For immediate release
Teaneck, NJ
Friday July 30th 2021
Teaneck Clerk Tries to Thwart Popular Grassroots Initiative
On July 9th of this year, a team of volunteers with the One Town, One Vote initiative submitted a petition signed by 1,400 registered voters in Teaneck seeking to change the date of Teaneck’s council elections from a stand-alone election in May to coincide with the general elections in November.
The goal of the petition was clear and simple: to streamline the process of electing Township Council members, thereby increasing voter turnout, including a diverse electorate and saving Teaneck residents about $50,000 per municipal election. To be clear, the petition does not contain any provision to change the form of government or to make elections partisan.
The 1400 signatures were collected through grassroots efforts by residents from different socio-political ideologies, working over 5 weeks between Memorial day and July 4th. In order to ensure that all aspects of their petition were compliant with legal requirements for such a ballot initiative, representatives of the One Town, One Vote team met with the Township Clerk, Mr. Doug Ruccione, on June 16. At this meeting, the town attorney Mr. John Shahadian and his colleague Mr. Bill Rupp were also present.
Several aspects of the One Town One Vote initiative were discussed and the team was led to believe that the petition would be accepted if it was signed by at least 791 registered Teaneck voters, representing 10% of the voters in the last election.
(Mr. Ruccione is legally responsible for the certification of all initiatives related to municipal elections)
Approximately 20 days later and despite his assurances, Mr. Ruccione has decided to reject this popular town-wide initiative, citing that the wording of the petition is deficient and more than 2,000 signatures (25% of the last election) are now required for a successful attempt. Also this letter has been delivered at the last possible legal moment at 5:00 pm on July 29.
It is no surprise that the One Town One Vote petition is being challenged by the Township Clerk, who is appointed by the Teaneck Township council. The council majority has been fiercely opposed to the proposed change to the status quo.
Although the Clerk’s decision leaves One Town One Vote with a tight deadline to get the question on the ballot in November, Senator Loretta Weinberg confirmed that the group will continue its fight. “Thank you to all the petition signers, who are now the foundation of a new grassroots group of Teaneck residents who just want to make it easier and more convenient for people to vote.”
Along with Sen. Weinberg, the four other One Town, One Vote petitioners represent the rich diversity of Teaneck’s population: civil rights icon Theodora Lacey, youth organizer Teji Vega, Teaneck International Film Festival founder Jeremy Lentz, and community organizer Reshma Khan. Together they are confident that they can challenge the decision of the Town Clerk since every attempt was made to satisfy the statutory requirements of a resident-led initiative.
Above all, this move on the part of the independent office of the Township Clerk highlights that democracy is under strain in Teaneck.
For further information, contact: Reshma Khan (201) 600-6965; reshmakhan786@gmail.com
