County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Board of Elections reminds residents that Tuesday, October 18 is the deadline for voter registration for the 2022 General Election. Election Day will be on Tuesday, November 8^th.

“There are multiple options for residents to register to vote in time for the upcoming election,” said Union County Board of Elections Administrator, Nicole DiRado. “Those eligible to vote can apply online, by mail or in person in order to register.”

The Union County Board of Elections office is open Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to accept Voter Registration Forms. On the October 18 voter registration deadline, the Board of Elections Office will remain open until 9:00 p.m. to receive forms.

Municipal Clerk offices can also provide and accept voter registration forms. Voter registration forms can also be downloaded from the Union County Board of Elections website at ucnj.org/boe/voter-registration-information. Be sure to print and sign the form before returning.

To register online, eligible residents should visit: voter.svrs.nj.gov/register and follow the Online Voter Registration instructions. Your County Commissioner of Registration will notify you if your application is accepted. If it is not accepted, you will be notified on how to complete and/or correct the application.

You can register to vote if:

• You are a United States citizen
• You will be 18 years old by the next election
• You will be a resident of the State and county for 30 days before the election
• You are NOT currently serving a sentence because of a felony conviction
• As of March 17, 2020, persons currently on parole or probation are entitled to vote.

To receive a voter registration form by mail, call the Board of Elections at 908-527-4123.

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

For information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

Union County residents interested in helping voters at polling locations on Election Day this year still have time to apply to become poll workers.

Poll workers will earn $300 for the day, starting at 5:15 a.m. through approximately 8:15, after the close of the polls. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Poll workers perform essential services on Election Day, by ensuring every eligible voter is afforded an opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

“Serving as a poll worker is one of the most important ways to ensure Election Day is as smooth and easy a process for voters and election officials as possible,” said Union County Board of Elections Administrator, Nicole DiRado. “It is a rewarding experience for all who take part.”

Any Union County resident who is 18 years or older, and registered to vote in Union County, can apply to become a poll worker. No experience is needed. New poll workers must attend a mandatory, in-person training session.

Prospective poll workers can apply online or by using a paper application form. To apply online, visit the Union County Board of Elections at ucnj.org/pollworker. To receive a paper application, call the Board of Elections at 908-527-4236 or email pollworker@ucnj.org.

For more information, follow the Poll Worker Resources link at ucnj.org/ucboe. For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe.

Free, easy-to-access training in basic work skills, including computer training, for Union County residents.

Union County residents who are interested in improving their employment opportunities are invited to use Union County’s new remote learning platform at the Workforce Learning Link. The Workforce Learning Link is designed to help residents enter the workforce, improve their level of employment, enter an occupational training program, or obtain a high school equivalency diploma.

The Workforce Learning Link also provides in-person access, for those who prefer to use the learning program in person.

“The new remote learning option enables us to connect members of the public with workforce training services that enable them to gain valuable skills while tending to other responsibilities they may have, such as family care, school, work or civic service,” said Commissioner Rebecca L. Williams.

“With the new remote platform, we have the opportunity to tailor our services to fit the needs of our diverse, dynamic population, remove barriers to self-improvement, and make it easier for all residents to access career services. It provides an additional resource for the many Union County residents who are striving to enter the workforce and improve their employment situation,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, who is the Commissioner Board Liaison to the Workforce Development Board and the Human Services Advisory Council.

The Workforce Learning Link focuses on programs that enable participants to work towards their goals within a relatively short period of time, lasting no more than six months.

Residents who enroll in the Workforce Learning Link remote platform can create their own schedules, work at their own pace, and access their courses on a 24/7 basis.

To find out about the Workforce Learning Link and other American Job Center programs in Union County, residents can call 908-558-8000.

American Job Center offices are located in Plainfield at 200 West Second Street, and Elizabeth at 921 Elizabeth Avenue.

