West Orange Needs New Town Council Member: Here’s How It Will Work

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Election Night is over in West Orange, but there is still an important decision that needs to be made when it comes to the township council: who will replace Joyce Rudin?

Although the final results remain uncertified, four candidates have declared wins in one of the most-closely watched elections in the town’s recent history.

Rudin has claimed victory in the mayor race. Meanwhile, Jackie Hendy and Justin Goldsman have assumed wins in the town council race, and Larry Weintraub has claimed a win in the board of education race.

>> MORE: 4 Candidates Claim Wins In West Orange Elections

A replacement will need to be found to assume Rudin’s spot on the town council when she is sworn in as mayor and the seat becomes vacant in January – and that’s where things get a little complicated.

Here’s Rudin’s explanation about what happens next:

“I want to clarify how the appointment process will work. Beginning in January, the four council members serving at that time, including the two newly-elected members, will be responsible for selecting and appointing the individual who will fill the vacant seat. My role will be limited to casting a vote in the event of a tie. I respect everyone's right to express their views and advocate for the candidates they support. Ultimately, this is a decision for the new council to make, not the current council. I trust they will give this thoughtful consideration.”

Tammy Williams, who also ran for mayor, also offered an explanation about what comes next for the West Orange Town Council.

According to Williams, here is the process for picking a replacement (as confirmed by the township clerk’s office):

“The newly seated council decides whether to fill the vacant seat. That decision must be made within 30 days of being sworn in on January 1. If the council chooses to fill it, it may appoint someone directly by majority vote, or invite resumes, hold interviews, and then vote. If the vote is tied 2-2, the mayor may cast the deciding vote. A 2-1 vote with one abstention fails, and the mayor cannot vote in that case. If no majority is reached within 30 days, the seat stays vacant. Either way, the remainder of the term will be on the November 2027 ballot. There will be no special election. This process is set by the Municipal Vacancy Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:16-5 and 40A:16-12.”

Kenneth Gibbons, who received the third-highest number of votes in the town council election, said he is willing to step up if chosen.

“Since Election Day, many of you have called to ask about the council seat mayor-elect Rudin will be leaving,” Gibbons wrote earlier this week.

“I want to be clear: I am interested and would be honored to be considered,” Gibbons added.

“Almost 6,000 West Orange residents voted for me on November 3,” he continued. “The decision belongs to the council, and I believe they should hear from those voters before filling the seat.

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