What is a freeholder?

League of Women Voters
of Camden County

A non-partisan organization, promoting political responsibility through informed and active participation in government.

What is a Freeholder? (Modified from LWVNJ)

New Jersey has 21 counties, each governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders. The county government is responsible for the construction and maintenance of county roads and bridges and the operation of a county jail. It may operate many programs such as police and fire training academies and emergency services, maintain park and recreation systems, administer programs for special groups, and usually assumes public health functions.

Freeholder boards consist of three to nine members, elected at large for terms of three years on a staggered basis. In Camden Couty the board has seven members. They are policy makers and administrators. One freeholder, selected as director of the board, presides over meetings and has voice and vote in board proceedings. The board typically operates through committees which administer the operations of county government.

The optional County Charter Law, enacted in 1972, allows for four additional forms of county government--county manager, county executive, county supervisor, and board president. All options allow a freeholder board of five, seven, or nine members elected at large, by districts, or a combination of the two with concurrent or staggered three-year terms. All forms provide the voters with procedures for initiative, referendum, and recall of elected officials.