What is the maximum time limit for collecting signatures on a recall petition?

The maximum time limit for collecting signatures on a recall petition in New Jersey is 160 days. This time frame is established to ensure a balance between providing sufficient opportunity for citizens to organize and gather the necessary support while also maintaining a timely process for the recall election.

Having a specified period allows for an organized and structured approach to the recall process, ensuring that the signatures collected are relevant to the current context of the public officeholder's performance. Given that a recall petition requires genuine public interest and engagement, the 160-day period allows for adequate time for outreach, campaigning, and collection of signatures from registered voters.

Understanding this timeline is crucial for anyone involved in municipal governance or activism, as it directly influences how recall efforts are strategized and executed. The other options do not reflect the correct statutory requirements set forth by New Jersey’s laws regarding recall petitions.