Category: Public Info

Hand addiction intervention program to operate year-round, 24-hours a day, according to a joint announcement made Tuesday afternoon by New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo, and Prevention Links Chief Executive Officer Morgan Thompson.  Under the new program, all suspects arrested in the county for low-level possessory offenses involving heroin or other opioids will be offered face-to-face access to rehabilitative services at the time of arrest.

The program is part of an effort to address the ongoing opioid epidemic, which continues to affect New Jersey and the country generally.  In the past five years, more than 500 people in Union County have died due to a drug overdose.

“Using as our model the program Attorney General Grewal started in Bergen County as Prosecutor and expanded statewide as Attorney General, Union County hopes to bring life-saving recovery assistance to those in the throes of addiction through our launch of Operation Helping Hand 24/7/365,” Prosecutor Ruotolo said. “The opioid epidemic has had a devastating cost in lives lost and futures diminished.  We in law enforcement recognize that while we continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who profit from poisoning the people we serve, we must do more in our fight to save the lives of those who have fallen prey to addiction.  Operation Helping Hand 24/7/365 is our effort to do more, and we are grateful for the partnership we have with Prevention Links, and the support we have from state and county government, to accomplish this goal of doing more.”

In support of the new initiative, Prosecutor Ruotolo has issued a directive mandating that every law enforcement agency countywide put protocols in place to ensure a smooth and all-encompassing implementation of the program.  Operation Helping Hand 24/7/365 requires that law enforcement officers offer all individuals arrested for possessory level opioid offenses the option to meet face-to-face with a peer recovery coach from Prevention Links at the time of their arrest.  If the individual decides to avail themselves of the program, a peer recovery coach from Prevention Links will respond to police headquarters to meet with the individual to discuss recovery options and coordinate access to services.  The individual’s criminal charges are not discharged as the law enforcement officers are required to uphold the law, but as Ruotolo said, “not doing more in that moment is a lost opportunity for law enforcement to bring help to those who need it.” 

“Union County’s expansion of its Operation Helping Hand program to a year-round, 24/7 service demonstrates the kind of commitment we were looking for when we encouraged counties to implement pilot programs reflecting OHH’s core concept of proactively engaging law enforcement in reaching out to at-risk individuals,” said Attorney General Grewal. “By taking the unprecedented step of offering OHH intervention and support services on a continuous basis, Union County assumes a leadership role in the fight to end the addiction epidemic and brings hope to the countless individuals impacted by this devastating health crisis.” 

This initiative, and others geared toward addressing the opioid epidemic, have been bolstered by grant funding obtained from state and county government. Specifically, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office was recently awarded $62,500 from the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety’s 2019 Overdose Data to Action Operation Helping Hand Grant.  The Union County Prosecutor’s Office is also the recipient of $100,000 in grant funding through Governor Phil Murphy’s Operation Helping Hand Grant.  The acceptance of the aforementioned grant funding was approved by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and County Manager Edward T. Oatman.  In addition, the Freeholders, and Director Debbie-Ann Anderson, of the Department of Human Services have awarded grant funding to Prevention Links in support of the incredible services they provide county residents.  The Freeholders also dedicated $110,000 in direct County funding to Prevention Links for the expansion of the Operation Helping Hands program for 2020.  The Union County Prosecutor’s Office is able to allocate a portion of the grant funds received from the State to Prevention Links, and combining those funds with what was awarded from the Board of Chosen Freeholders, Prevention Links was able to hire additional staff so that Prevention Links could serve as the primary rehabilitative partner in this innovative law enforcement initiative.

In 2016, while serving as the Bergen County Prosecutor, Attorney General Grewal developed Operation Helping Hand as a new and innovative way to combat opioid addiction. Under his leadership, the first multi-county “Operation Helping Hand” initiative was launched in five counties, including Union, in June 2018. Through state and federal funding, the Operation Helping Hand program was expanded to 17 counties in September 2018, and to all 21 counties in the state in September 2019.

