A Guide to the Upcoming West Windsor Township Ballot Initiative

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In the general elections on November 5, 2024, West Windsor Township voters will have several choices: selecting candidates for U.S. President, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Mercer County Board of Commissioners, and more. These candidates will be listed with their party affiliations on the ballot.

Additionally, a significant Ballot Initiative will be proposed in a Public Question. It can be found on the BACK of the ballot along with the WW-P Board of Education candidates. The Ballot Question proposes a shift from the current nonpartisan electoral process to a partisan one. Voting YES on this Ballot Initiative will allow local candidates for Township Council and Mayor to run with party affiliations, based on their party’s certification, or independently.

The following guide explains how the Ballot Initiative will improve the electoral process for West Windsor voters in 2024 and beyond.

Why the Nonpartisan Election Process Is No Longer Effective

Understanding the changes in West Windsor’s demographics and governance over time underscores the need for this shift.

Historical Context and Population Growth:
- West Windsor, founded in 1797, was governed by a combined legislative and executive Committee until 1993. At that time, the Township adopted the Faulkner Act, transitioning to a Mayor-Council model with a nonpartisan electoral process. Back then, the population was approximately 16,000.
- Today, 30+ years later, West Windsor’s population has nearly doubled to 30,000. The ethnic demographics of the Township have also become exponentially more diverse. This extensive growth highlights the need for an updated electoral process that provides accountability and oversight, given the challenges of serving a larger, more diverse constituency.
Challenges of the Nonpartisan System:
- Lack of Transparency: The nonpartisan system obscures candidates’ party affiliations, even though many are aligned with parties and receive endorsements and funds from them. It is a misconception that political values and party platforms, with ideologies, do not influence policies on budgeting, land use, social services, safety, and more in “nonpartisan” towns — they do! Hiding party affiliations does not suddenly make governance apolitical or unbiased. Transparency is crucial for an informed voting constituency.
- Reduced Voter Engagement: Data shows that nonpartisan elections frequently lead to fewer challengers and diminished political representation for minority groups. Studies further reflect that nonpartisan systems often result in lower civic engagement and reduced voter turnout, as seen in West Windsor’s recent 2023 elections with a low 26.7% voter turnout compared to neighboring municipalities with partisan elections (East Windsor, Ewing, Hamilton, Hightstown, Hopewell(s), Lawrence, Pennington, Plainsboro, and Princeton — all partisan towns). Additionally, the nonpartisan electoral process heavily favors incumbents running for re-election, as many voters do not follow local politics due to inadequate news coverage.
- Increased Reliance on Heuristics: Without party labels, voters too often rely on less relevant characteristics like name, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, occupation, and socioeconomic status, rather than substantive policy positions and qualifications.

In contrast, a partisan ballot addresses these issues by enhancing transparency, increasing voter engagement, and promoting a clearer understanding of candidates’ positions and qualifications.

The Ballot Question

“Shall the municipal charter of the Township of West Windsor, governed by the nonpartisan Mayor-Council form of government under the Faulkner Act, be amended, as permitted under that plan, to provide for a change from nonpartisan to partisan municipal elections to be held in November?”

Understanding Some Key Terms and Phrases:

“... governed by the nonpartisan...”: Currently, West Windsor’s officials are elected without party affiliations on the ballot. This Ballot Initiative aims to change that, allowing party labels (e.g., Democrat, Republican, Independent…) to appear next to candidates’ names, thus promoting transparency.
“... Mayor-Council form of government...”: West Windsor uses the Mayor-Council model, with a Mayor and a five-member Township Council. This system, adopted in 1993, separates executive and legislative functions, and elections are held in November of odd-numbered years. This form of government will be maintained.
“... under the Faulkner Act...”: The Faulkner Act allows New Jersey municipalities to adopt various forms of local government. This Ballot Initiative seeks to amend the current nonpartisan system to a partisan one without altering the overall municipal framework.
“... be amended, as permitted under that plan, to provide for a change from nonpartisan to partisan municipal elections...”: The Faulkner Act permits changes to aspects of municipal governance, including moving from nonpartisan to partisan elections. This change will only affect ballot design/presentation and add a June primary election for political parties to select their candidates for the November general election. “Unaffiliated” voters may decide to vote in primaries by temporarily selecting a party with which they will align for the primary and then they may de-select their status with that party to resume that of “unaffiliated.” It is important to note that Mercer County already holds primaries, so there will be NO additional costs to the taxpayers of West Windsor.
“... to be held in November?”: Elections for the Mayor and Township Council will continue to occur in November, regardless of whether the system is partisan or nonpartisan.

Interpretive Statement

“The Township of West Windsor currently holds nonpartisan municipal elections in November, meaning that a candidate's party affiliation is not currently indicated on the ballot. Voting ‘YES’ to this question will allow for a change from nonpartisan candidates for municipal office to partisan candidates for office to appear on the ballot as either a nominee of a political party or as an independent. A ‘NO’ vote will result in the continuation of nonpartisan elections to be held in November.”

Sentence Breakdown:

First Sentence: Under the current system, party affiliations are not listed on the ballot. The Ballot Initiative seeks to change this, making party affiliations visible, thereby giving voters the critical information they deserve before electing Township officials.
Second Sentence: The change to partisan elections will correct the current lack of transparency, allowing voters to see candidates’ party affiliations. Independent, Green, and Libertarian candidates will still be able to run. Currently, candidates on a “nonpartisan” ballot often personally affiliate with a political party and obtain backing from them, even as they seem to be officially described as the opposite (or apolitical) for voters. A transition to partisan elections will correct this deception.And despite what some opponents claim, political “independents” will still be able to run for municipal office in a partisan system. They simply will collect and file petitions to be placed directly on the November general election ballot with all other candidates, and they do not have to first compete in a party primary. Indeed, this is how the rest of our elections for county, state, and federal office, all operating on a partisan basis, work — no different from how they are today in West Windsor. Primaries in New Jersey are a public process held on the first Tuesday in June for selecting a political party’s best nominee for the general election. One merely needs to be a registered Democrat or Republican (and can declare an affiliation at the polls if unaffiliated and switch back to unaffiliated immediately afterwards) to vote in their respective party’s primary.
Third Sentence: A “no” vote maintains the problematic status quo with nonpartisan elections. A “yes” vote supports greater transparency and informed decision-making.

We hope this guide clarifies the Ballot Initiative and the importance of voting “YES” on the Public Question. We urge you to support this electoral change by voting “YES” this November for transparent and inclusive governance in West Windsor. The policies that are put forth by our Mayor and Council members reflect their political ideologies and principles.

Think of what you want to see in West Windsor

Are you in favor of the commercial-centric development that has been underway in the Township? Do you believe we need the largest warehouse in all of New Jersey in West Windsor? Do you believe we need more distribution centers with tractor trailers going in and out 24/7? Do you believe we need more gas stations and fast-food restaurants?

Or do you want a Council and Mayor to look to the future: by protecting the environment and quality of life that we hold dear in West Windsor?

The choice is up to you!