The Union County Board of Elections encourages voters to attend a series of hands-on public demonstrations for Union County’s new ExpressVote XL voting machines this spring.
“The Union County Board of Elections is undertaking an aggressive outreach campaign to ensure our voters are educated on how to use the new machine prior to Election Day,” said Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado. “We anticipate adding more preview demonstrations as Election Day comes closer, so please visit our website for the most up to date schedule.”
Voters in Westfield and eight other municipalities will use the new machines starting with the Primary Election on June 4, and the remaining 12 municipalities will use them starting with the General Election in November.
The purchase of the new machines was approved by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders last October. The Board of Elections introduced them on a pilot basis in Westfield during the General Election in November.
“The demonstration sessions are a good opportunity for voters, and the general public, to learn about new technology that helps ensure the integrity of our elections,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.
No pre-registration is necessary to attend a demonstration session. All public demonstration sessions are open to all County residents on a walk-in basis, including non-voters as well as registered voters.
Board of Election staff will be on site at each location to offer guidance on using the new machines. They are also available to assist with voter registration and poll worker applications.
For schedule updates and a video demonstration of the new machines, visit the Board of Elections online at ucnj.org/board-of-elections.
“Our staff is also available to bring the new machines to community groups and civic organizations on request,” Ms. DiRado added. “Please contact my office to schedule a visit.”
Weekly public demonstrations are open to all County residents every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Colleen Fraser Building in the Union County Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.
Weekly demonstrations for all County residents are also available every Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the first floor of the Union County Court House, at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth.
One-day sessions are available to all County residents during the following dates and times at these locations:
April 8 – 3:00pm – 7:30pm, Union Township Public Library, 1980Morris Avenue
April 22 – 3:00pm – 7:30pm Union Twp. Public Library, Vauxhall Branch, 123 Hilton Avenue
May 1 – 4:30pm – 7:30pm, Liberty Hall center, 1085 Morris Ave., Union Township (takes place during Union County Cultural & Heritage Affairs Reception)
May 13 – 3:00pm – 7:30pm, Union Township Public Library, Vauxhall Branch, 123 Hilton Avenue
May 14 – 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Union Township Municipal Building – 1976 Morris Avenue
May 22 – 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Union Township Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Avenue
The new ExpressVote XL voting machines will be rolled out in two stages for the Primary and General elections.
Voters in Berkeley Heights, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Kenilworth, Mountainside, Union and Winfield will use the new machines for the 2019 Primary Election on June 4. Westfield will continue to use the new voting machines, following the successful pilot program last year.
Voters in Clark, Cranford, Hillside, Linden, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield and Summit will use the new machines for the 2019 General Election in November.
“The ExpressVote XL machines are the first new voting machines used by Union County voters in twenty years,” said Ms. DiRado. “They represent a significant investment in the election infrastructure of Union County, providing voters with ease of use and visual confirmation that their vote is recorded properly.”
The ExpressVote XL machines combine a touch screen ballot marking device with a voter verified paper audit trail, allowing the voter to review their voting choices to ensure their vote is accurately recorded.
The voter verified audit trail also provides a paper record of the election which can be used for recounts and will be used for audits.
For additional information, or to schedule a demonstration for civic organizations and community groups, visit the Board of Elections online at ucnj.org/board-of-elections or call 908-527-4123.