In May 2019, Union County law enforcement agencies pooled their resources for a second week-long Operation Helping Hand session, during which approximately 88 percent of the 148 people contacted through the program agreed to engage in some form of rehabilitative assistance. Of the individuals who accepted help, 56 were entered into inpatient detox treatment, 43 entered intensive outpatient or community-based support program, and 29 entered medically assisted treatment. Remarkably, included in those accepting help at the time were 25 “walk-ins” – drug users who were not arrested, but had heard about the program through word of mouth and approached law enforcement for recovery assistance.

The statewide expansion of Operation Helping Hand has been fueled in part by $1 million in federal funding and $2.2 million in state funding dedicated during the last two years alone. This is, however, the first anywhere that the program has been implemented full time.

“This initiative has shown and will continue to show a commitment on the part of our county to leverage every opportunity to connect individuals struggling with addiction to a life of recovery,” Thompson said. “For some, this may be the first time they are ever offered help.”  Thompson and Prevention Links have been a Union County partner in Operation Helping Hand from its inception.

The expansion of Operation Helping Hand to the new 24/7/365 model is one of many ways that law enforcement is working to address the opioid epidemic in Union County.  Earlier this year, Prosecutor Ruotolo formed the Opioid Task Force, which operates out of the Major Crimes Division of the Prosecutor’s Office, and tasked it with helping persons suffering from opioid addiction get the help necessary to address their disease, while also aggressively investigating those profiting from the sale of heroin and the deadly fentanyl.

In 2017, the Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (CLEAR) program was launched, sponsored by the Union County Board of Freeholders, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, and Union County Police Department. Through the program, citizens seeking help can travel to one of two locations – the Union County Sheriff’s Office in the New Annex Courthouse basement level, 27 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth, and the Union County Police Department headquarters, 300 North Ave. E., Westfield – anytime from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, where they can be connected to addiction recovery services free of charge and turn over user-level quantities of drugs and paraphernalia without fear of arrest, prosecution, or questioning.  These services will continue, and Operation Helping Hand 24/7/365 is an expansion of these innovative efforts.

In addition, since 2014, patrol officers countywide have been equipped with supplies of naloxone, a lifesaving overdose-reversal drug. Since that time, police have deployed the drug more than 1,000 times, with more than 90 percent of recipients surviving.

Winning civic engagement idea to be implemented as part of Freeholder Chairman Mirabella’s initiative to encourage participation in the 2020 Census

Union County, NJ – The Union County Freeholder Board announced is pleased to announce that the winning slogan for a countywide 2020 Census campaign spearheaded by high school students is “It Makes Sense to…Come to Your CENSUS 2020.”

The winning slogan was created by the “Red” team, an 18-member group of students from 18 different high schools who participated in Union County’s annual UC-STEP youth leadership conference in December.

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I congratulate the Red team for their winning idea,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “With the help of enthusiastic students throughout Union County, we hope to encourage everyone to participate and be counted in the 2020 Census.”

“The 2020 Census is critical to our ability to obtain federal grants in support of transportation, education and other vital needs,” added Mirabella.

The “It Makes Sense to…Come to Your CENSUS 2020” encourages high school students throughout Union County to help raise awareness about the 2020 Census by taking specific action steps, such as inviting a Census representative to speak at a school assembly.

Students will also compete to sell the greatest number of 2020 Census-themed pens and bracelets. For every five Census awareness bracelets or pens sold, students will be entered into a raffle to win a pair of tickets to a rare big-screen showing of the classic film The Wizard of Oz, at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

Representatives from the Red team were presented with a congratulatory Freeholder Resolution on Thursday.

