Category: Public Info

Free show starts at 7:30 p.m., must register on line beginning Sept. 8th to reserve spot

While the real “Boss,” has not played any live shows this year, fans of his music will be able enjoy a highly-regarded tribute act, the BStreetBand, as  the Union County Freeholders present them in a drive-in concert on Sunday, September 20^th, at the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus on 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains. Ray Andersen and Friends will open the show, which is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in attending must reserve a spot for the free show online at www.ucnj.org/concert-register.

First-come, first-served. The registration link goes live on Tuesday, September 8^th, beginning at 9 a.m.

“As so many New Jersey residents do, I enjoy the music of Bruce Springsteen, and the BStreetBand presents a compelling and enjoyable show,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We encourage our residents to come out for a free night of entertainment and great music in a safe setting.”

To help promote social distancing, no walk-ups, bikes or chairs are permitted. Vehicles will be arranged at least 6 feet apart with adequate social distancing. Port-o-johns and wash stations will be available. Masks will be required when using the port-o-johns. Attendees must stay in their vehicles (unless they need to use the port-o-johns). Those who are attending can bring their own food, and non-alcoholic drink. Alcohol is prohibited.

The BStreetBand, formerly known as “Backstreets,” claims to be the first band in the world to do a unique tribute to a live performer, beginning in 1980 with their first show in Asbury Park. There are now an estimated 140,000 tribute bands following their lead and performing all over the world.

Nearly 6,000 performances later, they describe themselves as the “hardest working tribute band” on the circuit with 175+ shows per year throughout the country. For more information on the BStreetBand, please go to: https://www.bstreetband.com/

Distribution is a joint effort with Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Produce will be distributed on a first come-first served basis.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Freeholder Board announced the County will hold an emergency drive-up food distribution for Union County residents to aid those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday, September 12^th, beginning at 9 a.m. at Kean University, located at 1000 Morris Avenue, in Union. The distribution will take place in the parking lot located at the intersection of North Ave. and Morris Ave.  The food distribution will be first-come, first-served and no registration is required.

The food distribution is being sponsored and coordinated by the County of Union and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

Feeding America, of which CFBNJ is a member, projects a 56% increase in food insecurity throughout New Jersey as a result of COVID-19–an additional 432,000 residents. This rate is higher than the national average of 46% and greater than any of New Jersey’s neighboring states.

In Union County, specifically, the projected food insecurity rate has risen from 8.2% to 12.9%.

“Despite the progress being made, food insecurity remains a major concern among many families,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board and the County continue to work hard in assisting our residents and these drive-up food distributions have been a lifeline to many affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“We are all working together to ensure that our residents receive the necessary resources to support them during this time as they face unprecedented  levels of unemployment, housing issues and food insecurity,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “This free food distribution is another example of the work being done by the Freeholder Board to assist residents in need during this pandemic. We thank the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and volunteers involved in coordinating this effort.”

Residents who wish to pick up food must arrive in a car; walk-ups will not be accommodated.

Upon arrival, each driver will have to present identification with their name and address and indicate how many people reside in their household. Recipients will receive an emergency box of non-perishable items and fresh produce, with enough to sustain a family for several days. Please note that only one box of food will be provided per vehicle. This event will take place, rain or shine.

“The increase in need for food assistance among our New Jersey neighbors during this crisis has been staggering, presenting a greater challenge than anything that the FoodBank has faced throughout its 45-year history,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Partnerships like the one that we have with Union County are what allow the FoodBank to continue its unprecedented response, reaching more individuals and families in need than ever before.”

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols. All recipients must remain in their cars with windows rolled up at all times, otherwise masks are required. Food boxes will be placed in the trunk or truck bed of the vehicle by volunteers.

For questions and more information, residents may call the UCDHS Director’s Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288.

To learn more about the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, visit: https://cfbnj.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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Union County, NJ – A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will visit the Union County Division of Police in the Department of Public Safety on September 21st, 2020 for a final on-site assessment of all aspects of Police Division Policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief of Police James C. Debbie announced today.

“Verification by the team that the Union County Police Department meets the Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Chief Debbie said.

“Participation by the community is part of the accreditation process, and the Freeholder Board welcomes the input of our residents as we strive to achieve the highest standards in public service,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call 908-789-6834 on September 21st, between the hours of 10am and 11am.  Email comments should be sent to dlynn@ucnj.org.

