ARTICLE: Have a Plan to Vote, and Vote Column "A" Garwood!
By Jen Blumenstock | Published in the Union County Hawk, October 26, 2023
Election Day is approaching quickly, so it’s more important than ever to have a plan to vote. There are three ways to vote in this year’s General Election:
1. At the Polls on Election Day (of course)
Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th!
Voters on the north side of Garwood (Districts 3 and 4, including Vermella 1) are voting at the Garwood Free Public Library (Third & Walnut), while new for this year, voters on the south side of Garwood (Districts 1 and 2, including Vermella 2) are voting at the Columbian Club of Garwood (37 South Avenue--but accessible by the Willow Avenue parking lot entrance, which is ADA compliant). To confirm polling locations, visit https://vote.nj.gov/ and click on “Polling Location”. Polls are open from 6 AM through 8 PM on Election Day, and don’t forget, anyone who is in the building, waiting on line at 8 PM, is able to vote!
Any resident who needs help getting to the polls on Election Day may contact the Garwood Democrats “Voter Uber” anytime after 8 AM on November 7th by calling or texting 908-413-5615, and one of our volunteers will be happy to transport you!
2. Vote-By-Mail
The deadline to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot is Tuesday, October 31st . You can do this by following the instructions found at https://vote.nj.gov/ or by contacting the Union County Clerk’s Office at 908-527-4996.
It is recommended that Vote-By-Mail ballots be placed in a secure ballot drop box, one of which is located in front of the Garwood Free Public Library (at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Walnut Street), or hand delivered to the Union County Board of Elections (271 North Broad Street, Elizabeth) by 8 PM on November 7th. Registered voters can use any secure drop box in Union County that’s convenient to them, it doesn't have to be the Garwood box! Additional locations for secure drop boxes are listed at https://ucnj.org/boe/ballot-drop-box-locations/, or call 908-789-4123 for a list. Drop boxes are collected every morning and delivered to the Election Board Offices in Elizabeth under police escort. All drop box locations are also under video surveillance.
Please remember to sign the Vote-By-Mail Certificate in order for your vote to be counted. Ballots received at the Board of Elections Office can be tracked by using the “Track My Ballot” tool found at https://vote.nj.gov/.
Please note: Vote-By-Mail ballots cannot be returned and accepted at the polls on Election Day, or at any of the early voting locations; however any secure drop box may be used up to 8 PM on Election Day.
3. In-Person Early Voting
This option allows any registered voter in Union County to cast their ballot in person, on a voting machine, during a nine-day period prior to Election Day. In-person early voting locations will be open across Union County beginning on Saturday, October 28th through Sunday, November 5th, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays.
Our closest early voting location is in Cranford at Union County College, 1033 Springfield Avenue, the Nomahegan Building (Room N4). This building is near the security booth in Parking Lot #1. Additional locations for early voting will be listed on the Union County Board of Elections website at: https://ucnj.org/boe/
No matter how we choose to vote, the most important thing is TO CAST YOUR VOTE BY NOVEMBER 7TH. I hope this information was helpful and that everyone will support the Democratic team up and down the ballot on Column A this year! And please, don’t forget to check off our local team of Vincent Kearney, Karina Boto and Sean Keagan Foley for Council on your ballot!
Jen Blumenstock
Mayor of Garwood