The American Job Center is a program of the Union County Department of Human Services. For more information, and to access the “Union County Works” one-stop virtual services portal, visit ucnj.org/dhs/workforce-development.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Panel Discussion about Union County, the Hispanic Community and careers in television and media to be held at Kean University

The Union County Board of County Commissioners through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs invites residents to the panel discussion, Hispanic Media Connection, on Wednesday, October 12 at Kean University located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union Township. The event will take place in the North Avenue Academic Building. Light refreshments will be served at a 6:00 p.m. reception preceding the panel discussion, which is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. The event is free to attend.

This event is a joint collaboration between the County of Union, Kean University and Telemundo 47. The Hispanic Media Connection panel discussion is part of Union County’s Hispanic Heritage Month Program.

“Hispanic Media Connection will be a great opportunity for insight on the many facets of Spanish language media and how they come together to serve the Hispanic community,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “We look forward to a great panel discussion and encourage all residents to attend.”

The panel will be comprised of four representatives from the Telemundo 47 world, with insights from different vantage points of the Hispanic Media industry:

• Host/Panelist: Allan Villafana, Telemundo 47 News Anchor
• Panelist: Rosa Garriga, Telemundo 47 Senior Financial Analyst and Linden resident
• Panelist: Ana Abreu, Telemundo 47 Human Resources Manager and Elizabeth resident
• Panelist: Maria Vargas-Pion, Telemundo Network Correspondent and Kean University Graduate

“The composition of this panel including county residents, a Kean University graduate and all being Telemundo 47 personnel is reflective of the synergy between Union County, Kean University and Telemundo 47,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados. “The service provided by media outlets like Telemundo 47 is a vital part of the daily lives of so many Spanish speaking residents, and the information provided during this panel will be useful in analyzing how Spanish speaking media outlets continue to evolve and serve our communities.”

During the panel, which will be followed by a Q&A session, the following discussion topics will be addressed:

• History of Telemundo 47 in Union County and across Northern NJ
• Impact of Telemundo 47 and Telemundo Network on you
• Comparison to media in native countries – and local Hispanic communities
• Careers in media – now and in the future

“The Hispanic community in Union County is growing and Telemundo 47 and other Spanish language media outlets make sure that these residents are continuously informed of local and global happenings that affect them,” said Commissioner Lourdes Leon. “This panel is a small sample of the talent that contributes to the success of foreign language media right here in our own backyard.”

Allan Villafaña is originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Villafaña graduated from The Ohio State University where he majored in Journalism. He joined Telemundo 47 in 2012. He currently serves as news anchor for Noticiero 47 Telemundo Primera Edición (Telemundo 47 News First Edition), as well as Noticiero 47 Telemundo Al Mediodía (Telemundo 47 News at Noon). He joined Telemundo 47 in 2012. Villafaña has received numerous professional awards and nominations throughout his career. A member of the New York Chapter’s National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Villafaña was awarded the “Excellence in Journalism Award” by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Rosa Garriga is a 31 year veteran of NBC/Telemundo who currently serves as Senior Financial Analyst for both NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47.  A native of Cuba and a 43 year resident of Union County living mainly in Elizabeth and now currently in Rahway, Garriga has worked with Telemundo 47 for several decades and currently manages all accounts payable for the sister stations.  She has an Accounting Certificate from New York University and she began her career with NBC/Telemundo in 1981 as a Sales Assistant.

Ana Abreu is the Human Resources Manager for Telemundo 47.  In this role, she also works closely with sister station WNBC and manages benefits, labor relations and employee engagement for nearly 350 employees.  She joined Telemundo 47 in 2018 and was promoted into her current role in 2021.  A native of the Dominican Republic and a 20-year resident of Elizabeth, Abreu is a graduate of Rutgers University.