The members are: Maria Gomez – Admiral William F. Halsey Leadership Academy; Jensi Javier – Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy; Kristen Jeudi – Benedictine Academy; Mackenna Heesters – Cranford High School; Julianna Rei – David Brearley High School; Alyssa Pradhan – Governor Livingston High School; Nicholeecha Simone-McLeon – Hillside High School; Laron Murray – J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy; Gabriela Garcia – John E. Dwyer Technology Academy; Abby Wilson – Jonathan Dayton High School; Zaria Berrios – Rahway High School; Maleya Christian – Summit High School; Rosemary Hernandez – Thomas A. Edison & Technical Education High School; Edwin Rojas – Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy; Millicent King – U.C. TEAMS; William Chinchilla – U.C.V.T.S.; Jonathan Choi – Union Catholic Regional High School and Rhode Gardese – Union High School.

A focus on participation in the 2020 Census is part of Chairman Mirabella’s initiatives for the current year. In working to count every resident in the 2020 Census, the Freeholder Board will also partner with community and municipal “Complete Count” committees as well as Kean University and Union County College, among others.

The “It Makes Sense to…Come to Your CENSUS 2020” campaign will kick off on March 4 and conclude on April 11.

Businesses and organizations wishing to support the student effort can contact their local high school for more information.

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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.

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Award ceremony precedes theatrical performance of Raisin A Musical

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will recognize Rahway Councilman David Brown with the eighth annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award during the County’s Black History Month celebration on Saturday, February 8^th, 7 p.m. at the historic Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

The event begins at 7:00 p.m. and features Raisin A Musical, which is an adaptation of the landmark play, A Raisin in the Sun, which portrays a few weeks in the life of the Youngers, an African-American family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. Raisin A Musical’s  music is by Judd Woldin and lyrics by Robert Brittan. It is directed by Khy Garner, and conducted by Teddy Kernizan. The book is by Robert Nemiroff and Charlotte Zaltzberg. Raisin A Musical is presented through the combined sponsorship of the County of Union, City of Rahway, and the Union County Performing Arts Center.

“Councilman Brown has dedicated his life to public service and to assisting working families, youth and those less-advantaged through his various community endeavors,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “His outstanding contributions to both his hometown of Rahway and Union County exemplify the true meaning and essence of the Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award.”

“David Brown has been a leader and an asset to the Rahway community for over 50 years and continues to bring tremendous energy to his many roles,” said Rahway Mayor Raymond Giacobbe. I could not be prouder to have served with him on Rahway’s City Council and, as Mayor, I continue to rely on his extensive knowledge, insight, and dedication to our City. He has positively impacted the lives of thousands of residents – especially our youth – and is well-deserving of this honor.”

“Councilman Brown has been a driving force, who has spoken truth to power, and defended the disenfranchised,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams. “He has served his community honorably, and continues to be an active champion of progressive values.”

“Councilman Brown is an inspiration, and a beacon of light in the greater Rahway community,” said Freeholder Andrea Staten. “He’s had an enduring public service career that has spanned more than six decades, and he continues the good fight for equity and justice for all.”

“Councilman Brown has boundless energy and enthusiasm that has led to a long and distinguished career in both the private and public sectors,” said Freeholder Angela Garretson.  “As a Councilman, his contributions as a servant has contributed to the transformative revitalization in Rahway and his work in neighborhoods and relationships with local leaders and community members is truly a part of his demonstrated success”

Mr. Brown has served as the Fourth Ward Councilman for the City of Rahway for the past 24 years.

For decades prior to holding elected office, Mr. Brown helped lead the Rahway Community Action Organization, which is centered out of the John F. Kennedy Center on E. Hazelwood Avenue. Founded in 1967 by Mr. Brown’s brother, Charles, the Rahway Community Action Organization is one of the oldest community-based, non-profit organizations serving Union County families. The organization’s focus is on early childhood learning, family strengthening and senior services.

As a result of Mr. Brown’s efforts in collaboration with the City administration and the County of Union, the building currently houses a Union County Family Success Center, which is a community-based gathering spot where any resident can go for family support, information and services.

