County of Union, New Jersey

As part of a broad effort to encourage participation in the 2020 Census, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has launched a phone bank initiative to remind residents about the importance of returning their 2020 Census survey, and to assist them with any questions they may have.

“The Census count has a direct impact on funding for education, roads, and health care in Union County,” said Freeholder Chair Alexander Mirabella. “There is so much at stake, and the phone banking initiative is an important part of the County’s commitment to achieve a fair and accurate count of all Union County residents. If you have not responded to the 2020 Census and receive a phone call from the Union County phone bank, please take a few minutes to help us meet that goal.”

Union County personnel will operate the phone bank, on temporary reassignment during the COVID-19 outbreak. They are trained to provide reliable guidance on the 2020 Census and provide accurate answers to questions, including those regarding confidentiality and other concerns.

The Union County phone bank will call more than 30,000 individuals during the next few months, targeting hard-to-count areas. The initiative will begin directing calls to low response communities in the City of Plainfield.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the County has employed social media to explain the importance of completing the Census. In addition, 30-second public service announcements featuring Chairman Mirabella in English with Spanish subtitles were aired through various media outlets covering all Union County municipalities.

Other Union County initiatives include the countywide “It Makes Sense to…Come to Your CENSUS 2020” campaign created by high school students who participated in Union County’s annual UC-STEP youth leadership conference in December.

The County will continue to encourage all residents to complete and return the Census questionnaire by mail, phone, or online. The Census has only nine questions and takes about 10 minutes to fill out.

For more help with responding to the U.S. Census, County residents can complete an online survey on the County website at ucnj.org/census

For additional information and assistance on responding, visit the U.S. Census Bureau at 2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond, or call 844-330-2020. Phone assistance is available from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on the Union County Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit 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.

 

Union County, NJ – The offices of Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi are open for additional hours, as a service for voters who wish to drop off their Vote-by-Mail ballots in person or who have questions regarding the July 7 Primary Election.

The offices will be open on each of the following days from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.:

Saturday, June 27

Monday, June 29

Tuesday, June 30

Wednesday, July 1

Thursday, July 2

Monday, July 6

Tuesday, July 7 (Election Day)

These extended hours apply to the County Clerk’s main office at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth, and the annex office at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

Please note that all government offices are closed on Friday, July 3.

Office visitors are advised that masks and social distance are required in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We are all deeply concerned about the safety of our voters and well as their democratic right to vote,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “We are following Governor Murphy’s mandates and have taken other steps to ensure that voters can participate in the Primary Election without compromising their health or the health of others.”

As part of the COVID-19 safety precautions, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy has ordered that the July 7 Primary Election be held primarily by Vote-by-Mail ballots.

Voters who wish to drop off their ballots in person can also use any of five official, secure drop off boxes installed by the Union County Board of Elections. The drop-off boxes may be used at any time of day or night, 24/7, up until 8:00 p.m. on July 7:

Cranford – Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue

Elizabeth – Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza

Plainfield – Plainfield Municipal Building Parking Lot, 515 Watchung Avenue

Union – Union Township Municipal Building Rear Entrance, 1976 Morris Avenue

Westfield — Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East

Visit the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, for additional online resources including:

• Vote by Mail FAQ’s.
• Video instructions for Vote-by-Mail.
• Downloadable Vote-by-Mail application for unaffiliated and inactive voters, in English or Spanish.
• Sample Ballots (by order of Governor Murphy, voters will not receive a sample ballot in the mail).

As a reminder, for the July 7 Primary all active registered Democratic and Republican voters automatically receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot. A pre-paid postage return self-sealing envelope is included. Registered Democratic and Republican voters who have not received their Vote-by-Mail ballot should contact the County Clerk Elections Division by email at ucvote@ucnj.org.

Voters are strongly encouraged to use a Vote-by-Mail ballot in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. A limited number of in-person polling places will be available on Election Day, July 7, for those who choose to vote in person.

In-person voters must wear masks and observe social distance at their polling location. Other precautions against infection, such as washing hands, are strongly encouraged.

In-person voters will be issued a provisional paper ballot to vote; Vote-by-Mail ballots cannot be used at polling locations. An ADA-accessible voting machine will be available to voters with disabilities who certify that they cannot use a paper provisional ballot.

