05/29/2023
Democratic Chairman Anthony Salters took time to answer some redistricting questions for the public.
Hillside Legislative Reapportionment Q & A
1. Is Hillside now in Essex County?
No. Hillside is still in Union County.
2. Will Hillside residents now have to pay taxes to Union and Essex County ? No. Just to Union County.
3. What is a Legislative District ?
Each municipality in New Jersey is assigned to be in a State of New Jersey Legislative District every 10 years. Each NJ Legislative District is equally or close to the same population of residents bar none. The population numbers are based on the most recent Census count.
4. What NJ Legislative District was Hillside in prior to January 1, 2023 ?
The 20th New Jersey Legislative District. It consisted of Hillside, Union, Elizabeth and Roselle.
5. What New Jersey Legislative District is Hillside in now ?
New Jersey Legislative District 28 that includes Hillside, Irvington, South Orange, Maplewood, a part of Newark South Ward, a part of Newark Central Ward and a part of Newark West Ward.
6. Who are our current New Jersey Legislative District Representatives now ?
State Senator Renee Burgess, Assemblywomen Cleopatra Tucker and Miley Jasey. Assemblywoman Jasey has decided not to seek Reelection this year. Senator Burgess has taken the place of the late Senator Ronald Rice, Sr.
7. Who are our former New Jersey State Legislative District Representatives ?
State Senator Joseph Cryan, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and Assemblyman Reginald Atkins.
8. Who do we call if we have a problem on the State level ?
Feel free to call our current and former New Jersey State District Representatives. They all have verbally committed to assist Hillside residents anyway they can.
9. Who decided to move Hillside out of New Jersey Legislative District 20 to Legislative District 28 ?
Every 10 years a selected group of 10 Republicans, 10 Democrats and one other neutral person is named to meet over a 8 to10 month period to reapportion the entire New Jersey Legislative map.This group is called the Reapportionment Committee. New Jersey has 40 Legislative Districts in total. All 40 New Jersey Legislative Districts were effected.
10. Was there opposition to Hillside being relocated to another New Jersey Legislative District?
Yes. Anthony Salters, Hillside Democratic Chairman, Councilwoman Andrea Hyatt, Councilman Donald De Augustine, Former Councilpersons Edward Brewer, George Cook , Mattie Holloway, also Faheem Ra Oof, Aldeana Mitchell and Robin Johnson spoke directly to the New Jersey Legislative District Reapportionment Committee during the scheduled public speaking portion during the hearings vehemently opposing the decision to move Hillside out of NJ Legislative District 20. Numerous letters were also sent directly to the Reapportionment Committee from concerned Hillside residents giving their opinion on the decision made.
11. Is it a bad move for Hillside to move to Legislative District 28 ?
Too early to say or judge.
12. Will Hillside have a chance to move out of New Jersey Legislative District 28 ?
Not until 2031. By New Jersey state law the Legislative District must stay in place as is for 10 years. This redistricting process happens by state law every 10 years.