As a Councilman, Mr. Brown has worked to shepherd along improvements that have led to Rahway’s revitalization, including major investments in the Downtown area, which has resulted over the past few decades in the renovated Union County Arts Center, a new library complex, new Train station, plaza area, new housing and apartments, and an explosion of restaurants and art places.

During this time, the City has witnessed a renaissance in its neighborhoods, and many public facilities have been either newly built or renovated.

Professionally, Mr. Brown ran his own Rahway-based business, D and S Systems Distribution—a clean room and equipment accessories company—for more than two decades before selling it.

Mr. Brown’s inspiration for a life in public service began in the early ‘60s, under the tutelage of Lilian Wilder, the Rahway NAACP Youth Council advisor.   Soon after joining the local chapter of the NAACP, the venerable organization that championed civil rights, Mr. Brown held the same position of his longtime mentor once his peers elected him Youth Council advisor. With unmatched enthusiasm, he counseled a new generation of African Americans on the principles of civic duty.

Thirty years later, Mr. Brown received the NAACP Hall of Fame Award in 1992, for his years of distinguished service. Mr. Brown understood the transformative power of leadership. The skills he acquired while working with the NAACP provided a unique vantage point in the legislative process.

In 1996, Mr. Brown was elected 4the Ward Councilman within the City of Rahway. This victory was special for him because he moved to the 4the Ward with his parents after he was raised on the family farm on Randolph Avenue in nearby Avenel. His parents Willie and Mable were sharecroppers and they instinctively taught their youngest son David to help others in need.

As Councilman, Mr. Brown has served as Vice Chair and Chairman of the Union County Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee. He has been instrumental in the R.C.A.O. (Rahway Community Action Organization) receiving $890,000 in funding, and the City of Rahway a total over $15 million in funds for the Home Improvement Program, street resurfacing, senior citizen programs, and improvements to Madden Field, Brennan Field, and all the playgrounds within the city.

Mr. Brown is a Trustee at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, and a Right Worshipful Past Master of the MOAB Masonic Lodge #70 in Rahway. He is a member of the Rahway Retirements Club.

Mr. Brown has two daughters, Dana and Jay-Me.

The Humanitarian Award was created by the Freeholder Board in honor of the late former Freeholder Chester Holmes, who was known for his lifelong dedication to community service. Mr. Brown is the first resident of Rahway to receive the award.

This event will take place at the historic UCPAC Main Stage at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway, as part of a month-long celebration of Union County programming in recognition of Black History Month.

Admission is free but tickets are required to guarantee seating. For ticket information, contact the Box Office by email at boxoffice@ucpac.org or by phone at 732-499-8226.

Union County, NJ – In light of two recent deaths that occurred in New Jersey when teenagers fell through thin ice, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents to stay off the ice while visiting county parks.

“A coating of ice may appear inviting, but the fact is that no pond or lake in Union County has been declared safe for skating or other uses so far this winter,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The Union County Department of Parks and Recreation regularly surveys ice on bodies of water in County parks and determines whether it is thick enough to support skating and other activities.

“Winter weather has become less dependable than in years past, so outdoor activities that residents routinely enjoyed a generation ago are becoming less available,” said Mirabella. “If you’d like to skate, your best bet is to visit the County’s indoor skating rink at the Warinanco Sports Center in Roselle.”

Winter safety regulations in Union County parks include:

• Skating, sledding, and walking on outdoor ice is prohibited unless the ice is declared to be in safe condition by the County of Union.
• Downhill skiing is prohibited. Cross-country skiing is permitted in certain areas.
• Sledding is permitted in Echo Lake Park and in other designated areas only. In addition, toboggans, bobsleds and other non-steerable devices are strongly discouraged for safety reasons. Sledding may be suspended in case of inadequate snow cover or severe ice.
• Snowmobiles are prohibited.

For a list of the winter safety rules and regulations, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation/parks-regulations.