For more information about the July 7 Primary Election and all County Clerk election services visit unioncountyvotes.com, or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit 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.

 

 

Drop off boxes are located in Cranford, Elizabeth, Plainfield, Union, and Westfield

 Union County, NJ – Union County residents who wish to hand deliver their Vote-by-Mail ballots can use any of five secure, official ballot drop-off boxes installed and overseen by the Union County Board of Elections.
 
Cranford
Cranford Community Center
220 Walnut Avenue
 
Elizabeth
Union County Administration Building
10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth
 
Plainfield
Plainfield City Hall Parking Lot
515 Watching Way
 
Union Township
Union Township Municipal Building
1976 Morris Avenue – Rear Entrance
 
Westfield
Colleen Fraser Building
300 North Avenue East
 
“The ballot drop-off boxes provide voters with an additional, convenient way to participate in the July 7 primary,” said Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado.
 
The drop-off boxes are available on a 24-7 basis. Voters may deposit their ballot in a drop-off box at any time of day or night, up to 8:00 p.m. on July 7.
 
All of the drop-off locations are ADA accessible and are under constant camera surveillance.

Ballots will be picked up and brought to the Board of Elections on a daily basis.
 
In addition, voters using a drop-off box may bear their own ballot and ballots of up to three other voters.  Ballot bearers must sign the bearer portion of the outside envelope in the presence of each voter whose ballot they are bearing.
 
Voters who wish to hand deliver their ballots can also bring them to the Board of Elections office at 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth. As with the drop off boxes, they may bear their own ballot and ballots of up to three other voters.
 
Voters choosing to drop off their ballot at the Board of Elections office are reminded that they must sign a register, and produce a New Jersey Driver’s License or New Jersey Issued Identification.
 
In addition to regular weekday hours between now and July 6, the office will be open to voters for ballot return on Saturday June 27, and Saturday July 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day. On July 7, the office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
While visiting the Board of Elections office, voters must wear masks and observe social distance.
 
Voters may also send their ballots to the Board of Elections by U.S. mail. Each ballot comes with prepaid postage. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the Board of Elections by July 14, seven days after Election Day. 
 
All voters wishing to use a polling location on Election Day will be required to complete a paper provisional ballot. Voters who cannot vote on a paper ballot will be afforded the opportunity to vote on a machine, after they have certified that they cannot vote on a paper ballot.
 
To view instructions for using a Vote-by-Mail ballot correctly, visit the Election Board online at ucnj.org/boe/make-sure-your-vote-by-mail-ballot-is-counted-2.
 
For information on all Board of Elections services visit ucnj.org/boe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or leave a phone message at 908-527-4121. All email and phone messages will be returned.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit 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.

 

The County of Union encourages residents who need help with food, shelter, employment, and other critical needs to call the county’s Action Line, either at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288.

“By calling the Action Line, residents can receive the help and information they need,”  Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella said. “Our Action Line staff has the knowledge and resources to help, either in English or Spanish, and can direct callers to our community partners and other local resources if needed.”

DHS Action Line specialists, including Spanish speakers, are available Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Voice and email messages left after hours will be answered the next business day. Residents may also email their questions to DHSAction@ucnj.org.

The Action Line, part of the many programs run by the Union County Department of Human Services, is comprised of professionals who are trained to explain the programs and services provided by Union County as well as answer specific concerns or questions. In addition, the Action Line provides Human Services clients with a portal for resolving issues related to benefits and payments.

Staff is also available to help residents connect with services for seniors and their caregivers, employment opportunities and job training, food and shelter, homeless prevention, mental health and addiction issues, special transportation needs, issues, special needs, programs for at-risk youth, and more.

For information about the Union County Department of Human Services and its programs, please visit http://www.ucnj.org/human-services or call 908-527-4808.

Union County, NJ – Union County residents who wish to hand deliver their Vote-by-Mail ballots can use any of five secure, official ballot drop-off boxes installed and overseen by the Union County Board of Elections. By order of Governor Phil Murphy, the July 7 election is being conducted primarily by Vote-by-Mail ballot.

