns havc
thc right to qucstion thc ucvclopcr`s vitncsscs about thcir
tcstimony anu any rcports thcy havc submittcu (Vunicipal Ianu
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thc mayor. Unucr somc forms of municipal govcrnmcnt, thc public
mcmbcrs of thc planning boaru arc appointcu by thc council.
Givcn that clcctcu ofncials anu pcoplc that arc appointcu by
clcctcu ofncials comprisc planning boarus, it is not surprising
that thc goals of thc tovn or city`s mastcr plan subjcct to political
inuucnccs. Citizcn action anu activity can absolutcly havc a major
impact on planning boaru uccisions anu can countcr hcavy lobbying
by ucvclopcrs anu othcr intcrcstcu partics.
ClllZEMS RlGHlS VllH RESPECl lC PLAMMlMG BCARDS
1. Right to Advance Notice of PIanning Board Meetings - Citizcns
havc thc right to aucquatc anu auvancc noticc of planning boaru
mcctings. Unucr thc opcn Public Vcctings Act, also knovn as
thc Sunshinc Iav, upon paymcnt of a small fcc, you arc cntitlcu
to a schcuulc of all thc rcgular hcaring uatcs of your planning
boarus. Thc fcc also cntitlcs you to rcccivc noticcs of spccial
mcctings. In auuition, thc schcuulc of mcctings is rcquircu to bc
postcu at Tovn Hall, anu if thc schcuulc is rcviscu, thc rcvisions
must bc postcu.
Unucr thc Vunicipal Ianu Usc Iav (Scction 4u:55D-12),
you arc cntitlcu to rcccivc ccrtincu mail or pcrsonally uclivcrcu
noticc of all major subuivisions, applications for conuitional
The planning board is responsibile for a uaster plan every six years which
provides a roaduap on how the couuunity will grow. Cititen action can have a
uajor iupact on planning boards decisions.
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Usc Scction 4u:55D-1u(g)). Hovcvcr, thc boaru chairpcrson uocs
havc thc right to cut off rcpctitivc or irrclcvant qucstions.
6. Right to Testify About A Proposed DeveIopment - Citizcns
havc thc right to tcstify about thcir knovlcugc of a proposcu
ucvclopmcnt anu its rclationship to thc ncighborhoou (Vunicipal
Ianu Usc Iav Scction 4u:55D-1u(u)). Citizcns also havc thc right
to prcscnt cxpcrt tcstimony for or against an application. Thc
boaru chairpcrson has thc right to cut off rcpctitivc or irrclcvant
tcstimony.
7. Right to Hear PIanning Board Members' Reasons for Their
Decision - Citizcns prcscnt at public hcarings on ucvclopmcnt
applications havc thc right to hcar thc boaru mcmbcrs rcsolvc any
conuicting tcstimony or othcr cviucncc anu makc conclusions
as to vhy thc ucvclopmcnt mccts or fails to mcct thc critcria for
approval (Vunicipal Ianu Usc Iav Scction 4u:55D-1u(g)).
8. Right to Minutes and Transcripts - Citizcns havc thc right to
rcau anu obtain copics of thc minutcs of zoning anu planning
boaru mcctings (Vunicipal Ianu Usc Iav Scction 4u:55D-9(c )).
Citizcns also havc thc right to vcrbatim transcripts of hcarings
on ucvclopmcnt applications (Scction 4u:55- 1u(f)).
9. Right to a Written Decision - Citizcns havc thc right to a copy of
a vrittcn rcsolution sctting forth a uccision on any application
for a ucvclopmcnt. Thc uccision must statc thc rcasons vhy thc
boaru approvcu or ucnicu a ucvclopmcnt proposal (Vunicipal
Ianu Usc Iav (Scctions 4u:55D-1u(g) anu (h)).
10. Right to AppeaI - Citizcns havc thc right to appcal all uccisions
of thc boaru uircctly to Supcrior Court (Vunicipal Ianu Usc
Iav Scction 4u:55D-1). In most cascs, appcals must bc nlcu
vithin 45 uays of thc uatc of publication of thc boaru`s uccision.

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BACKGRCMD
Thc municipal political partics play a ccntral rolc in thc politics
anu govcrnmcnt of most Ncv Jcrscy communitics. Political partics
sclcct anu nominatc canuiuatcs for council anu mayor anu proviuc
grassroots rcprcscntation through thc ofncc of committcc mcmbcr
- a ncighborhoou lcvcl clcctcu party position. Fvcn in citics anu
tovns that clcct thcir municipal ofncials in a non-partisan manncr,
in vhich canuiuatcs arc not iucntincu on thc ballot by thcir party
afnliation, political partics still ncarly alvays play a major informal
rolc. In most Ncv Jcrscy local clcctions, thc local political partics
organizc, run anu proviuc most of thc funuing for local clcction
campaigns. Diffcrcnccs on issucs bctvccn mcmbcrs of thc council
or bctvccn thc council anu thc mayor, morc oftcn than not, rcucct
party uiffcrcnccs.
Whilc thcrc havc bccn somc cfforts to organizc thiru partics at thc
local lcvcl, for nov at lcast, thc tvo major national anu statc partics
- thc Dcmocratic anu Rcpublican partics - havc a ncar monopoly
in Ncv Jcrscy communitics. Hovcvcr, somc gains in thiru party
organizations havc bccn mauc by thc Grccn Party, thc Rcform Party
anu othcrs.
Political partics, particularly at thc local lcvcl, arc largcly unknovn
forccs, yct to thosc vho arc knovlcugcablc, thcy arc viuc opcn
to citizcn participation anu inuucncc. Citizcns can bccomc activc
in thc political party of thcir choicc by running to rcprcscnt thcir
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Usc Scction 4u:55D-1u(g)). Hovcvcr, thc boaru chairpcrson uocs
havc thc right to cut off rcpctitivc or irrclcvant qucstions.
6. Right to Testify About A Proposed DeveIopment - Citizcns
havc thc right to tcstify about thcir knovlcugc of a proposcu
ucvclopmcnt anu its rclationship to thc ncighborhoou (Vunicipal
Ianu Usc Iav Scction 4u:55D-1u(u)). Citizcns also havc thc right
to prcscnt cxpcrt tcstimony for or against an application. Thc
boaru chairpcrson has thc right to cut off rcpctitivc or irrclcvant
tcstimony.
