Author: corinnefiretto

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the 2026 seasonal recycling events will continue this April, featuring a variety of programs designed to help residents recycle unwanted, expired, or hazardous items and to promote sustainable waste management practices in the community.

“We’re excited to bring our residents this entirely free program that makes it easy to responsibly recycle, reduce waste, and remove hazardous items from the environment,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “We welcome all residents who are spring cleaning and decluttering their spaces to utilize this program and join us at the next recycling event.”

The next paper shredding event will take place on Wednesday, April 8^th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Black Brook Park, located at 349 North 19^th Street in Kenilworth. The event will end before 1:00 p.m. should trucks reach capacity.

Union County’s free paper shredding events take place each year from March through October, bringing mobile paper shredding trucks to various locations throughout the County. Any Union County resident, regardless of their hometown, can take their personal documents to be shredded at any of these events and have them shredded onsite.

The shredding events are intended for personal and sensitive documents only. Residents can recycle magazines, junk mail, and other papers through their municipal recycling program. Please remove all bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other paraphernalia prior to the event (staples are allowed). Pre-shredded, damp, or wet paper will not be accepted.

In addition to paper shredding, Union County’s additional seasonal recycling programs, Scrap Metal Recycling and Hazardous Waste Disposal, will begin this April.

Union County’s Scrap Metal events provide a space for residents to recycle various metal items, including refrigerators (with doors removed), metal cabinets, appliances, bicycles, aluminum scrap, and air conditioners. The scrap metal items are collected at two locations on the first Thursday and third Saturday of the month, from April to November. The first scrap metal events of the season will take place on Thursday, April 2nd & Saturday, April 18th, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. On these dates, residents may dispose of unwanted scrap metal items at either of our two convenient locations:

• Cranford: Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Rahway River Park (service yard across from swimming pool), 3 Parkway Drive

Union County’s first Household Hazardous Waste event of the season will take place on Saturday, April 25th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will be held at Union County Vo-Tech, West Hall/Police Academy Lot, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. At these events, residents can bring a variety of household chemicals for proper recycling or disposal. These items include, but are not limited to, oil-based finishes, motor oil, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides, fluorescent light bulbs, and more. Latex (water-based) paint (wall paint), medical sharps, and welding gas/ oxygen cylinders will not be accepted. Residents are advised to dry latex paint out at home using commercial paint hardener, sand, kitty litter, or sawdust. Once hardened, it can be thrown in your household trash.

All Union County recycling events are contact-free and drive-up only.  Residents must remain in their cars while staff unloads materials from their trunk.

For a complete schedule and more information on all recycling programs hosted by Union County, please visit ucnj.org/recycle/ or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. Residents may also contact their municipal recycling coordinator for more details about recycling in their community. The free Recycle Coach mobile app provides a handy way to find out what items are included in curbside recycling programs and drop-off sites in Union County. The app provides up-to-date information on both countywide and local recycling programs. Quick links to all environmental programs and activities hosted by Union County are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that the ballot position drawing for the June 2, 2026 Primary Election will be both in-person and livestreamed on Facebook. The drawing will be held on Thursday, April 2nd at 3:00 p.m. in Courtroom 401 in the Rotunda in the Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. A link for the livestream will be posted prior to the drawing on the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

“The ballot drawing will take place in person as provided for by statute, and we also offer the opportunity to view the proceedings online for those who wish to follow along remotely,” said Joanne Rajoppi.

Ms. Rajoppi also reminds voters who wish to vote by mail that they must apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot by Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Voters should also be aware of a recent update from the United States Postal Service. Postmarks now reflect when mail is processed—not when it is dropped off—meaning ballots mailed close to Election Day could receive a later postmark. In New Jersey, vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted. Voters are encouraged to mail ballots early or use secure drop boxes to ensure timely receipt. If the postmark reflects a date after the election date, the ballot will not be valid.

According to a recent state law, unaffiliated voters who wish to vote in the Primary Election by mail must declare their affiliation with either the Democratic or Republican Party by Wednesday, April 8. Party declaration forms are available for download at state.nj.us/state/elections/voter-party-affiliation-declaration.shtml. The completed and signed form must be returned to the Union County Board of Elections in Elizabeth. The new law does not apply to overseas voters.

Voters who wish to vote in person may do so on Election Day, June 2 at their regular polling place, or they may vote early from May 26 to May 31 at polling locations designated for early voting.

The early voting polling locations will be posted on unioncountyvotes.com.

For more information on voting in Union County elections, including applying for a Vote-by-Mail ballot, visit the County Clerk’s Elections Division online at unioncountyvotes.com or call 908-527-4996.

