Burlington County To Discuss Use Of Term 'Freeholder' Wednesday

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders will consider a resolution in support of recent legislation that would replace the use of the term “freeholder” with the term “commissioner” when it meets on Wednesday.

Late last month, the New Jersey State Assembly voted 61-12-4 in favor of bill A-3594 and the State Senate voted 31-6 in favor of bill S-855 that would replace the term "freeholder" with "county commissioner."

The legislation will now head to Gov. Phil Murphy's desk for his signature. Burlington County Freeholder Felicia Hopson previously said the board would replace the use of the term freeholder within the county. Read more here: Burlington County To Consider Ending Use Of Term ‘Freeholder’

The word "freeholder" has come under fire recently because it is an Old English term that dates back to the American Revolution that means "landowner who is free of debt." It was a requirement to hold public office at a time when only white men could own land and serve.

It is now only used in New Jersey for anyone who is elected to county governing bodies. Hopson, a Black woman, has said the title is rooted in an era of discrimination and inequality and must be replaced.

The freeholder board will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The public can listen to the meeting via conference call. Public comments will be conducted over the phone by town, in alphabetical order. When your town is called, say your name if you would like to speak. If there is more than one member of the public from a particular town, comments will be made in alphabetical order by the resident’s last name.

To join the public meeting, call 872-240-3212 and use the Meeting Code: 807448909. To view the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting, visit the county’s website.