Additionally, anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Union County Police Division’s compliance with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program manager at hdelgado@njsacop.org or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, NJ 08053.

Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards.  A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Union County Police Division, located at 400 North Ave East, Westfield, NJ.  Please contact Detective Deanna Lynn at (908) 789-6834.

The Union County Police Department must comply with 105 standards in order to achieve accredited status.  Chief Debbie indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.” 

The Accreditation Program Manager for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Mr. Harry J. Delgado, Ed.S.  “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies.  The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed.  Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status,” Harry J Delgado stated. 

Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission please write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org.  

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the 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.

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Outdoor event requires masks in accordance with statewide guidelines for COVID-19 prevention.

 The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites the public to participate in the County’s third annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Saturday, September 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Warinanco Park in Roselle.

Masks are required for all those in attendance and social distancing will be enforced.

The event will feature a performance by the Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre and a showing of the Disney Pixar Movie CoCo which will begin at dusk. The first 250 people will receive a Union County Hispanic Heritage logo mask or fan and will be eligible for free tapas provided by “The Garden” food truck. Participants are advised to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

“Now more than ever, it is important to celebrate the diversity and cultural ties that build a strong, inclusive community,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The freeholder board is proud to celebrate the undeniable impact that people of Hispanic origin have and continue to have within this country while keeping safe & social distancing.”

This year’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration Honorees include Make the Road NJ, Carlos Rodriguez, CEO of the Community FoodBank of NJ, and Annarelly “Annie” McNair, Union County Public Health Officer.

“I am honored to be able to represent the Hispanic Community on our Freeholder Board and humbled to celebrate each year our communities’ rich traditions, wisdom, & strength. When we come together with our diverse cultures to support one another is when our families and community members thrive,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados.

This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month event is coordinated through the Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity in partnership with the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

The Office of Community Engagement & Diversity and the Countywide Hispanic Heritage Celebration event is part of Freeholder Chairman Granados’s 2018 “Moving Union County Forward” initiatives for supporting inclusion, individual empowerment and community engagement in Union County. For more information please contact the office coordinator, Nathalie Hernandez, at nahernandez@ucnj.org or 908-527-4880.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and a list of locations for walk-up tests, 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.

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Union County, NJ – Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado responds to questions about the 2020 General Election in the following letter-to-the editor:

Dear Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to respond to a Cranford resident who raised a number of very important questions about the upcoming November 3 General Election in a recent letter published in the Westfield Leader. In fact, many voters have the same questions as there are many changes taking place.

It is very important for voters to have access to reliable, informed guidance regarding elections, and all the more so this year as we implement measures to administer a Presidential General Election amidst a global pandemic. By Executive Order of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, the General Election will take place primarily through Vote-by-Mail ballots.

With that in mind, I encourage voters to visit the Board of Elections website at ucnj.org/boe for accurate, up-to-date information about the General Election, including tips for making sure your Vote-by-Mail ballot counts and answers to frequently asked questions. By September 15, updated polling locations will be available and by the end of September, updated locations for the next set of ballot drop boxes will be available.

Since the letter raised several questions about the ballot drop boxes, I would like to remind voters that the number of drop boxes will increase, from the five boxes available during the July 7 Primary Election to 13 for the upcoming General Election.

Each drop box is secure and accessible only by Union County Board of Elections staff.  The drop boxes will be emptied on a daily basis by a bipartisan team. In addition, each of the drop boxes will be under 24/7 camera surveillance. The original five locations are listed at ucnj.org/boe, and the additional locations will be available by the end of September.

The letter also raised concerns about delays in mail delivery. As a matter of course in every election, I strongly advise Vote-by-Mail voters to fill out and return their ballot as soon as they receive it, in order to ensure that it is delivered on time.

To account for delays in U.S. Mail service, ballots that are postmarked on or before November 3 will be counted if they are received by the Board of Elections by November 10. Ballots received by our office through the postal service without a postmark will also be counted, but only if they are received by November 5.