7. Right to Hear PIanning Board Members' Reasons for Their
Decision - Citizcns prcscnt at public hcarings on ucvclopmcnt
applications havc thc right to hcar thc boaru mcmbcrs rcsolvc any
conuicting tcstimony or othcr cviucncc anu makc conclusions
as to vhy thc ucvclopmcnt mccts or fails to mcct thc critcria for
approval (Vunicipal Ianu Usc Iav Scction 4u:55D-1u(g)).
8. Right to Minutes and Transcripts - Citizcns havc thc right to
rcau anu obtain copics of thc minutcs of zoning anu planning
boaru mcctings (Vunicipal Ianu Usc Iav Scction 4u:55D-9(c )).
Citizcns also havc thc right to vcrbatim transcripts of hcarings
on ucvclopmcnt applications (Scction 4u:55- 1u(f)).
9. Right to a Written Decision - Citizcns havc thc right to a copy of
a vrittcn rcsolution sctting forth a uccision on any application
for a ucvclopmcnt. Thc uccision must statc thc rcasons vhy thc
boaru approvcu or ucnicu a ucvclopmcnt proposal (Vunicipal
Ianu Usc Iav (Scctions 4u:55D-1u(g) anu (h)).
10. Right to AppeaI - Citizcns havc thc right to appcal all uccisions
of thc boaru uircctly to Supcrior Court (Vunicipal Ianu Usc
Iav Scction 4u:55D-1). In most cascs, appcals must bc nlcu
vithin 45 uays of thc uatc of publication of thc boaru`s uccision.

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ncighborhoou as a committccpcrson, voluntccring on clcction
campaigns or running to bc thc party`s nomincc for mayor or council
in a primary, to namc just a fcv possiblc avcnucs of participation.
Bccoming activc in local political partics is an cxccllcnt vay to
inuucncc thc quality of govcrnmcnt in a community.
This chaptcr proviucs a comprchcnsivc list of citizcns` right for
cach povcr ccntcr- thc clcctcu council or committcc, school boaru
anu thc hiuucn povcr ccntcr, thc local political partics. Auuitional
backgrounu on thc povcr ccntcrs thcmsclvcs is also proviucu.
ClllZEMS RlGHlS REGARDlMG lHE PCLlllCAL PARllES
1. Right to Join a PoIiticaI Party - Citizcns havc thc right to join
thc political party of thcir choicc. Partics arc not cxclusivc clubs
- thcy arc opcn to any citizcn that vants to bccomc a mcmbcr.
In Ncv Jcrscy onc bccomcs a mcmbcr of a political party in
onc of thc folloving tvo vays: 1) voting in thc primary clcction
of that party, 2) nling vith thc municipal clcrk or thc county
commissioncr of rcgistration a signcu ucclaration that hc/shc
ucsircs to votc in thc primary of that party. Thc municipal
clcrk anu thc county commissioncr of rcgistration vill havc
thc appropriatc form that nccus to bc nllcu-out. A citizcn
automatically rcmains a mcmbcr of that political party unlcss
shc nlcs a signcu ucclaration saying that shc ucsircs to votc in
thc primary of anothcr political party or that shc vants to bc
listcu on thc voting rolls as an inucpcnucnt (N.J.S.A. 19:23-45).
2. Right to SeIect the Party of Your Choice's Candidates -
Citizcns havc thc right to votc in party primarics in vhich thc
party`s canuiuatcs for council anu mayor arc sclcctcu along
vith ncighborhoou lcvcl committcc-pcoplc. Onc can votc in a
party primary if onc has alrcauy bccomc a mcmbcr of thc party
by voting in a prcvious primary or if onc has ncvcr votcu in a
primary bcforc. If a Dcmocrat ucciucs that hc prcfcrs to votc in
thc Rcpublican party, hc must changc party afnliation by nling
a form vith thc municipal clcrk or thc county commissioncr
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of rcgistration (NJSA 19:23-4.5). Thc casicst vay to uo this is
to go to thc municipal clcrk`s ofncc inpcrson anu nll out thc
corrcct form.
A limitation on thc practicc of this right occurs in local
clcctions particularly. Thc ofncial party organization rccommcnus
canuiuatcs, anu thcsc canuiuatcs arc oftcn unchallcngcu in
primarics.
A furthcr limitation occurs in communitics that havc non-
partisan clcctions, vhcrc thcrc arc no primarics for municipal
ofnccs. To nnu out vhcthcr your community has partisan
clcctions in vhich thcrc arc local primarics or non-partisan
clcctions, call tovn/city hall anu ask thc municipal clcrk.
3. Right to a BiIinguaI SampIe BaIIot - Citizcns in uistricts in vhich
Spanish is thc primary languagc of 1u or morc of rcgistcrcu
votcrs havc thc right to a bilingual samplc ballot for thc primary
(N.J.S.A. 19-22.23.4). Samplc ballots, vhich by lav must bc
mailcu out to votcrs bcforc thc primary anu bc a rcasonablc
facsimilc of thc actual ballot in thc voting booth, allov votcrs
to familiarizc thcmsclvcs vith thc ballot. This can cut uovn on
balloting mistakcs.
4. Right to FoIIow the Money - Citizcns in Ncv Jcrscy, rcgarulcss
of vhcthcr thcy arc mcmbcrs of a particular political party,
havc thc right to knov thc iucntity of party contributors vho
givc $4uu or morc. Vunicipal political partics must rcport thcir
contributions anu cxpcnuiturcs quartcrly to thc Ncv Jcrscy
Flcction Fnforccmcnt Commission (FIFC) (N.J.S.A. 19:44-8).
Thcsc rcports can bc vicvcu at thc FIFC ofnccs, 28 Statc Strcct
in Trcnton, or citizcns can orucr copics of thc rcports for a fcc.
