Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Friday that will eliminate the "freeholder" title, citing the complicated racial history behind the term, and a national reckoning.
The term freeholder refers to a time when only white men could own land and hold public office seats.
Under the legislation signed by Murphy, freeholders will now be called "commissioners."
The bill also requires counties to update letterheads, stationery and websites to reflect the new title within one year of the bill's effective date, January 1.
It does not, however, require counties to update or replace signs or other writings to reflect the change within the timeframe if doing so would require the expenditure of county funds. In these cases, the title would be changed whenever the writing is next updated or replaced in the ordinary course of business.
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"Governance in New Jersey must be inclusive and representative of our tremendous diversity," tweeted Murphy, after signing the bill.
Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, once a freeholder herself, called the change long overdue. Other lawmakers seemed to agree.
New Jersey was the only state in the country that still used the title for elected county officials.