2008 NEW JERSEY Chronological Elections Guide Election Dates Filing Petitions Duties of Election Officials Directory of County Election Officials Jon S. Corzine Governor Anne Milgram, Attorney General Department of Law & Public Safety Office of the Attorney General NJ Division NJ DEPARTMENT OF LAW & PUBLIC SAFETY of Elections The data for the 2008 Chronological Elections Guide was compiled by the Division of Elections for informational purposes only with regard to important deadlines for State & Federal, Non-Partisan Municipal elections held in New Jersey each year, and does not constitute legal advice. (check our Website for the latest version- www.NJElections.org) 2008 NEW JERSEY CHRONOLOGICAL ELECTIONS GUIDE 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Attorney General’s Letter 3 Director’s Letter 5 Division of Elections Staff Directory 7 Electoral Responsibilities for the Election Office in NJ 8 NJ Voting Information 10 Polling District Maps 13 Internet Resources 16 State & Federal Elections by Office & Year 17 Partisan Candidate Requirements 18 Independent Candidate Requirements 19 Glossary 20 2008 Chronological Election Guide Calendar - Full Chronological Elections Calendar 25 State and Federal Elections Calendar 37 Statutory Schedule for Non-Partisan Municipal Elections 53 Directory of County Election Officials - Atlantic County 58 Bergen County 60 Burlington County 64 Camden County 67 Cape May County 70 Cumberland County 72 Essex County 74 Gloucester County 76 Hudson County 78 Hunterdon County 80 Mercer County 82 Middlesex County 84 Monmouth County 87 Morris County 91 Ocean County 94 Passaic County 97 Salem County 99 Somerset County 101 Sussex County 103 Union County 105 Warren County 107 2 NEW JERSEY CHRONOLOGICAL ELECTIONS GUIDE 2008 2008 NEW JERSEY CHRONOLOGICAL ELECTIONS GUIDE 3 ATTORNEY GENERAL’S LETTER Dear Fellow New Jersey Citizens: Voting is an important right and responsibility. Voting gives us a voice in choosing our elected leaders at the local, county, state and federal levels, and, therefore, a voice in determining the laws that govern our towns and counties, our state, and our nation. As Attorney General, nothing is more important to me than ensuring we have fair, open, and well-run elections. I am committed to working with election officials to make the election process in New Jersey as inclusive and accessible as possible, and this year’s Chronological Elections Guide is part of that process. The Guide includes important deadlines for all elections held in New Jersey each year, including the annual school board elections held in April, the non-partisan municipal elections held in May, the party primary elections in June, and the general election held in November. Information is also available on-line in English and Spanish at www.NJElections.org. I hope you find the information included in the 2008 Chronological Elections Guide helpful in learning about our elections process, and I hope it reminds you to exercise your right to vote. Anne Milgram Attorney General 4 NEW JERSEY CHRONOLOGICAL ELECTIONS GUIDE 2008 2008 NEW JERSEY CHRONOLOGICAL ELECTIONS GUIDE 5 DIRECTOR’S LETTER Dear Voters and Friends: The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 has brought much change in voting and elections administration to New Jersey. With so many recent major elections, the State of New Jersey in collaboration with the membership of the New Jersey Association of Elections Officials; the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey - County Clerk/Register Section; and the Municipal Clerks’ Association of New Jersey have implemented many measures to improve the electoral process for voters. In addition, our elections officials are working hard to educate voters regarding the electoral process and they are committed to making voting in New Jersey accessible to all citizens. To this end, New Jersey offers the 2008 Chronological Elections Guide to provide a clear and comprehensive source of information concerning elections for each level of public elected office. The enhanced guide is a product of a cooperative effort between the New Jersey Division of Elections, the Department of Law and Public Safety - Election Law Section and a diverse group of election officials and voting advocates throughout the state, who are striving to ensure that voting concerns are addressed and the public is well informed. The right to vote is an important civil right, as well as, a civic responsibility. For further information about voting and elections, please visit our website at www.njelections.org. Donna Barber Acting Director NJ Division of Elections 6 NEW JERSEY CHRONOLOGICAL ELECTIONS GUIDE 2008 2008 NEW JERSEY CHRONOLOGICAL ELECTIONS GUIDE 7 NJ DIVISION OF ELECTIONS STAFF Donna Barber Acting Director Gloria Jean Berry Supervisor Election Administration Liz Valente Graphic Artist Technician Madeline Rodriguez Senior Clerk Typist Deryl Nerolich Senior Clerk Typist Dawn Schilling Clerk New Jersey Division of Elections 44 South Clinton Avenue, 7th Floor PO Box 304 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0304 Tel: 609-292-3760 Fax: 609-777-1280 TTY: 1-800-292-0039 