5. Right to Run to Be the Party's Nominee for LocaI Ofce - In
municipalitics that conuuct partisan clcctions, citizcns havc
thc right to run for thcir party`s nomination for council or
mayor. Thc only rcquircmcnts arc party mcmbcrship, rcsiucncy
anu gathcring thc rcquircu numbcr of signaturcs of citizcns
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ncighborhoou as a committccpcrson, voluntccring on clcction
campaigns or running to bc thc party`s nomincc for mayor or council
in a primary, to namc just a fcv possiblc avcnucs of participation.
Bccoming activc in local political partics is an cxccllcnt vay to
inuucncc thc quality of govcrnmcnt in a community.
This chaptcr proviucs a comprchcnsivc list of citizcns` right for
cach povcr ccntcr- thc clcctcu council or committcc, school boaru
anu thc hiuucn povcr ccntcr, thc local political partics. Auuitional
backgrounu on thc povcr ccntcrs thcmsclvcs is also proviucu.
ClllZEMS RlGHlS REGARDlMG lHE PCLlllCAL PARllES
1. Right to Join a PoIiticaI Party - Citizcns havc thc right to join
thc political party of thcir choicc. Partics arc not cxclusivc clubs
- thcy arc opcn to any citizcn that vants to bccomc a mcmbcr.
In Ncv Jcrscy onc bccomcs a mcmbcr of a political party in
onc of thc folloving tvo vays: 1) voting in thc primary clcction
of that party, 2) nling vith thc municipal clcrk or thc county
commissioncr of rcgistration a signcu ucclaration that hc/shc
ucsircs to votc in thc primary of that party. Thc municipal
clcrk anu thc county commissioncr of rcgistration vill havc
thc appropriatc form that nccus to bc nllcu-out. A citizcn
automatically rcmains a mcmbcr of that political party unlcss
shc nlcs a signcu ucclaration saying that shc ucsircs to votc in
thc primary of anothcr political party or that shc vants to bc
listcu on thc voting rolls as an inucpcnucnt (N.J.S.A. 19:23-45).
2. Right to SeIect the Party of Your Choice's Candidates -
Citizcns havc thc right to votc in party primarics in vhich thc
party`s canuiuatcs for council anu mayor arc sclcctcu along
vith ncighborhoou lcvcl committcc-pcoplc. Onc can votc in a
party primary if onc has alrcauy bccomc a mcmbcr of thc party
by voting in a prcvious primary or if onc has ncvcr votcu in a
primary bcforc. If a Dcmocrat ucciucs that hc prcfcrs to votc in
thc Rcpublican party, hc must changc party afnliation by nling
a form vith thc municipal clcrk or thc county commissioncr
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on a nominating pctition (N.J.S.A. 19:23-). Ior municipalitics
vith a population of 14,uuu or grcatcr, a canuiuatc must gct
5u signaturcs of party mcmbcrs, municipalitics vith lcss than
14,uuu pcoplc only rcquirc 25 signaturcs ( N.J.S.A. 19:23-8). To
assist in signaturc gathcring cfforts, lists of rcgistcrcu votcrs
vith party iucntincation can bc purchascu from thc tovn or
county clcrk. To cnsurc that a nominating pctition can vithstanu
lcgal challcngc, it is usually a goou iuca to gathcr signincantly
ovcr thc rcquircu numbcr - 2u ovcr is a goou rulc of thumb.
This vay your pctitions can vithstanu any lcgal challcngc. In
many cascs political partics arc looking for canuiuatcs to run
for thcsc ofnccs, so it makcs scnsc to cxprcss your intcrcst to
thc party chair. If thcy arc alrcauy supporting anothcr canuiuatc,
uon`t bc uiscouragcu. Vany primarics arc von by thc canuiuatc
vho uocs not havc thc ofncial support of thc party lcaucrs.
6. Right to Run with Like-minded PeopIe as Part of a SIate -
Canuiuatcs vho arc running in a primary havc thc right to bc
groupcu togcthcr as a slatc (N.J.S.A. 19:23- 25). Ior cxamplc,
citizcns running for council in a Dcmocratic primary coulu
ucciuc to run togcthcr unucr thc Ncv Dcmocrat slogan or thc
Dcmocrats for Changc slogan to namc a couplc of possibilitics.
Thcy voulu bc groupcu togcthcr on thc primary ballot unucr
thcir choscn slogan. To brackct vith othcr canuiuatcs, obtain
anu nll out a brackcting pcrmission form from thc tovn clcrk.
7. Right to Run to Represent Your Neighborhood as a Party
Representative, TechnicaIIy CaIIed a Committee Member -
Citizcns in all Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc thc right to run
to rcprcscnt thcir ncighborhoou as a party committcc mcmbcr.
Thc ofncc of committccpcrsons is thc only gcnucr-balanccu
ofncc rcquircu by statutc (N.J.S.A. 19:5-3). Vunicipalitics arc
uiviucu into clcction uistricts of uu to 1uuu rcgistcrcu votcrs. In
cach clcction uistrict, thc major partics arc rcprcscntcu by tvo
committcc mcmbcrs, onc malc, onc fcmalc, clcctcu by thc party
mcmbcrs annually uuring thc Junc primary. Committcc mcmbcrs
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can havc a voicc in thc sclcction of thc party`s rccommcnucu
slatc of canuiuatcs anu a say in othcr party mattcrs. To run for
committcc, onc only has to bc a rcsiucnt of thc clcction uistrict,
a party mcmbcr anu gathcr 1u signaturcs of mcmbcrs of thcir
party vho rcsiuc in thc clcction uistrict on a nominating pction.
This numbcr bc as lov as onc in arcas vith lov votcr turnout!
Chcck vith thc County Boaru of Flcction to vcrify thc numbcr of
signaturcs rcquircu in your uistrict. Iocal committcc mcmbcrs
arc automatically county committcc mcmbcrs as vcll. A list of
committcc mcmbcrs anu any vacancics can bc obtaincu from
thc municipal clcrk.
RlGHlS CF PARlY CCMMlllEE MEMBERS
8. Right to View MunicipaI Party FinanciaI Records - In thc six-
uay pcriou bctvccn thc primary anu thc annual municipal
mccting manuatcu by lav on thc Vonuay folloving thc primary,
committcc pcoplc havc thc right to cxaminc thc nnancial
rccorus of thc municipal committcc. Information must bc
supplicu 48 hours aftcr a rcqucst is mauc (N.J.S.A. 19:5-2.1). If a
committccpcrson vants to vicv thc rccorus, it is important that
thcy makc thc rcqucst immcuiatcly folloving thc primary givcn
thc bricf timclinc.
