Author: corinnefiretto

Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado informs voters that the polling place list and drop box locations for the 2024 General Election are available on the UCBOE website at www.ucnj.org/ucboe. The 2024 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5.

All 24 secure ballot drop boxes will open September 20, 2024 for the 2024 General Election and will remain open through the close of the polls on November 5, 2024 at 8:00pm. Drop boxes are under camera surveillance 24/7, available to voters 24/7 and ADA accessible.

For a complete list of polling locations and ballot drop boxes in Union County, please visit the Board of Elections website online at ucnj.org/boe.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to join the Annual Columbus Day Flag Raising event. The ceremony will take place on Friday, October 11th, at 11:00 a.m., on the steps of the Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth.

“We take pride in celebrating the achievements and contributions of Italian Americans, who have enriched all aspects of our lives and continue to shape the fabric of our communities,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, who will be emceeing this year’s program. “Today, we honor their cultural heritage and recognize their hard work, dedication, and legacy here in Union County and across the nation.”

This year’s featured speaker will be Joshua G. Losardo, Mayor of Scotch Plains, a proud Italian American and long-time advocate for the Italian-American community.

In recognition of their continued contributions, the Union County Board of County Commissioners will also honor various Italian-American organizations within Union County with a formal resolution presented during the event.

“As a proud Italian-American, I am honored to continue supporting this annual tradition that celebrates our rich heritage and the countless contributions of Italian-Americans to Union County and beyond,” said Commissioner Alexander Mirabella. “The values of hard work, community, and service are deeply rooted in our culture, and it is a privilege to stand with Italian-American organizations like UNICO and others, who embody these principles through their dedication to education, philanthropy, and cultural preservation.”

Italian-style refreshments and pastries will be served following the program on the courthouse grounds.

For more information, please contact Judith Guest, Community Engagement & Diversity Coordinator at (908) 527-4388 or via email at Judith.Guest@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the first-ever Union County Food Security Summit, which will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Kean University Liberty Hall Academic Center. This groundbreaking event will unite local food pantries, soup kitchens, community leaders, and advocates to strengthen collaboration, share resources, and address food insecurity across the county.

“The Food Security Summit is a reflection of Union County’s ongoing commitment to creating a community where no one has to worry about their next meal,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “By coming together, we can ensure that our local food pantries and soup kitchens have the resources they need to provide both immediate aid and long-term solutions to those in need. We are grateful to all who are contributing to this important work.”

The summit takes place during the month of October, recognized nationally as “Tackling Hunger Month,” emphasizing the critical need to address food insecurity. This event is a key part of Union County’s ongoing efforts to combat hunger, and it provides an important opportunity to bring attention to the challenges faced by local food distribution organizations as they work to support residents in need.

The Union County Department of Human Services (DHS) and its partners will highlight the importance of community-based efforts to combat hunger and underscore the County’s commitment to addressing food insecurity as part of its broader human services mission. Through this initiative, DHS is building a network that not only addresses immediate food needs but also connects individuals and families with services that promote economic independence and resilience.

“Addressing food insecurity requires constant innovation and collaboration, which is why events like this summit are so important. After participating in discussions at NJAC and learning about effective models, including those from Bergen County, I was motivated to bring those insights back to our Union County team to formulate our own program and summit,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, Liaison to the Union County Human Services Advisory Council. “This conference will help us identify new ways to combat hunger, foster self-sufficiency, and create a stronger network of support for our residents. We are grateful to everyone who is joining this critical conversation.”

The event will feature expert-led workshops, Q&A discussions, and networking sessions designed to address the most pressing challenges faced by food pantries and soup kitchens. Key topics include:

• Best practices for food distribution and logistics
• Strategies for expanding outreach and maximizing resources
• Collaborating with local governments and nonprofits to enhance service delivery
• Connecting clients to comprehensive support services, including housing, employment, and mental health programs

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites all local food service providers and community stakeholders to participate in this essential summit. To register for the event or for more information, please visit https://ucnj.org/food-summit/.

The Union County Department of Human Services is committed to providing programs and services that promote the well-being of County residents, with a special focus on vulnerable populations. Through partnerships with community organizations and agencies, DHS helps individuals and families achieve stability and self-sufficiency by addressing basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare while offering opportunities for economic growth and personal development.

For more information, please call the Union County DHS Action Line at 908-677-5405.

Union County voters may use any of these locations for early in-person voting

Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado advises Union County residents that eight locations have been selected for those wishing to cast their vote early, in-person for the 2024 General Election. Any registered, Union County voter can use any of these sites to vote in-person, by machine from Saturday, October 26 through Sunday, November 3, 2024.

“New Jersey has expanded voters’ rights by introducing early voting in 2021,” said Ms. DiRado. “We encourage voters to use early voting, or a vote by mail ballot, to cast their vote ahead of Election Day.  Making a plan to cast your vote is important and there are now more options in New Jersey than ever before.”

The eight convenient locations are:

• Cranford: Union College, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Nomahegan Building, Room N4,

Near the Guard Booth – Parking in Lot 1

• Elizabeth: Sampson Community Center, 800 Anna Street
• New Providence: DeCorso Senior Center, 15 E. 4^th Street
• Plainfield, Union College, Church Street, Between E. 2^nd & E. 3rd
• Rahway:  Rahway Recreation Center, 271 E. Milton Avenue
• Roselle: Amalfe Community Center, 1268 Shaffer Avenue
• Union Township: Union Township Senior Center, 652 Rahway Avenue
• Union Township: Kean University, New Academic Building, corner of North Avenue and Morris Avenue, Lobby Access

All of these early voting locations will be open during the following hours:

• Saturday, October 26, 10am – 8pm
• Sunday, October 27, 10am – 6pm
• Monday, October 28, 10am – 8pm
• Tuesday, October 29, 10am – 8pm
• Wednesday, October 30, 10am – 8pm
• Thursday, October 31, 10am – 8pm
• Friday, November 1,10am – 8pm
• Saturday, November 2, 2024, 10am – 8pm
• Sunday, November 3, 10am – 6pm

Upon arriving at an early voting location, voters will sign in on an electronic poll book.  The electronic poll book will print a bar code on the ballot card so the voting machine knows which ballot to activate.  The ballot card will be inserted into the voting machine which begins the process for the voter.

Please note that these locations are for in-person, machine voting only. Mail-in ballots cannot be submitted at these locations.

Voters who plan to use a mail-in ballot can deposit it in any of the twenty-four (24) Board of Elections’ secure drop boxes in Union County, return it to the Board of Elections by U.S. Postal Service, or hand-deliver it to the Board of Elections office in Elizabeth by November 5, 2024 at 8pm.

Voters who choose to vote in person on Election Day, November 5, must use their designated polling place.

For more information, including a list of drop box locations and an online polling place finder, visit the Board of Elections online at ucnj.org/ucboe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4123.

Union County residents interested in helping voters at polling locations on Election Day this year have time to apply to become poll workers. Poll workers will earn $300 for the day, starting at 5:15 a.m. through at least 8:15, after the close of the polls. The General Election is held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

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 in the 2024 Presidential Election is a great way to be involved in the democratic process!

Any Union County resident who is 16 years or older, can apply to become a poll worker.  Union County residents who are 18 years or older shall be registered to vote.  Union County residents who are 16 or 17 may work an 8 hour shift on Election Day.

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 www.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.

The Union County Board of Elections reminds residents that Tuesday, October 15 is the deadline for voter registration for the 2024 General Election. Election Day will be on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

“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 15 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 in both English and Spanish 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.