For your convenience, the City of Plainfield has been designated as one of the 5 drop off locations throughout Union County for Vote by Mail Ballots. A secured drop box has been placed in the
rear parking lot of City Hall
on June 22, 2020 and will remain through July 7, 2020. These drop boxes are under 24/7 surveillance.
Please note that on Election Day your polling locations are open for
Provisional Ballot Voting only
, with the exception of an ADA accessible voting machine for use by disabled voters who cannot vote on a paper ballot.
Please see some frequently asked questions regarding the July 7, 2020 Primary Election as provided by the Union County Clerk:
Who is going to automatically receive a VBM Ballot?
All active registered Democrats and Republicans will automatically be mailed a VBM Ballot.
Who is going to automatically receive a VBM Application?
All unaffiliated voters and inactive Democrat or Republicans voters will automatically receive a VBM Ballot Application. The VBM Application will be specifically designed by the Secretary of State for the July 7th Primary Election. The VBM Application will require you to declare your affiliation with either the Democrat or Republican Party. Once the completed VBM Application is received by the Union County Clerk’s Office, you will receive a ballot based upon your party affiliation on the VBM Application.
Is there a deadline to submit a VBM Application to receive a mailed VBM Ballot in time for the Primary Election?
YES
, the deadline for the Union County Clerk’s Office to receive a VBM Application in time to provide a VBM Ballot to the Voter by mail is June 30, 2020.
Is there a deadline to request an in-person VBM Application?
YES
, in-person VBM Applications will be accepted by the County Clerk’s Election Office until 8:00 pm on July 7, 2020.
Do I have to put a stamp to return the VBM Ballot and VBM Application?
NO
. All VBM Ballots and VBM Applications will have prepaid return postage.
How do I return my VBM Ballot?
Your ballot will include a return postage-paid envelope, (no stamp necessary) which will be included in the VBM Ballot packet that you will receive. You may mail your ballot through the US Postal Service. You also may deposit your ballot in one of 5 secure drop boxes located throughout the county that has daily pick-up or you may deliver your ballot directly to the Board of Elections.
When will the ballots be mailed?
The ballots will be mailed in waves beginning the first week of June. All voters will have received their ballots by mid-June.
What is the deadline for returning your VBM Ballot?
If you are using the US Postal Service, the ballot must be postmarked on or before July 7, 2020 and received by the Board of Elections by 8 pm on July 14, 2020 to be considered valid.
If you are using one of the 5 secure drop boxes, the deadline for delivering your ballot is 8:00 pm on July 7, 2020. Please contact the Board of Elections at 908-527-4123 for drop box locations.
If you are delivering your ballot in-person, you may deliver it to the Board of Elections Office up until 8 pm on July 7th; the night of the Primary Election.
If someone other than the voter is delivering the ballot to the Board of Elections make sure that they fill out and sign the Bearer Section on the left front side of the return envelope and the voter fills out the back of the envelope.
Does the Board of Elections require identification if I choose to deliver my VBM Ballot directly to them?
YES
. A voter delivering their own ballot is required to produce identification. If a Bearer is delivering the voter’s ballot, they too must produce identification. Contact the Board of Elections at 908-527-4123 to find out what identification is acceptable.
What should I do if I lose my VBM Ballot, it is destroyed or I do not believe I received it?
If your VBM Ballot is lost, damaged or you do not believe you received it, you may request a duplicate from the County Clerk’s Office. You may also visit the County Clerk’s Office up until 8 pm on Election night to request a duplicate ballot.
Will I be notified if my VBM Application is rejected?
YES
. Should your Application be rejected, the Union County Clerk’s Office will notify you of the reason(s) and you will be given an opportunity to cure the defect. Once the defect is cured, you will be issued a VBM Ballot. Be advised that if a VBM Application is received too close to Election Day, time may not permit the application to be cured to allow the voter to receive a VBM Ballot.
How will I know where my polling place will be located?
The Board of Elections will be choosing a limited number of Polling Places available for voters on Election Day, where only Provisional Paper Ballots will be available to cast your vote. A Provisional Paper Ballot is similar to voting on your VBM Ballot. You will be receiving a post card notifying you of the polling location in your municipality.
Will I be receiving a Sample Ballot?
NO
, because you will be receiving a VBM ballot, on which you will cast your vote. Sample ballots can be viewed at www.unioncountyvotes.com
(this website)
How will I be notified of the location of the 5 secure drop boxes?
Please contact the Board of Elections at 908-527-4123 for convenient locations. The County Clerk’s office will also post the locations on its website once the locations have been identified by the Board of Elections.
Will I be permitted to vote in-person on the voting machine if I go to my polling place?
NO
. You will not be permitted to vote on the machine if you go to your polling place. Voters who appear at the polling location will be permitted to vote ONLY on a Provisional Paper Ballot. (A Provisional Paper Ballot is similar to voting on your VBM Ballot).
We urge you to use your VBM Ballot, as Provisional Ballots are counted last and must be checked against the VBM Ballots that have already been cast before they are accepted.
How will I vote if I am disabled and require an accessible ballot?
If you have a disability and need an accessible ballot, please contact the Union County Board of Elections at 908-527-4123 or you may go to your assigned polling place, which will provide access to an in-person accessible voting device on Primary Election Day.
May I return my VBM Ballot to the polling location on Primary Election Day?
NO
. VBM Ballots will not be accepted at the polling location.