9. Right to Vote for Chair and Vice-Chair of the MunicipaI
Committee - Committcc mcmbcrs votc for thc chair anu vicc-
chair of thc municipal committcc at thc annual mccting. Thc
vicc-chair is choscn from among thc mcmbcrs of thc municipal
committcc anu uo not nccu to bc thc oppositc gcnucr of thc
chair (N.J.S.A 19:5.2).
10. Right to Propose and Vote Upon the Adoption or Amendment
of a Party Constitution and ByIaws - Committcc-pcoplc havc thc
right to rccommcnu that thc municipal party committcc auopt a
constitution anu by-lavs. Statc lav cxplicitly statcs that municipal
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on a nominating pctition (N.J.S.A. 19:23-). Ior municipalitics
vith a population of 14,uuu or grcatcr, a canuiuatc must gct
5u signaturcs of party mcmbcrs, municipalitics vith lcss than
14,uuu pcoplc only rcquirc 25 signaturcs ( N.J.S.A. 19:23-8). To
assist in signaturc gathcring cfforts, lists of rcgistcrcu votcrs
vith party iucntincation can bc purchascu from thc tovn or
county clcrk. To cnsurc that a nominating pctition can vithstanu
lcgal challcngc, it is usually a goou iuca to gathcr signincantly
ovcr thc rcquircu numbcr - 2u ovcr is a goou rulc of thumb.
This vay your pctitions can vithstanu any lcgal challcngc. In
many cascs political partics arc looking for canuiuatcs to run
for thcsc ofnccs, so it makcs scnsc to cxprcss your intcrcst to
thc party chair. If thcy arc alrcauy supporting anothcr canuiuatc,
uon`t bc uiscouragcu. Vany primarics arc von by thc canuiuatc
vho uocs not havc thc ofncial support of thc party lcaucrs.
6. Right to Run with Like-minded PeopIe as Part of a SIate -
Canuiuatcs vho arc running in a primary havc thc right to bc
groupcu togcthcr as a slatc (N.J.S.A. 19:23- 25). Ior cxamplc,
citizcns running for council in a Dcmocratic primary coulu
ucciuc to run togcthcr unucr thc Ncv Dcmocrat slogan or thc
Dcmocrats for Changc slogan to namc a couplc of possibilitics.
Thcy voulu bc groupcu togcthcr on thc primary ballot unucr
thcir choscn slogan. To brackct vith othcr canuiuatcs, obtain
anu nll out a brackcting pcrmission form from thc tovn clcrk.
7. Right to Run to Represent Your Neighborhood as a Party
Representative, TechnicaIIy CaIIed a Committee Member -
Citizcns in all Ncv Jcrscy communitics havc thc right to run
to rcprcscnt thcir ncighborhoou as a party committcc mcmbcr.
Thc ofncc of committccpcrsons is thc only gcnucr-balanccu
ofncc rcquircu by statutc (N.J.S.A. 19:5-3). Vunicipalitics arc
uiviucu into clcction uistricts of uu to 1uuu rcgistcrcu votcrs. In
cach clcction uistrict, thc major partics arc rcprcscntcu by tvo
committcc mcmbcrs, onc malc, onc fcmalc, clcctcu by thc party
mcmbcrs annually uuring thc Junc primary. Committcc mcmbcrs
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party committccs can auopt constitutions anu by-lavs to govcrn
thcir affairs (N.J.S.A. 19:5-2). Thc constitution anu by-lavs, for
cxamplc, can proviuc that thc party-cnuorscu canuiuatcs arc to
bc choscn by a majority votc of thc committcc- pcoplc unucr an
opcn anu fair proccuurc for canuiuatc rcvicv. Othcr provisions
can givc thc povcr to committccpcrsons to votc upon lcvcls
of local campaign spcnuing anu on rccommcnuations for non-
clcctcu govcrnmcntal posts.


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Ncv Jcrscy is homc to immigrants from all ovcr thc vorlu anu many
havc yct to bccomc citizcns. Non-citizcns cannot votc in fcucral, statc
or local clcctions nor can thcy run for ofncc, but thcrc arc still many
vays thcy can participatc. Ior cxamplc, non-citizcns havc thc right
to attcnu anu bc hcaru at mcctings of thc local povcr ccntcrs anu
havc thc right to information such as public rccorus. Non-citizcns can
voluntccr on political campaigns anu participatc in non-pront groups.
Still, to complctcly participatc in our ucmocracy, it is important to
gain citizcnship. Somc of thc basic rcquircmcnts incluuc: (1) lavful
pcrmancnt rcsiucncc in thc Unitcu Statcs for at lcast 5 ycars (2) thc
ability to vritc, spcak anu unucrstanu basic Fnglish (3) passing an
cxam on US history anu govcrnmcnt.
To apply for citizcnship, nll out INS form N-4uu. This form can bc
obtaincu by calling thc INS at 1-8uu-8u-366 or from thc Intcrnct at
vvv.ins.gov/graphics/formsfcc/forms/ n-4uu.htm.
Information on hov to bccomc a citizcn anu othcr immigration
issucs can bc founu on thc INS vcb sitc, vvv.INS.gov.
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party committccs can auopt constitutions anu by-lavs to govcrn
thcir affairs (N.J.S.A. 19:5-2). Thc constitution anu by-lavs, for
cxamplc, can proviuc that thc party-cnuorscu canuiuatcs arc to
bc choscn by a majority votc of thc committcc- pcoplc unucr an
opcn anu fair proccuurc for canuiuatc rcvicv. Othcr provisions
can givc thc povcr to committccpcrsons to votc upon lcvcls
of local campaign spcnuing anu on rccommcnuations for non-
clcctcu govcrnmcntal posts.