There are many other options available to voters to return their ballots to the Union County Board of Elections:

• Drop off the ballot at a designated, secure drop box.
• Deliver the ballot by hand to the Union County Board of Electionsoffice in Elizabeth at 271 North Broad Street, or to the Union County Clerk’s offices at 2 Broad Street, Room 113 in Elizabeth or 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Voters wishing to hand deliver their ballots must present either a NJ Driver’s License or an NJ-issued Identification Card and sign a registry, pursuant to existing statutes. 
• Designate a person to deliver your ballot for you. The Vote-by-Mail ballots include instructions on how to designate a ballot bearer. By law, one ballot bearer may deliver up to three ballots for other voters. Bearer ballots must be delivered to the Board of Elections in Elizabeth.
• Voters can also drop off their Vote-by-Mail ballots at their designated polling place on Election Day until the polls close at 8:00 p.m. This is a new option for the first time in this General Election. Voters can go to their designated polling location, wait in line, sign the poll book, and give their ballot to the poll worker who will place it in a secure transfer box.

On Election Day, Tuesday November 3, the Union County Election Board, the County Clerk’s Offices and the ballot drop boxes will remain open until 8:00 p.m.

Please note that voters without a Vote-by-Mail ballot can vote in person at their designated polling place. In-person voters must wear masks, observe social distance, and use a paper, provisional ballot in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. ADA-compliant voting machines will be available only for people with disabilities who cannot use a provisional paper ballot.

I hope this information answers most of the questions voters may have about the General Election. Again, voters should feel free to contact my office with any other questions or concerns they may have by calling 908-527-4123 or emailing ucboe@ucnj.org. My professional staff will be happy to assist.

Very Sincerely Yours,

 

Nicole L. DiRado, CMC, MPA

Administrator, Union County Board of Elections

 

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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 – Due to an upgrade project, the Union County Clerk’s Elizabeth Business Office for Passports, Notaries and Trade Names in the Union County Courthouse will be closed from Wednesday, September 2 through mid-October.

Persons in need of passport, notary or trade name services during that time can contact the Union County Clerk at 908-654-9859 to make an appointment at the Annex Office, located at the Colleen Frasier Building in the Union County Complex, at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

Please note that visits are by appointment only, and all visitors must wear masks and observe social distance in order to

prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including walk-up test locations and 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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Saliva tests begin on Sept. 3^rd in Hillside, results within 72 hours

Union County, NJ – The Union County Freeholder Board is pleased to announce that the Union County COVID-19 Mobile Test Unit is now offering residents free COVID-19 saliva tests. The saliva tests will be administered by the Mobile Test Unit during all scheduled upcoming community visits.

 

The Mobile Test Unit will exclusively administer saliva tests at all community visits going forward. Test results will be available within 3 days, which is sooner than the conventional swab test. This new community program builds on the Mobile Test Unit’s ongoing work of providing on-site tests for seniors in congregate housing, and for other at-risk populations in Union County.

The Union County Mobile Test Unit will start using the COVID-19 saliva tests at the next community visit scheduled for Thursday, September 3 in Hillside. Tests will be administered at Sanford Park, located at 274 Hillside Avenue, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. No appointment is required for this Mobile Test Unit visit.

“The Mobile Test Unit has enabled hundreds of our most vulnerable residents to receive a COVID-19 test in a familiar, convenient location. The new community program expands on this effort by offering saliva tests to our residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Saliva tests are less invasive and the test results come in faster.”

Any Union County resident can make an appointment at any Mobile Test Unit site, regardless of the municipality in which they live. Appointments are required for all community walkup testing visits unless otherwise stated.

Testing is free of charge and no doctor visit or car is needed; all tests are conducted on a walk-up basis with masks and social distance required. Residents should bring a tablet or smart phone with them. Those being tested are asked not to eat or drink 30 minutes prior to testing.

To pick a location, date and time, and to make an appointment online, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update/walk-up.

Union County residents who need to make an appointment by phone can call 908-518-4307 for assistance.

Municipal governments, non-profit organizations and other community groups can call the Union County Office of Emergency Management at 908-654-9881 to request a visit from the Mobile Test Unit.

The Union County COVID-19 Mobile Test Unit is staffed by health professionals with the Union County Division of Health, in the Department of Public Safety. The Mobile Test Unit has conducted more than 2,000 tests to date.

In addition, the free Union County COVID-19 Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University has conducted more than 43,000 tests to date, for Union County residents as well as front line emergency and medical personnel in New Jersey.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and a list of locations for the Mobile Test Unit, 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.