www.NJElections.org For 24 hour pre-recorded assistance, please call 1-877-NJVOTER Directions from North New Jersey via Route 1: Take Route 1 South toward Trenton. You will pass the Perry Street exit, and will get off at the next exit. This exit will be labeled Trenton Train Station. You will get off the exit and proceed to traffic signal. Make left at signal and proceed under Route 1 get in the far right lane and follow the signs to the Trenton Train Station. Go through two lights and turn left at the second light, 44 S. Clinton will be on your right. Directions from North Jersey via Train: Take the NJ Transit Northeast Corridor line to the Trenton Train Station. Once you have arrived at the station walk out of the station using the main entrance. We are located across the street on your right at 44 S. Clinton. Directions from South Jersey: Take I-295 North to 129 toward Trenton, which is Exit 60. When you get on 129 and continue to the exit labeled Hamilton Avenue. Make a right turn onto Hamilton Avenue. At the next traffic light you will make a left onto South Clinton Avenue. Proceed to the second traffic light and continue straight thru the light, 44 S. Clinton will be on your right. Directions from South Jersey via Train: Take the NJ Transit RiverLINE to the last stop, which is Trenton. We are located across the street on your right at 44 S. Clinton Avenue. 8 NEW JERSEY CHRONOLOGICAL ELECTIONS GUIDE 2008 ELECTORAL RESPONSIBILITIES Outline of Primary Electoral Responsibilities for the Election Offices in New Jersey A. New Jersey Attorney General (through the Division of Elections): 1. Chief Election Official in the State to assure compliance with both the federal National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) which includes reporting requirements to the Election Assistance Commission, respectively. 2. Certifies voting machines for use in all elections. 3. Filing Officer for all federal and state public elective offices. 4. Oversees compliance with polling place accessibility for elderly and voters with disabilities. 5. Regulatory authority for voter registration, political party declarations, absentee voting, and election district requirements. 6. Clerk of the Board of State Canvassers, which certifies federal elections and state office and public question elections. The Board consists of four members of the Legislature. B. County Superintendent of Elections (in ten counties of New Jersey): 1. County’s Commissioner of Registration, responsible for review and maintenance of the County’s voter registration records. 2. Custodian of the County’s voting machines. 3. Police Powers to enforce election laws pursuant to Title 19, Election Laws of New Jersey. C. County Board of Election* (in all 21 counties): 1. Recruits, appoints, trains and supervises district board workers. 2. Certifies the polling places, which require inspection to insure compliance with accessibility requirements. 3. Canvasses and counts absentee and provisional ballots. 4. Issues challenger permits and badges. 5. Conducts election recounts, under court order. 6. Establishes and maintains election districts. * In those eleven counties without the Office of County Superintendent of Elections, the County Board of Election acts as the County Commissioner of Registration and custodian of the voting machines, but does not have police powers. D. County Clerk 1. Filing Officer for nomination petitions for county offices and petitions for independent municipal candidates. 2. Designs and prints ballot materials (i.e., absentees, emergency, machine strips, provisional and sample ballots). 3. Publishes the notice of absentee ballot availability for any statewide, countywide or school election in a regional or other school district comprimising more than one municipality. 4. Reviews absentee ballot applications; if approved, sends out ballot materials; if rejected, notifies voter. 2008 NEW JERSEY CHRONOLOGICAL ELECTIONS GUIDE 9 ELECTORAL RESPONSIBILITIES Outline of Primary Electoral Responsibilities for the Election Offices in New Jersey(cont’d) 5. Clerk of the County Board of Canvassers (which is the four member County Board of Election), which certifies election results for county, partisan municipal and school elections. 6. Filing Officer for Election Law Enforcement Commission reports by county and municipal candidates. 7. Issues Certificates of Election to county and municipal candidates duly elected at general elections. E. Municipal Clerk 1. Voter registration office for the receipt of voter registration and party declaration forms. 2. Recommends polling places to the County Board of Election. 3. Assists County Superintendents and Boards of Election in assuring the proper conduct of an election. 4. Publishes the notice for absentee ballot availability in any municipal election or in school election for a school district within a single municipality. 5. For non-partisan elections, the municipal clerk is the filing officer for nomination petitions, designs and prints the ballot and certifies the election results. F. School Board Secretary* 1. Filing officer for nomination petitions for school board candidates.