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!BBOTT$ISTRICTS
Thc tcrm Abbott District rcfcrs to a Ncv Jcrscy school uistrict
that has rcccivcu incrcascu statc funuing as a rcsult of a scrics of
Ncv Jcrscy Suprcmc Court uccisions. Bccausc of thc history of a
uisparity in spcnuing pcr pupil bctvccn Abbott schools anu othcr
uistricts, thcsc school uistricts - mainly consisting of urban schools
vith a high pcrccntagc of lov incomc anu minority stuucnts - must
unucrgo a statc approvcu vholc school rcform plan to makc both
curricular anu physical improvcmcnts.
!BSENTEE"ALLOT
Abscntcc ballots arc uscu to cast a votc for rcgistcrcu votcrs cannot
votc at thcir ucsignatcu polling placc on Flcction Day. Abscntcc
ballots arc uiviucu into tvo catcgorics: military anu civilian. To apply
for an abscntcc ballot or to obtain rcquircmcnts to votc abscntcc,
contact thc county or municipal clcrk`s ofncc by mail uo later tbau
aa)s before tbe electiou or iu persou b) 3 pm tbe aa) before
tbe electiou
!LDERMANOR7ARD#OUNCIL0ERSON
An Alucrman is a mcmbcr of thc municipal lcgislativc bouy, vhcthcr
it is a Boaru of Alucrmcn or thc City Council. Vany mcuium to
largc sizcu municipalitics arc uiviucu into varus, rcprcscntcu by an
Alucrman or Waru Councilmcmbcr.
!T,ARGE%LECTION
An clcction hclu at largc` is onc in vhich thc vholc bouy of votcrs
votc as onc clcctoral uistrict for thc clcction of all thc mcmbcrs of a
rcprcscntativc govcrnmcnt bouy.
#HARTER
A chartcr is a uocumcnt or orucr that incorporatcs an institution
anu cstablishcs its povcrs. Ior instancc, a city chartcr cstablishcs
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thc lavs, povcrs anu organization grantcu to a city by thc statc
lcgislaturc. Smallcr govcrning bouics, such municipal boarus anu
commissions arc crcatcu through chartcrs as vcll. An institution
crcatcu by a chartcr is subjcct to both its bylavs anu thosc of thc
largcr govcrning bouy through vhich it is cstablishcu.
#ITIZEN
A citizcn is a nativc or naturalizcu mcmbcr of a statc or othcr
political community anu cntitlcu to thc full lcgal anu civil rights of
that community. In thc Unitcu Statcs, a citizcn is cntitlcu to votc
(at thc agc of 18) anu run for political ofncc. Non-citizcns can gain
thcsc rights by applying for citizcnship givcn thcy mcct thc basic
rcquircmcnts for naturalizcu citizcnship incluuing lavful rcsiucncc
in thc Unitcu Statcs for at lcast 5 ycars, thc ability to rcau anu vritc
basic Fnglish, anu passing a citizcnship cxam on U.S. history anu
govcrnmcnt.
#ITY#LERK
Thc City or Tovnship Clcrk is thc rccorus custouian for most
municipal govcrnmcnt uocumcnts. This incluucs nnancial rccorus,
clcction information, vital rccorus, city council minutcs anu agcnuas,
oruinanccs, committcc rcports, ctc. Rcqucsts for public govcrnmcnt
rccorus anu othcr city or tovnship rclatcu inquirics can bc submittcu
to thc clcrk`s ofncc.
#ITY#OUNCIL
Thc City or Tovnship Council, somctimcs callcu thc Committcc, is
thc main lcgislativc bouy of municipal govcrnmcnt. Councils can
consist of 3 to 9 mcmbcrs anu arc clcctcu uuring thc gcncral clcction.
Thc council is rcsponsiblc for kcy tax, buugct, anu policy uccisions
in thc community, as vcll as local roaus anu scrviccs. Vcmbcrs of thc
council can bc clcctcu at largc or by varu.
#IVIC
Thc voru civic rcfcrs to mattcrs of, rclating to, or bcntting citizcns
as inuiviuuals. Civic lifc is thc public lifc of thc citizcn conccrncu
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vith thc affairs of thc community anu nation, as contrastcu vith
privatc or pcrsonal lifc, vhich is ucvotcu to thc pursuit of privatc
anu pcrsonal intcrcsts.
#OUNTY"OARDOF%LECTIONS
Thc County Boaru of Flcctions is rcsponsiblc for votcr anu clcction
information anu matcrials. Amongst thc Boaru`s rcsponsibilitics arc
thc supcrvision of votcr rcgistration, maintcnancc of cligiblc votcr
rccorus, thc provision of voting machincs, anu thc scttlcmcnt of
clcction-rclatcu uisputcs anu controvcrsics. Thc County Boaru of
Flcctions is composcu of four commissioncrs - tvo Dcmocrats anu
tvo Rcpublicans -vho arc appointcu by thc Govcrnor.
#OUNTY%XECUTIVE
Thc ofncc of County Fxccutivc is an clcctcu position vhich scrvcs
thc samc basic functions anu purposcs as a Vayor, but at thc county
lcvcl. Thc County Fxccutivc is chargcu vith thc major auministrativc
anu political rolcs anu rcsponsibilitics for thc county, incluuing thc
appointmcnt anu hiring of county ofncials anu cmployccs, cnforcing
thc county chartcr, prcparing thc county buugct, ctc.
%LECTION$ISTRICT
An clcction uistrict is a portion of a municipality, consisting of
about uu-1uuu rcgistcrcu votcrs, anu rcprcscntcu by 4 local party
rcprcscntativcs - onc malc anu fcmalc Rcpublican anu onc malc anu
fcmalc Dcmocrat.
%LECTORAL0RIMARIES
A primary clcction is vhcn thc canuiuatcs ucsignatcu to rcprcscnt
thc tvo major political partics in thc gcncral clcction arc sclcctcu.
Primary clcctions cxist for cach govcrnmcnt clcction - local, statc,
anu national - anu uctcrminc vhich canuiuatc vill rcccivc thc party`s
ofncial cnuorscmcnt. Iocal primarics arc hclu thc nrst Tucsuay aftcr
thc nrst Vonuay in Junc. To votc in a primary, your party afnliation
must match that of thc canuiuatc for vhom you arc voting. If onc
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thc lavs, povcrs anu organization grantcu to a city by thc statc
lcgislaturc. Smallcr govcrning bouics, such municipal boarus anu
commissions arc crcatcu through chartcrs as vcll. An institution
crcatcu by a chartcr is subjcct to both its bylavs anu thosc of thc
largcr govcrning bouy through vhich it is cstablishcu.