María Vargas-Pion is a national Emmy Award-Winning journalist and news correspondent at Hoy Día, Telemundo Network in New York’s Bureau. Over her twelve years as a journalist, she had worked as a news reporter at local stations, Telemundo 47 New York and Telemundo 62 in Philadelphia. She started her career as a production assistant at CNN/Headlines News at the Nancy Grace Show. María Vargas-Pion graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kean University with a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Film with a second major in Spanish. She was born in the Dominican Republic and lived a few years in Venezuela, from where she immigrated to the United States. Currently, María resides in New Jersey.

Hispanic Media Connection is made possible in part by funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the NJ Department of State. For more information regarding the Hispanic Heritage month and related events, please visit: https://ucnj.org/hhm22/ or contact Judith Guest, Community Engagement & Diversity Coordinator, by email at judith.guest@ucnj.org or by phone at (908) 527-4388.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Board of County Commissioners invites residents to Union County’s 14th Annual Columbus Day Flag Raising event. The ceremony will take place Friday, October 7th, at 1:00 p.m., on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth.

“We are proud of the achievements of Italian Americans who have made amazing contributions in all facets of our daily lives,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams, who is emceeing the program. “We will once again recognize the hard work and dedication of Italian-Americans across our great nation and especially within Union County.”

Colleen Gialanella, Principal of the Union County Academy for Information Technology, will be the Keynote Speaker at the flag raising, where she will also receive a resolution from the Board of County Commissioners.

“As a Commissioner of Italian descent, it is always a great honor to see the Italian flag flown over the County seat as we commemorate Columbus Day,” said Commissioner Alexander Mirabella. “We welcome all residents to join us in celebrating Italian American pride on October 7.”

The nation’s largest Italian American Service Organization, UNICO will be represented at the ceremony. UNICO operates nationally and through local chapters and their members engage in promoting and defending Italian culture and heritage, as well as providing scholarships, engaging in community service and other philanthropic endeavors. Members from UNICO National, UNICO District X, Westfield UNICO, Clark UNICO and Kenilworth UNICO are all confirmed to attend and participate in the ceremony.

The Italian American Police Society of New Jersey will also be represented by President William Schievella.

“Individuals like Ms. Gialanella and organizations like UNICO and the IAPS work tirelessly to stay connected to their Italian roots on a daily basis,” said Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “It is a pleasure to have them with us as we celebrate.”

Italian-style refreshments and pastries will be served at the conclusion of the program.

Paid parking is available in the Midtown area at the J. Christian Bollwage Parking deck at Elizabethtown Plaza and Caldwell Place. A second deck is Elizabeth’s Parking Deck No. 6 on Jefferson Avenue and Dickinson Street—the entrance is on Dickinson Street.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Voters can apply for their ballot in person, fill it out, and cast it in the same visit.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds residents that the County Clerk’s office in Westfield is now available to voters for “One-Stop” Vote-by-Mail service. Eligible voters can pick up an application for a Vote-by-Mail ballot, receive their ballot, and cast it in a secure drop-off box all in one visit.

“We encourage all voters to vote early by using a Vote-by-Mail ballot, and the One-Stop service makes it easy and convenient,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “As a reminder, voters who are not on the permanent Vote-by-Mail list will need to request an application if they would like to use a Vote-by-Mail ballot.”

The County Clerk’s Westfield office is located at the Colleen Frasier Building in the Union County Complex, at 300 North Avenue East. Regular office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Approximately 40,000 voters in Union County are on a permanent Vote-by-Mail list. Ballots were mailed to all permanent Vote-by-Mail voters last week.

Voters who are not on the permanent list must submit an application in order to receive their Vote-by-Mail ballot.

Picking up an application in person at the County Clerk’s office in Westfield is one way to obtain a Vote-by-Mail ballot application. There are also three other ways:

• Call the County Clerk’s Elections Division at 908-527-4996 to receive an application in the mail.
• Email the County Clerk at ucvote@ucnj.org to receive an application in the mail.
• Download the application from the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, or use the Union County Votes mobile app, available for free download on app stores.

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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Connect with Union County on social media.