Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, & Speaker Coughlin Announce Support of Legislation to Change Outdated Term of ‘Freeholder’ to ‘Commissioner’ 

“As our nation tears down symbols of injustice, we must also tear down words we use in New Jersey that were born from racism. It’s past time for New Jersey to phase out the term ‘freeholder’ from our public discourse –  a term coined when only white male landowners could hold public office. 

This is not a matter of political correctness; it is a corrective action to replace an outdated designation that is rooted in institutional prejudice.”