#ITIZEN
A citizcn is a nativc or naturalizcu mcmbcr of a statc or othcr
political community anu cntitlcu to thc full lcgal anu civil rights of
that community. In thc Unitcu Statcs, a citizcn is cntitlcu to votc
(at thc agc of 18) anu run for political ofncc. Non-citizcns can gain
thcsc rights by applying for citizcnship givcn thcy mcct thc basic
rcquircmcnts for naturalizcu citizcnship incluuing lavful rcsiucncc
in thc Unitcu Statcs for at lcast 5 ycars, thc ability to rcau anu vritc
basic Fnglish, anu passing a citizcnship cxam on U.S. history anu
govcrnmcnt.
#ITY#LERK
Thc City or Tovnship Clcrk is thc rccorus custouian for most
municipal govcrnmcnt uocumcnts. This incluucs nnancial rccorus,
clcction information, vital rccorus, city council minutcs anu agcnuas,
oruinanccs, committcc rcports, ctc. Rcqucsts for public govcrnmcnt
rccorus anu othcr city or tovnship rclatcu inquirics can bc submittcu
to thc clcrk`s ofncc.
#ITY#OUNCIL
Thc City or Tovnship Council, somctimcs callcu thc Committcc, is
thc main lcgislativc bouy of municipal govcrnmcnt. Councils can
consist of 3 to 9 mcmbcrs anu arc clcctcu uuring thc gcncral clcction.
Thc council is rcsponsiblc for kcy tax, buugct, anu policy uccisions
in thc community, as vcll as local roaus anu scrviccs. Vcmbcrs of thc
council can bc clcctcu at largc or by varu.
#IVIC
Thc voru civic rcfcrs to mattcrs of, rclating to, or bcntting citizcns
as inuiviuuals. Civic lifc is thc public lifc of thc citizcn conccrncu
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vishcs to votc for a canuiuatc not of thcir party, thcy must nlc a changc
of party afnliation form vith thc municipal clcrk bcforc voting for
thc canuiuatc. This form can bc obtaincu at vvv.statc.nj.us/lps/
clcctions/partics_uoc.html
&AULKNER!CT
Thc Iaulkncr Act, or Optional Vunicipal Chartcr Iav, cstablishcs a
structurc by vhich citizcns may auopt a formal structurc of municipal
govcrnmcnt. Thc Iaulkncr Act plans favor an cxccutivc ofncc
(Vayor or Council Vanagcr/Auministrator). An important fcaturc of
thc Iaulkncr Act is that it offcrs an initiativc anu rcfcrcnuum (scc
bclov) proccss for placing an issuc on thc ballot, as vcll as a proccss
for rccalling clcctcu ofncials from public ofncc.
&REEHOLDER
Thc 21 countics of Ncv Jcrscy arc all govcrncu by a Boaru of Choscn
Irccholucrs. This boaru, consisting of thrcc to ninc mcmbcrs, is
rcsponsiblc for policy uccisions anu scrviccs rclatcu to thc govcrning
of thc county. This incluucs roaus anu briugcs, policy, cmcrgcncy
scrviccs, parks anu rccrcation systcms, anu public hcalth systcms that
arc ucsignatcu as county facilitics. Irccholucrs arc clcctcu at large
'OVERNMENT2ECORDS#OUNCIL
Thc Govcrnmcnt Rccorus Council (GRC) vas crcatcu by thc Opcn
Public Rccorus Act (OPRA) to facilitatc thc provision of public
rccorus as manuatcu by OPRA. Thc GRC is mainly rcsponsiblc for
cuucating thc public about OPRA anu fulnlling inquirics mauc by
thc public or rccorus custouians, in auuition to aiuing in thc rcscarch
of anu mcuiating uisputcs about acccss to govcrnmcnt rccorus. Ior
morc information about thc GRC, visit thcir vcbsitc at vvv.nj.gov/
grc or call thcir toll-frcc hotlinc at 1-866-85u-u511.
(OMERULE
Homc rulc rcfcrs to thc transfcrcncc of povcr by thc statc to
local govcrnmcnts in thc rcgulation of municipal lanu usc. This
trauition has scvcral important implications bcyonu thc location
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of ncv ucvclopmcnts such as municipal taxcs, migration bctvccn
communitics, cmploymcnt, anu cnvironmcntal issucs.

)NITIATIVEAND2EFERENDUM
Initiativc anu Rcfcrcnuum (I&R) is thc proccss through vhich
citizcns may placc or rcmovc qucstions on thc clcctoral ballot. Fach
itcm on a ballot that is not a canuiuatc is callcu a ballot mcasurc.
Ballot mcasurcs arc issucs offcrcu for public consiucration anu
auoption through thc clcctoral proccss. Ballot mcasurcs that vin
a majority votc by thc voting public arc auoptcu as tovn or statc
policy. Citizcns may auu qucstions to thc ballot through a pctition-
lcu initiativc or rcjcct lavs anu amcnumcnts, as proposcu by clcctcu
ofncials, through a rcfcrcnuum. 21 of Ncv Jcrscy`s municipalitics
arc govcrncu by thc Iaulkncr Act, vhich allovs for I&R in tovns
across thc statc.
,OCAL0OLITICAL0ARTY2EPRESENTATIVE
Also knovn as a party committccpcrson, local political party
rcprcscntativcs scrvc on local chaptcrs of thc national party
committccs. Fach committccpcrson rcprcscnts anu clcction uistrict
consisting of uu-1uuu rcgistcrcu votcrs. Party rcprcscntativcs
may scrvc as conuuits bctvccn thc public anu local govcrnmcnt
anu cnuorsc party canuiuatcs for political ofnccs. Thc position of
committcc pcrson is thc only gcnucr-balanccu ofncc by lav - nfty
pcrccnt of thc committcc scats arc rcscrvcu for mcn anu nfty pcrccnt
of thc scats arc rcscrvcu for vomcn. This position is also thc only
automatic uual ofncc - local party committccpcrsons automatically
scrvc as county committccpcrsons as vcll.
