New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (Edwin J. Torres/Governor's Office)TRENTON - Gov.
Phil Murphy has signed legislation abolishing the county-level title of freeholder, which sponsors say alludes to a time when Black people and women were excluded from government.The legislation requires the title of “chosen freeholder” to be changed to “county commissioner” and all “boards of chosen freeholders” to be known as “boards of county commissioners,” with counties required to update letterheads, stationary and other writings as well as their websites within a year.
Signs or other writings won’t have to be replaced by that time if county funds are required; they can be updated the next time they are replaced.“We have an obligation to ensure that.