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Union County, NJ – In an effort to help more Union County residents who are experiencing financial hardship during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Freeholder Board is coordinating its food distribution efforts through a new Food Insecurity Task Force, with the goal of ensuring that assistance reaches every individual and family in need as the economic fallout of the crisis continues. The Task Force will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, September 2.

“The COVID-19 outbreak has created new financial stresses, burdens and barriers to food access,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Our civic partners and private sector donors have done an outstanding job of stepping up to provide food to those in need during this public health emergency. This crisis is far from over, and the new Food Insecurity Task Force will help us build on our work with a coordinated effort.”

“The COVID-19 crisis has had a direct impact on the need for food assistance to our residents. The County’s Department of Human Services administers the federal SNAP nutrition assistance program, and it has received more than 9,000 new SNAP applications since the COVID-19 outbreak began in March. As measured by data from the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, food insecurity in Union County has risen from 8.2% to 12.9% due to COVID-19,” explained Freeholder Sergio Granados, liaison to the Human Service Advisory Board.

“The Food Insecurity Task Force will improve communication and coordination among our partners to leverage all resources and develop an effective and efficient service delivery system to get food to those in need during this national health emergency,” added Freeholder Granados.

The new Task Force builds on the work of the Covid-19 Crisis Non-Profit Consortium, established by Union County Director of Human Services Debbie-Ann Anderson, which has coordinated the resources of the County and non-profit organizations. The Task Force members include the Union County departments of Human Services and Economic Development, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, United Way of Greater Union County, Union County Meals-on-Wheels, St. Joseph’s Social Services Center, the Salvation Army of Elizabeth, Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey and Community Bank of New Jersey.

The Task Force will also address underlying food insecurity issues that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, including untreated mental illness, inadequate school-based nutrition programs for children, unemployment, and lack of affordable child care.

Freeholder Granados noted that County employees joined with members of the Freeholder Board and volunteers from non-profit organizations to begin distributing boxes of shelf stable food and fresh produce in May. Union County has also organized food donations for thousands of residents in partnership with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and United Way of Greater Union County, with local social service agencies, other civic organizations, and with many individual volunteers and donors.

Since March, Union County’s Division on Aging in the Department of Human Services has delivered more than 200,000 meals to seniors and other home-bound residents, including more than 100,000 meals delivered to seniors who cannot use congregate meal sites due to COVID-19 safety precautions.

Jewish Family Services and the Union YM-YWHA have delivered a total of almost 12,000 kosher meals between March and August. In addition, a two-week supply of shelf stable food was provided to more than 2,000 seniors through the Meals on Wheels program. Human Services has also provided food to more than 150 families through its Division of Social Services food pantry since March.

In addition, a newly announced partnership between the Freeholder Board and Kean University will enlist student volunteers to help support a series of large scale, drive-up food distribution events organized by Union County and the Community FoodBank at the school’s campus on Morris Avenue in Union Township, which is also the site of the free Union County Drive-Through COVID-19 Test Center. The food distribution events take place on days when the Test Center is not in use.

To date, Union County has received $399,000 from the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act to fund meals for seniors through September 2021, and $759,656 for meals through the federal CARES Act.

For food and other assistance, Union County residents can call the Department of Human Services Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288, or email DHSAction@ucnj.org.

Seniors age 60 and older can call the Division on Aging toll-free at 1-888-280-8226, or call 908-527-4870, 908-527-4858. Spanish speakers may call 908-527-4863.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and a list of locations for walk-up tests, 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.

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Today, the family of Elizabeth native and LGBTQ+ Civil Rights activist Marsha P. Johnson was joined by Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados, Rebecca Williams and LGBTQ+ advocates to announce the future site of a public monument on Freedom Trail in the City of Elizabeth in Johnson’s honor. The monument is anticipated to be the first public monument in the State of New Jersey to honor a LGBTQ+ person and transgender woman of color.

In partnership with the family of Marsha P. Johnson, Union County Freeholders, City of Elizabeth officials, and Garden State Equality, the Office of LGBTQ Affairs will host a series of events during LGBTQ History Month (October, 2020) to engage with the community and the public to participate in the planning and creating of the historic project. For more information contact Danni Newbury, Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has answered voter questions in the following letter-to-editor, regarding the use of ballot drop boxes in the 2020 General Election on November 3:

Dear Editor: In the August 27, 2020 edition of The Westfield Leader, a resident listed several questions about the use of drop boxes for Vote-by-Mail ballots for the 2020 General Election.