-ASTER0LAN
Thc mastcr plan is a uocumcnt that ucscribcs a municipality`s ovcrall
physical ucvclopmcnt. Consisting of both narrativc anu maps, thc
mastcr plan uctcrmincs thc physical lanuscapc of a city or tovn,
as vcll as its futurc grovth. Housing, school anu govcrnmcnt
facilitics, rctail anu busincss, parks anu rccrcation, anu roaus anu
transportation infrastructurc arc all incluucu in thc mastcr plan. By
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vishcs to votc for a canuiuatc not of thcir party, thcy must nlc a changc
of party afnliation form vith thc municipal clcrk bcforc voting for
thc canuiuatc. This form can bc obtaincu at vvv.statc.nj.us/lps/
clcctions/partics_uoc.html
&AULKNER!CT
Thc Iaulkncr Act, or Optional Vunicipal Chartcr Iav, cstablishcs a
structurc by vhich citizcns may auopt a formal structurc of municipal
govcrnmcnt. Thc Iaulkncr Act plans favor an cxccutivc ofncc
(Vayor or Council Vanagcr/Auministrator). An important fcaturc of
thc Iaulkncr Act is that it offcrs an initiativc anu rcfcrcnuum (scc
bclov) proccss for placing an issuc on thc ballot, as vcll as a proccss
for rccalling clcctcu ofncials from public ofncc.
&REEHOLDER
Thc 21 countics of Ncv Jcrscy arc all govcrncu by a Boaru of Choscn
Irccholucrs. This boaru, consisting of thrcc to ninc mcmbcrs, is
rcsponsiblc for policy uccisions anu scrviccs rclatcu to thc govcrning
of thc county. This incluucs roaus anu briugcs, policy, cmcrgcncy
scrviccs, parks anu rccrcation systcms, anu public hcalth systcms that
arc ucsignatcu as county facilitics. Irccholucrs arc clcctcu at large
'OVERNMENT2ECORDS#OUNCIL
Thc Govcrnmcnt Rccorus Council (GRC) vas crcatcu by thc Opcn
Public Rccorus Act (OPRA) to facilitatc thc provision of public
rccorus as manuatcu by OPRA. Thc GRC is mainly rcsponsiblc for
cuucating thc public about OPRA anu fulnlling inquirics mauc by
thc public or rccorus custouians, in auuition to aiuing in thc rcscarch
of anu mcuiating uisputcs about acccss to govcrnmcnt rccorus. Ior
morc information about thc GRC, visit thcir vcbsitc at vvv.nj.gov/
grc or call thcir toll-frcc hotlinc at 1-866-85u-u511.
(OMERULE
Homc rulc rcfcrs to thc transfcrcncc of povcr by thc statc to
local govcrnmcnts in thc rcgulation of municipal lanu usc. This
trauition has scvcral important implications bcyonu thc location
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lav, thc planning boaru is rcquircu to rcvisc or rcauopt thc mastcr
plan at lcast cvcry six ycars, but havc thc authority to altcr thc plan
morc frcqucntly.

-AYOR
Thc Vayor is thc ofncial clcctcu or appointcu' to act as chicf cxccutivc
or nominal hcau of a city, tovn, or borough. Working closcly vith thc
City council, thc Vayor is rcsponsiblc for uccisions conccrning thc
gcncral auministration of city govcrnmcnt anu scrviccs, incluuing
sctting policy, proviuing managcmcnt for local govcrnmcnt agcncics,
anu scrving thc nccus of thc gcncral public
-EETING!GENDA
Thc mccting agcnua uctcrmincs vhat issucs vill bc consiucrcu by
thc govcrnmcnt bouy - council, school boaru, ctc. - anu in vhat
orucr thcsc issucs vill bc rcvicvcu. Both council mcmbcrs anu
citizcns may proposc to placc an itcm on thc mccting agcnua.
Agcnua itcms can bc passcu by rcsolution of thc boaru or formally
auoptcu through a local oruinancc.
-UNICIPALITY
A municipality is an urban political unit having corporatc status
anu povcrs of sclf-govcrnmcnt. Iikc statc anu national lcvcl
govcrnmcnts, municipalitics havc cxccutivc, lcgislativc, anu juuicial
ofnccs anu arc rcsponsiblc for proviuing many public scrviccs for
thc citizcns vithin thc community.
/PEN0UBLIC-EETINGS!CT
Thc Opcn Public Vccting Act is a lav that rcquircs that all mcctings
of municipal govcrning bouics bc opcn anu acccssiblc to thc public.
A mccting gcncrally incluucs any situation in vhich a majority of
thc council or othcr govcrning bouy (incluuing ccrtain kinus of
committccs) mccts anu uiscusscs thc busincss of that bouy. In orucr
to bc valiu, oruinanccs, rcsolutions, rulcs, rcgulations, orucrs, anu
uircctivcs must bc auoptcu at public mcctings. Thc Act contains
spccinc provisions rcgaruing: rcgular anu spccial mcctings, cxccutivc
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scssions, typcs of noticc vhich must bc givcn, vhcrc mcctings may
bc hclu, conuuct of mcctings, minutcs, anu pcnaltics anu rcmcuics
for violation of thc statutcs.
/PEN0UBLIC2ECORDS!CT
As a complimcnt to thc Opcn Public Vcctings Act, thc Opcn Public
Rccorus Act of 2uu1 proviucs acccss to non-connucntial or litigious
govcrnmcnt rccorus for public vicving or rcqucst. Rccorus that arc
availablc to thc public incluuc thc agcnua anu minutcs of tovnship
mcctings, tovn anu school buugcts, ucvclopmcnt maps anu proposal
uocumcnts, anu many othcr uocumcnts of conccrn to thc community.
Thc Govcrnmcnt Rccorus Council scttlcs any uisputcs arising from
potcntial brcachcs of OPRA provisions.
/RDINANCE
A local oruinancc is a statutc cnactcu by thc city or local govcrnmcnt.