The Warinanco Sports Center is located on 1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park, in Roselle. Please visitwarinancopark.com for open skating sessions and other activities.

For additional information regarding winter activities, please call the Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 527-4900 or visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

Union County, NJ – With the spring break travel season approaching, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi advises residents that the postal rate for expedited passport applications has gone up this year.

“Travelers can save money by conducting their passport business at least eight weeks ahead of their travel date, in order to avoid extra charges related to expedited processing,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

The new expedited rate, including Express Mail Postage, is $187.15 for adults and $157.13 for children. The regular rate is $110.00 for adults and $80.00 for children.

Union County residents can visit the Union County Clerk’s offices in Elizabeth and Westfield to apply for new passports and have passport photos taken. There is a $10.00 fee for passport photos.

For more information on passport services, including office hours and locations, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk/passport-services. To contact the offices by phone, call 908-527-4966 for Elizabeth or 908-654-9859 for Westfield.

More information on all County Clerk programs and services, including property records and elections information, is available at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to host a free educational presentation and panel discussion covering New Jersey’s new streamlined confirmatory adoption law and other LGBTQ family planning concerns. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Hamilton Stage, located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway.

Seating is limited and preregistration is required online at ucnj.org/lgbtq.

Confirmatory adoption is the formal, legal process that establishes parental rights in a married couple, where one parent is not able to contribute genetic material or gestate the child. The new law is designed to provide relief for married couples that use assisted reproductive technology, including LGBTQ couples.

“With the passage of Senator Scutari’s confirmatory adoption legislation, signed into law by the Governor last week, the Freeholder Board is proud to host this presentation and panel discussion to help increase awareness of the new streamlines second-parent adoption process and other legal protections for LGBTQ families,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“At a time when states across the country are implementing laws that discriminate against LGBTQ families and deny them the protection of the law, here in New Jersey our state legislators are leading the country on a path toward equal protection for all,” Mirabella added. 

Organized by the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs in partnership with the law firms Singer & Fedun, LLC and Guston & Guston, LLP, the presentation is designed to help LGBTQ individuals and allies learn more about family planning and the state of LGBTQ family protections in New Jersey.

“There is a general assumption that the 2015 marriage equality ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court solved the equality issues for LGBTQ people, but the reality is that a web of Federal and State law continues to enable discrimination,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “Untangling those threads will be a process of public education and advocacy, and we hope that events like this one will help.”

The presentation highlights New Jersey’s new confirmatory adoption law and changes to the legal process for families seeking protection of parental rights where one parent does not contribute genetic material. Same-gender, different-gender and transgender couples are all covered.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with the panelists, including Danni Newbury, Coordinator of the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Suzanne DiOrio, Special Deputy Surrogate for Union County, Bill Singer, Esq. of Singer & Fedun, and Debra E. Guston, Esq. of Guston & Guston

The presentation will also cover key life and family planning topics that directly affect the LGBTQ community, including building and protecting non-traditional family structures and the portability of parental rights.

Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, under the Department of Economic Development, was established by the Freeholder Board in 2018 and is the first and only county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey.

The Office of LGBTQ Affairs provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Elections reminds residents that May 12 is the deadline for voter registration for the 2020 Presidential primary. Primary Day will be on Tuesday, June 2.

Voters must be 18 years of age and citizens of the United States. Residents who are currently 17 and will turn 18 on or before Election Day may also register to vote.

Incarcerated persons are not eligible to vote, but a new law will provide voting rights to persons on parole or probation. Persons currently on parole or probation can register to vote beginning on March 17, when the new law goes into effect. The May 12 deadline still applies.

To download a voter registration form visit the New Jersey state elections website at nj.gov/state/elections/voter-registration. Be sure to print and sign the form before returning.

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

Residents can also obtain a form in person at their municipal clerks’ office. Below is the schedule for openings on May 12, the voter registration deadline.

For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4123.

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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.

