During the COVID 19 crisis, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has taken several initiatives in light of the challenges presented by the coronavirus. Union County is deeply concerned about the safety of voters and well as their democratic right to vote.

As a result, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has released a video with step-by- step instructions for voters wishing to vote-by-mail. The video can be accessed on the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, on the free Union County Votes mobile app and on the County of Union social media channels (Facebook).

The video was produced to address the requirement by the New Jersey State Legislature and the Governor that the November 3 General Election be conducted primarily through vote-by-mail and the fact that most voters are unfamiliar with the vote-by-mail process.

“This video was produced in order to assist people when receiving their mail-in-ballots. We cannot stress how important it is for voters to become familiar with Vote-by-Mail,” added Ms. Rajoppi. “Vote-by-Mail is a reliable and safe way to make your voice heard in the upcoming general election.”

Vote-by-mail ballots will be mailed to all registered voters beginning on Tuesday, September 15. Ballots will be mailed in waves by municipality and on September 15, ballots will be mailed to six of the 21 municipalities: Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Garwood, Fanwood and Hillside with the remaining municipalities to follow. Mailing dates for each municipality can be found on unioncountyvotes.com or on local municipal websites. All ballots for registered voters will be in the mail by October 5.  If voters do not receive their ballots by October 13 (8 days from final mailing), they are asked to contact the Union County Clerk Election Division by calling 908-527-4996.

“A step by step graphic how-to brochure will be enclosed with every ballot to help voters with the process. Voters with questions or concerns are asked to call the office of the Union County Clerk Elections Division at 908-527-4996,” added Ms. Rajoppi.

Ballots can be deposited in one of 22 ballot boxes placed around the county.  These boxes are under surveillance and picked up by authorized Board of Election personnel on a regular basis.  Locations of the boxes can be found by visiting unioncountyvotes.com or ucnj.org/ucboe.

Additionally, voters can drop off their ballots at:

• Union County Clerk’s Office, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth
• Union County Clerk’s Office, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield
• Union County Board of Elections, 271 North Broad Street, Elizabeth

Those wishing to register to vote can download a voter registration application from unioncountyvotes.com. Fill it out and mail it no later than October 13 in order to be eligible to vote in the General Election on November 3.

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