Dcpcnuing on thc form of municipal govcrnmcnt, oruinanccs may
bc auoptcu through any combination of mayor/tovnship managcr
anu council votc.
0ARTISAN.ON0ARTISAN
Thc tcrm partisan rcfcrs to political action involving thc actors or
policics of onc or morc political partics. This incluucs supporting a
party canuiuatc, platform, or initiativc along thc samc principlcs or
sct of valucs of a political party.
0LANNING"OARD
Thc local planning boaru controls thc physical ucvclopmcnt anu
grovth of thc city. Vany quality of lifc issucs - qucstions that
conccrn hov rcsiucnts arc affcctcu by changcs in thc physical
anu cnvironmcntal ucvclopmcnt of thcir community - arc ucalt
vith by thc planning boaru. Onc of thc planning boaru`s main
rcsponsibilitics is thc auoption anu rcvision of thc city`s Vastcr Plan.
Planning boaru mcmbcrs arc appointcu by thc Vayor anu Council,
although thc Vayor or his ucsigncc anu onc Council rcprcscntativc
arc oftcn rcquircu to sit on thc planning boaru.
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lav, thc planning boaru is rcquircu to rcvisc or rcauopt thc mastcr
plan at lcast cvcry six ycars, but havc thc authority to altcr thc plan
morc frcqucntly.

-AYOR
Thc Vayor is thc ofncial clcctcu or appointcu' to act as chicf cxccutivc
or nominal hcau of a city, tovn, or borough. Working closcly vith thc
City council, thc Vayor is rcsponsiblc for uccisions conccrning thc
gcncral auministration of city govcrnmcnt anu scrviccs, incluuing
sctting policy, proviuing managcmcnt for local govcrnmcnt agcncics,
anu scrving thc nccus of thc gcncral public
-EETING!GENDA
Thc mccting agcnua uctcrmincs vhat issucs vill bc consiucrcu by
thc govcrnmcnt bouy - council, school boaru, ctc. - anu in vhat
orucr thcsc issucs vill bc rcvicvcu. Both council mcmbcrs anu
citizcns may proposc to placc an itcm on thc mccting agcnua.
Agcnua itcms can bc passcu by rcsolution of thc boaru or formally
auoptcu through a local oruinancc.
-UNICIPALITY
A municipality is an urban political unit having corporatc status
anu povcrs of sclf-govcrnmcnt. Iikc statc anu national lcvcl
govcrnmcnts, municipalitics havc cxccutivc, lcgislativc, anu juuicial
ofnccs anu arc rcsponsiblc for proviuing many public scrviccs for
thc citizcns vithin thc community.
/PEN0UBLIC-EETINGS!CT
Thc Opcn Public Vccting Act is a lav that rcquircs that all mcctings
of municipal govcrning bouics bc opcn anu acccssiblc to thc public.
A mccting gcncrally incluucs any situation in vhich a majority of
thc council or othcr govcrning bouy (incluuing ccrtain kinus of
committccs) mccts anu uiscusscs thc busincss of that bouy. In orucr
to bc valiu, oruinanccs, rcsolutions, rulcs, rcgulations, orucrs, anu
uircctivcs must bc auoptcu at public mcctings. Thc Act contains
spccinc provisions rcgaruing: rcgular anu spccial mcctings, cxccutivc
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0OLICY0UBLIC0OLICY
A policy is a coursc or mcthou of action by a govcrnmcnt bouy or
institution that uctcrmincs prcscnt anu futurc uccisions.
0OLITICAL0ARTY
A group of pcoplc vith similar iucas or aims, somc of vhosc
mcmbcrs arc nominatcu as canuiuatcs in clcctions in thc hopc that
thcy vill bc clcctcu to public ofncc. Whilc thcrc arc scvcral partics
in thc Unitcu Statcs, thc tvo major partics arc thc Dcmocratic party
anu thc Rcpublican party.
2ECALL%LECTION
A rccall clcction is onc in vhich a citizcn-lcu initiativc sccks to
rcmovc a govcrnmcnt ofncial from ofncc. In Ncv Jcrscy, Iaulkncr Act
tovns havc thc option of rccall built in to thcir form of govcrnmcnt.
Ncv Jcrscy is also onc of thc 26 statcs alloving rccall clcctions at
thc statc lcvcl.
2ESOLUTION
A formal cxprcssion of thc opinion, intcntion, or uccision by an
ofncial bouy or asscmbly.
3CHOOL"OARD
Thc School Boaru ovcrsccs public primary anu scconuary (K-12)
cuucation for thc local school uistrict. All school rclatcu policy issucs,
incluuing curriculum anu instruction, thc hiring anu appointmcnt of
faculty anu auministration, nscal anu facility managcmcnt, anu cxtra
anu co-curricular programs arc all uctcrmincu by thc school boaru.
With thc cxccption of 18 school uistricts in thc statc of Ncv Jcrscy,
school boaru mcmbcrs arc clcctcu to thcir tcrms in Vay.
6OTING$OWNTHE"ALLOT
Thc tcrm voting uovn thc ballot rcfcrs to thc practicc of voting
for all ofnccs anu ballot mcasurcs appcaring on thc ballot. Vany
votcrs only cast thcir votc for national or statc ofnccs, vhilc local
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anu county clcctions, as vcll as ballot qucstions, or issucs placc on
thc ballot that cvcntually bccomc local policy, scc
:ONING"OARDOF!DJUSTMENTS
Fach municipality uctcrmincs its lanu usc via zoning, i.c. ucsignating
ccrtain arcas for spccinc uscs likc housing, rctail, hotcls, ctc. This
information is containcu vithin thc tovn or city mastcr plan. Ncv
ucvclopmcnts must bc in accoruancc vith thc zoning rcgulations of
a spccinc arca. Vost oftcn, thc planning boaru uctcrmincs vhcthcr
proposcu ucvclopmcnts mcct zoning rcgulations. If, hovcvcr, a
proposcu ucvclopmcnt rcquircs a variancc, mcaning thc proposcu
lanu usc is not pcrmittcu, thc application may bc consiucrcu by
thc zoning boaru, vho uctcrmincs vhcthcr thc application vill bc
approvcu.
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