Four boxes have already been installed. The locations are:

Cranford

Cranford Community Center

220 Walnut Avenue

 

Elizabeth

Union County Administration Building

10 Elizabethtown Plaza

Elizabeth

 

Plainfield

Plainfield City Hall Parking Lot

515 Watchung Avenue

 

Union Township

Union Township Municipal Building

1976 Morris Avenue – Rear Entrance

 

The fifth box will be installed later this week at a location to be determined.

“The ballot drop-off boxes provide voters with an additional, convenient way to participate in the July 7 primary,” said Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado.

The drop-off boxes are available on a 24-7 basis. Voters may deposit their ballot in a drop-off box at any time of day or night, up to 8:00 p.m. on July 7.

All of the drop-off locations are ADA accessible and are under constant camera surveillance.

Ballots will be picked up and brought to the Board of Elections on a daily basis.

In addition, voters using a drop-off box may bear their own ballot and ballots of up to three other voters.  Ballot bearers must sign the bearer portion of the outside envelope in the presence of each voter whose ballot they are bearing.

Voters who wish to hand deliver their ballots can also bring them to the Board of Elections office at 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth. As with the drop off boxes, they may bear their own ballot and ballots of up to three other voters.

Voters choosing to drop off their ballot at the Board of Elections office are reminded that they must sign a register, and produce a New Jersey Driver’s License or New Jersey Issued Identification.

In addition to regular weekday hours between now and July 6, the office will be open to voters for ballot return on Saturday June 27, and Saturday July 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day. On July 7, the office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

While visiting the Board of Elections office, voters must wear masks and observe social distance.

Voters may also send their ballots to the Board of Elections by U.S. mail. Each ballot comes with prepaid postage. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the Board of Elections by July 14, seven days after Election Day. 

All voters wishing to use a polling location on Election Day will be required to complete a paper provisional ballot. Voters who cannot vote on a paper ballot will be afforded the opportunity to vote on a machine, after they have certified that they cannot vote on a paper ballot.

To view instructions for using a Vote-by-Mail ballot correctly, visit the Election Board online at ucnj.org/boe/make-sure-your-vote-by-mail-ballot-is-counted-2.

For information on all Board of Elections services visit ucnj.org/boe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or leave a phone message at 908-527-4121. All email and phone messages will be returned.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit 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.

Union County Freeholder Andrea Staten, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter, Summit Mayor Nora Radest and Summit Councilman Greg Vartan joined the United Way of Greater Union County and members of County Government at Summit High School in distributing food donated by Amazon.com through the United Way to various social service organizations throughout Union County. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

New measure enables use of Union County roads by retail food and beverage services.

Union County, NJ – In an effort to help local businesses recover from the COVID-19 crisis, the Freeholder Board has adopted a new policy that expands opportunities for outdoor dining. The new measure enables municipalities to request a County road closure, or a change in traffic flow, for the purpose of outdoor dining. It was approved at the Freeholder Board’s regular meeting on Thursday, June 18.

Each request will be assessed on the basis of detailed plans submitted by the municipality. Traffic safety and COVID-19 prevention are among the factors included in the assessment.

“Union County assesses and authorizes temporary road closures to provide space for parades and other community events in normal times,” explained Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “In this time of crisis, we hope that some parts of our County road network can provide space to help local businesses get back on their feet, and help restore our communities to life as well.”

As of June 15, food or beverage establishments in New Jersey are permitted to provide in-person service outdoors, provided they observe social distance and other COVID-19 prevention guidelines. The permission includes restaurants, cafeterias, dining establishments, food courts, bars, and all other holders of a liquor license with retail consumption.

“Union County residents have worked hard to drive the infection rate down, and we are confident that everyone will continue to exercise precautions as we expand our efforts to assist the business community during this crisis,” said Freeholder Chris Hudak, is a member of the Fiscal Committee and was instrumental in creating the new street closure initiative. 

The Freeholder Board’s new policy will enable municipalities to submit formal requests for temporarily closing County roads, partially or fully, for the purpose of outdoor dining at adjacent food or beverage establishments.

The policy is effective as of June 15 and will extend until November 30, 2020.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Test Center, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit 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.