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III
THE ELECTION OF CONVENTION DELEGATES
27 November-i December 1787
The resolutions calling for the election on 27 November of three
Convention delegates from each county, provided that the voters
should have the same qualifications as voters for members of the
General Assembly: be adults worth £50 proclamation money and be
residents of a county for a year.
The elections were conducted according to "the Rules and Regula-
tions prescribed" for the election of assemblymen as set forth in the
election law of 16 December 1783 (Mfm:N.J. 2). Eight counties voted
viva voce, while the other five used the secret ballot. Five counties
had only one polling place, while eight had multiple sites to which
sheriffs could move the polls if they thought it necessary. The polls
were to stay open "a reasonable Time," a phrase which enabled sheriffs
to keep the polls open for several days if they decided to do so.
Only one assemblyman, Matthew Whilldin, and one councillor,
Jeremiah Eldredge, both from Cape May County, were elected to the
Convention. State Supreme Court Chief Justice David Brearley was
the only delegate to the Constitutional Convention elected to the
Convention.
Essex County Election Notice, 5 November'
In compliance with the above resolutions of the legislature, I do
hereby give notice to the people of the county of Essex, that an election
will be held at the courthouse in Newark, for the choice of delegates
to represent this county in the state Convention as above mentioned.
Caleb Camp, sheriff
1. Printed in the New Jersey Journal on 7, 14, 21 November, immediately after
the resolutions calling the state Convention.