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

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that vote-by-mail ballots for the upcoming Annual Westfield School Election will be available beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Voters may obtain mail-in ballots in person at either of the two Union County Clerk’s offices:

Westfield
300 North Avenue East
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00am – 7:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Elizabeth
2 Broad Street
Monday through Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm

Vote-by-mail ballots for this election will also be mailed to voters who have requested them, beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The Annual Westfield School Election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Voters are encouraged to plan ahead and review all election materials carefully.

For more information regarding vote-by-mail, ballot drop-off options, and polling locations, please visit www.unioncountyvotes.com, contact the office at 908-527-4996 or email ucvote@ucnj.org.

Voters Must Update Their Party Affiliation by April 8th in Order to Participate in the 2026 Primary Election on June 2nd

The Union County Board of Elections reminds voters who plan to change their party affiliation that they must do so by April 8^th, in order to participate in their new party’s Primary Election on June 2^nd.

“Voters often do not realize that the deadline to change their affiliation is set long before Primary Day,” said Board of Elections Administrator, Nicole DiRado. “If you plan to change parties ahead of the June 2, 2026 Primary Election, please be aware that party declaration changes must be received by the Election Board by April 8^th.”

Ms. DiRado also wishes to highlight a relatively new law which went in to affect a few years ago.  Any unaffiliated voter, who has previously voted in a Primary Election and who has opted to receive a vote by mail ballot for all future elections, or for the June 2 primary election, must declare their party by April 8 in order to receive their vote by mail ballot.  Only voters who have never voted in a primary election or first time voters can receive a vote by mail ballot after completing a party affiliation form beyond the April 8 party affiliation deadline.

Ms. DiRado reminded voters that they can call the Board of Elections at 908-527-4123 to confirm their party affiliation.  Voters who conduct business with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission often inadvertently change their party affiliation during their transaction, and may not have even noticed it.

Party Affiliation changes are easy and can be done in several ways. Voters can:

• Update their party online at https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/register;
• Request that a Party Declaration Form be mailed to them by calling 908-527-4123, or emailing ucboe@ucnj.org;
• Request a form through the Union County Votes App; or
• Download a form at https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/forms-party-affiliation/party-affiliation-form.pdf or an English form.
• To download a form in Spanish, use https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/forms-party-affiliation/party-affiliation-form-spanish.pdf

Calling the Election Board is the best way for voters ensure they are ready to vote for their party’s candidates in the June 2^nd primary. The April 8 deadline does not apply to voters who are currently unaffiliated. They may declare their party at the polls during early voting from May 26 to May 31, 2026 or on June 2, Election Day.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, will be offering a free self-defense class for women ages 18 and older on Wednesday, April 22^nd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“We’re proud to offer self-defense classes for women that support confidence, awareness, and connection within our community,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “These classes break down simple, effective ways to stay aware and trust your instincts. Everyone deserves to feel confident in their ability to protect themselves.”

Empower & Protect: Self-Defense Essentials for Women 18 and Over is designed to empower participants with practical skills, confidence, and awareness. Led by experienced law enforcement professionals, these sessions provide hands-on instruction in personal safety techniques, situational awareness, and strategies to help prevent and respond to potential threats. Whether you are looking to build confidence, increase your personal safety knowledge, or take a proactive step toward self-protection, these classes offer valuable tools you can carry with you every day.

“Every class brings in a new group of participants, which tells us these sessions are really making an impact,” said Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli. “It’s encouraging to see so many women prioritizing their awareness and safety while building the confidence they need to feel more prepared in their everyday lives.”

Space is limited, and registration is required. These classes involve partnered practice, please consider registering with a friend or family member. To participate in the hands-on portion, attendees must complete a waiver, and wearing comfortable, gym attire is advised. For more information or to register, please visit www.ucnj.org/women. To contact Jennifer Erdos at the Union County Office on Women, please call at 908-527-4216 or email Jerdos@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of Elections reminds Westfield residents that Tuesday, March 31, 2026 is the deadline to register to vote in the April 21, 2026 Annual School Board Election.

To accommodate residents, the Board of Elections will offer extended evening hours on March 31, 2026, remaining open until 9:00 p.m. for voter registration.

The Westfield Annual School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voting will take place at regular polling locations. Residents can confirm their polling place by visiting www.ucnj.org/ucboe or by calling the Board of Elections at 908-527-4123.

Voters who wish to return their vote-by-mail ballot using a secure drop box may do so at the following locations:

• Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield
• Union County Administration Building (corner of Rahway Avenue and Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth)
• Union County Board of Elections, 271 North Broad Street, Elizabeth

For additional information, visit www.ucnj.org/ucboe.