I appreciate the opportunity to clarify what is meant by Vote-by-Mail. Although the name refers to mail, there are in fact four ways to return a Vote-by-Mail ballot. Voters can choose any of these options:

1. Use the pre-paid envelope to send the ballot by U.S. Post. To help ensure their ballots arrive on time, I strongly urge voters to fill out and mail their ballots as soon as they are received.

2: Bring the ballot to any one of the secure, official ballot drop boxes available in Union County. These boxes are open on a 24/7 basis and will be kept open until the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

3. Bring the ballot to my Main Office in the County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth, to my Annex Office at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, or to the Board of Elections office at 271 North Broad Street Elizabeth.
4. A limited number of polling places will be available in each of the 21 municipalities on Election Day. Voters may bring their Vote-by-Mail ballots to their designated polling place until the polls close at 8:00 p.m. Please note that voters who choose to vote in person at their polling place will be provided with a provisional paper ballot. Voting machines will be available only to persons with disabilities.

For additional details, including a list of ballot drop box locations and polling places, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions posted on my Elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, and on the free ucvotes app for mobile devices.

I also encourage voters with questions to contact my office by calling the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or emailing ucvote@ucnj.org.

As to the specific questions raised in the letter:

1. Is there a plan to distribute more ballot boxes in Union County?

For the November 3 General Election, a total of 13 locations are expected. There were five locations for the July 7 Primary Election.

2. How do you intend to communicate this information to residents?

The drop box locations will be available on my elections website at unioncountyvotes.com, on my free UC Votes app for mobile devices, and on the Board of Elections website at ucnj.org/boe. Five of the locations have already been announced and are posted. Additional locations will be announced and posted in the coming weeks.

As with all County Clerk announcements, the locations will be publicized through the media, and through Union County’ social media and First Alert systems.

In addition, voters can contact my Elections Division with any questions they may have by calling 908-527-4996 or emailing ucvote@ucnj.org.

3. How do I know that the ballot drop box is secure and cannot be tampered with?

The drop boxes are placed in locations that are subject to monitoring and surveillance. Only authorized personnel can access the drop boxes.

4. When it is time to empty the contents of the ballot box, will there be representatives of both parties present? Will the ballot boxes be emptied periodically during the month of October?

The ballot boxes will be emptied on a daily basis, with the final collection taking place when the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. A bipartisan team of authorized personnel will empty the boxes.

5. Please explain the process by which ballots are stored and counted.

Vote-by-Mail ballots have been a fixture in New Jersey elections for many years and will be stored securely and counted by optical scanner in accordance with standard practice. Please note that, as is the case with every election, all Vote-by-Mail ballots are included in the final, official tally rendered by my office.

6. For those who plan to vote in person on November 3, please explain how the process will be different.

To prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, in-person voters must wear masks and observe social distance, and use a paper provisional ballot provided at their polling place. Voting machines will only be used by persons with disabilities who cannot fill out a paper ballot. Please note that, as is the case for every election, all provisional ballots are included in the final, official tally rendered by my office.

7. If I requested a mail-in ballot but decide to vote in person on Election Day, can I vote in person?

Voters who request a Vote-by-Mail ballot and do not it receive by Election Day can vote in person at their polling place and use a provisional paper ballot. The polling places are also available to voters who receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot but prefer to vote in person, so long as they have not already returned their ballot.

8. Where can I personally hand in my ballot to a person?

As is the case for every election, voters who deliver a Vote-by-Mail ballot in person to my Main or Annex offices will hand their ballot my staff, and will observe as my staff places their ballot in a secure box. Please note that voters who deliver ballots to my offices will need to provide their New Jersey Driver’s License and sign a registry.

Again, thank you for helping to raise awareness about voting in the 2020 General Election. Thousands of Union County voters routinely use Vote-by-Mail to ensure that their voice is heard on Election Day, and I welcome the opportunity to educate new users about the process.  

Sincerely,

Joanne Rajoppi

Union County Clerk

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

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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