Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announced that Vote-by-Mail ballots will be available in the County Clerk’s Offices in Elizabeth and Westfield on Monday, September 26, 2016 to registered voters who wish to cast their vote by mail ballot for the 2016 Presidential General Election.
Election Day 2016 is Tuesday, November 8. The deadline to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot through the mail is November 1, 2016. The application must be received by the County Clerk’s Office before or on this date by mail.
The deadline to apply in person is Monday, November 7, 2016 by 3:00 p.m.
“Vote-by-Mail is an important service that is available to every voter. It is especially useful for those who find it difficult to get to their polling place because of obligations at work or home, or because of physical impediments,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “It is not necessary to provide a reason for using Vote-by-Mail.”
Voters can obtain a Vote-by-Mail application in person at their local municipal building, from the County Clerk’s Main Office in Elizabeth, or from the Annex Office in Westfied.
Voters can also download and print an application from the County Clerk’s website, ucnj.org/vote-by-mail, or request that one be mailed through the free Union County Votes mobile app.
To receive an application through the mail, voters can call the County Clerk at 908-527-4996. There is no fee for this service.
“In addition to the critical Presidential election,” Ms. Rajoppi said, “Voters will be given an opportunity to vote on important county, local and school board candidates as well as three public questions.”
“If you’d like to use Vote-by-Mail, please allow ample time to get your application and return it to my office, so you can receive your ballot in time to cast your vote,” said Ms. Rajoppi.
To help streamline the Vote-by-Mail process, Ms. Rajoppi offers a “One-Stop” service. Voters using One-Stop can come to the Elizabeth or Westfield office, obtain an application, receive their ballot, and cast it all in the same visit. Recent legislation requires that voters wishing to leave their ballot in the Clerk’s lock box must provide a driver’s license or state identification card.
Ms. Rajoppi also reminded voters that the Vote-By-Mail Ballot was re-designed last year, so that it more closely resembles the Sample Ballot and Official Ballot in the voting machines.
“This change was made to help ensure that voters remember to fill out their entire ballot, including school board positions,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “The School Board Election now has a blue heading, helping to draw the voter’s attention to that part of the ballot.”
Voters can familiarize themselves with the Vote-by-Mail process by viewing the County Clerk’s “Vote By Mail” step-by-step video, available on YouTube and the Union County Votes app.
The Main Office of the County Clerk is located at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The County Clerk’s Election Office in Elizabeth will be open on Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to assist voters wishing to Vote-By-Mail.
The County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is located in the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield 07090. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
For more details about on the One-Stop Vote-by-Mail service, and all County Clerk programs and services including passports and deed recording, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787