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to become Union County Medical Reserve Corps volunteers and receive free CPR training on Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“The Medical Reserve Corps is composed of Union County residents who have made the commitment to step up as additional assistance in the event of an emergency,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Whether it’s a destructive storm, a public health threat or a purposeful attack, Union County is better prepared to respond to emergencies, thanks to citizen involvement through the Medical Reserve Corps.”

Participants will earn 3.5 Public Health Continuing Education credits with the completion of this training.

Eligible applicants should be adults age 18 and older, active or retired healthcare professionals in good standing, non-medically trained community members with a commitment to their community, public health professionals, or students of a health profession. In addition, residents willing to be trained to fill key support positions are also welcome to apply.

The Medical Reserve Corps consists of more than 200 medical and non-medical professionals. It was developed in order to help the County prepare for emergencies on a regional basis.

Through the Medical Reserve Corps, disaster planners can swiftly identify community members who have a professional background that enables them to provide assistance during an emergency. The additional volunteers enable trained responders to focus their efforts on priority situations that require specialized skills.

The Reserve Corps also helps to ensure that more citizens throughout Union County are prepared to provide assistance in an emergency. In case an extreme event makes travel difficult, Reserve Corps members can help out locally until career responders arrive.

Many Medical Reserve Corps volunteers have a background in health care fields, but medical training is not needed in order to join. Communications, transportation, emergency shelter management and other related skills play a critical role in effective emergency response.

Medical Reserve Corps volunteers participate in training and planning sessions, and they also conduct public outreach efforts on a regular basis.

All participants must be registered with Union County Medical Reserve Corps. Being that space is limited for this event, interested residents should call 908-518-5631 to register.

For more information on the Union County Medical Reserve Corps, contact the Union County MRC Unit Coordinator, Lovely Randle, at 908-518-5631 or email uchealth@ucnj.org.

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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.

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The Union County Sheriff’s office will be hosting a free, Children’s Coloring/Activity Book competition for the Spring of 2020. High School students will be eligible to create a child’s coloring/activity book that centers around one the following topics: Bullying and/or Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Police Officers are Your Friends, Traffic Safety, Personal Safety, Drug Safety or Weapon Safety.

“This program provides a tremendous opportunity for high school students to use their creativity and impart valuable information to younger students,” said Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli.

The competition is open to High School students only. High Schools will be eligible to submit as many applications to the competition as they wish. The book content must be appropriate for students aged Kindergarten through 5th grade. One winner will be chosen from each submitted topic. The winning books will be published and distributed throughout Union County community events starting this summer.

Registration forms to enter the competition must be submitted by February 14, 2020 with all entries in the competition to be submitted by May 8, 2020.  The registration form can be filled out online at https://ucnj.org/sheriff/childrens-coloring-and-activity-book-competition/. Entries must be submitted via email in a PDF format to thalpin@ucnj.org, as well as mailed in a printed copy to:

Union County Sheriff’s Office c/o Tara Halpin
10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07207

Interested students and residents can learn more about the contest, rules for book entries, and details on the prospective topics at https://ucnj.org/sheriff/childrens-coloring-and-activity-book-competition/, or by contacting Sergeant Tara Halpin at 908-527-4032 or thalpin@ucnj.org.

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

“Party-affiliated 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 this year, please be aware that you will need to make that change by April 8 in order for it to take effect in time for the June 2 Primary Election.”

Ms. DiRado also reminded voters that they can call the Board of Elections at 908-527-4123 to confirm that their party of choice has been properly recorded.

“Visitors to Motor Vehicle Commission offices have the opportunity to review their voter information during the visit, and a simple phone call will ensure that any changes have been accurately recorded,” she said.

The April 8 deadline does not apply to voters who are currently unaffiliated. They may declare their party at the polls on June 2.

Unaffiliated voters who vote by mail will have an opportunity to declare their affiliation when they receive their ballots. They receive a ballot for each party, and they return only the ballot for which they declare.

For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe or call 908-527-4123.

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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.

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