New Jersey's April school elections and budget votes have long been ridiculed for the few who cast ballots and the little impact they have on what is the biggest piece of a home owner's property tax bill.

But despite repeated proposals over decades and across administrations to change the process or move the elections to November, none yet have prevailed.

Now, breaking the stalemate, Democratic leaders yesterday moved quickly on a bill that would allow districts to shift the school vote to November, while also eliminating any budget vote at all if the budget is within the state's 2 percent tax cap. If above the cap, the excess spending would be put to a separate vote.

The bill, sponsored by state Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden), the incoming Assembly majority leader, won bipartisan approval in the Assembly's Appropriations Committee and looks poised for passage before the end of the year.

"It will increase voter participation, save money, and go a long way toward getting people involved in the schools and the process," said state Sen. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), the Senate sponsor.

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Related Links: Assembly Bill No. 4394.

NJ Spotlight is an online news service providing insight and information on issues critical to New Jersey.