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Union County Clerk Redesigns Election Ballots

Union County NJ Clerk Joanne Rajoppi
Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has introduced new voter-friendly ballots for Vote-by-Mail, machine and sample ballots starting in the 2015 General Election. The newly redesigned ballots provide voters with more clarity and ease while selecting candidates for whom they wish to vote. 

The new Vote-by-Mail ballot, for example, will closely resemble both the sample ballot mailed to every voter and the official machine ballot used in voting machines. One major change is that the Vote-by-Mail ballot will be printed in the same horizontal or “landscape” orientation as the sample and official ballots. Previously, the Vote-by-Mail ballot was printed in a vertical orientation.

“I began the process of redesigning the Vote-by-Mail ballot approximately eight months ago to ensure conformity amongst all the election ballots, including the sample ballot and the official machine ballot,” said Rajoppi.

Voters will also notice that the ballots enable them to easily distinguish between the sections for general election candidates and school board candidates. A new blue heading has been added for the School Board Election, providing a clear contrast with the red heading used for the General Election.

Typical example of the new Vote-by-Mail ballot in English.
Typical example of the new Vote-by-Mail ballot in English.

“The new ballot is designed so voters can easily see that they have more votes to cast, after they finish voting in the General Election,” said Rajoppi. “As a former school board member, I know how important it is to encourage voter participation in School Board Elections. The new design will help ensure that every voter can quickly understand that there are two separate elections in which to vote.”

Voters will also notice that the new Vote-by-Mail ballot includes an instruction section in larger typeface than the previous version.

“The vote-by-mail process is relatively simple but the instructions need to be followed carefully,” said Rajoppi. “The larger font will help ensure that persons with visual impairments fill out the ballot correctly and make their vote count.”

Typical example of the new Vote-by-Mail ballot in Spanish.
Typical example of the new Vote-by-Mail ballot in Spanish.

To see a sample of the new Vote-by-Mail ballot, visit the County Clerk online at ucnj.org/county-clerk.  For voters wishing to vote by mail, the last day to apply by mail for a Vote-by-Mail ballot is Tuesday, October 27, 2015.  A voter may also request a Vote-by-Mail ballot in person at the Union County Clerk’s Office until Monday, November 2, 2015 at 3:00pm.  The County Clerk’s Office in Elizabeth will have a special Saturday opening on October 31, 2015 from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  The Westfield Office is open Saturdays from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2015 and polls are open from 6:00am to 8:00pm for voters wishing to vote on the machines.

Voters are also reminded to download the free Union County Votes app for mobile phones and tablets. Launched by the County Clerk last year, the app provides important information such as polling place locations, alerts and election night results.

More details about Union County Votes, including download instructions, are available at ucnj.org/county-clerk. For additional information or questions call the Office of the County Clerk, 908-527-4787.

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