Category Archives: Elections

Elections, Labor, Legislation

2021 Election Season: Endorsed candidates, voter & volunteer info.

Issues Matter.  Vote Union.

Vote “For a Better Life, for Equity and Civil Rights, for Freedom and for a Voice at Work and in our Democracy”

Election Day is November 2, 2021.

Voting by mail begins 9/18/21 in NJ.

Vote by mail can use county election drop boxes at these locations -https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/vote-secure-drop-boxes.shtml

Early voting begins 10/23–31 in all counties at these locations — https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/vote-early-voting.shtml

Am I registered to vote? — https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/registration-check

NJ Voter Info Portal - https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/vote.shtml

URA-AFT #1766 Endorsed State and Local Candidates — click here

Update: In addition to the full list of endorsements already announced, URA-AFT, by vote of its Executive Board on October, 4, 2021, endorsed Dennis Klein as a candidate for the Teaneck Board of Education and Alexis Jackson as legislative candidate for State Assembly, Legislative District 9.

Get involved in Election 2021 by participating in contactless Labor Walks and Virtual Phone Banks from home. 
A $50 stipend for each Labor Walk and $25 stipend for each Phone Bank is available.  Complete the Stipend Request Form — click here and email to kay.schechter@gmail.com.

Saturday Contactless Labor Walks are  9 am — Noon  and continue every Saturday through Election Day.

Here is the Labor Walk meeting site closest to New Brunswick, but you can go to any Labor Walk near your home.  Go to https://njaflcio.org/cope/labor-walks/ for the listing of all Labor Walks and Virtual Phone Banks.

Middlesex/Somerset CLC
IBEW 456
1295 Livingston Ave., North Brunswick
Wayne Martiak (908) 415‑8594 

Central Labor Council (CLC) phone banks are scheduled between 6 pm and 8 pm Monday through Thursday through Election Day on the dates listed on https://njaflcio.org/cope/labor-walks/.  Contact the CLC Presidents to volunteer.

Monday nights are the Middlesex/Somerset CLC Phone Bank day.  Contact Wayne Martiak at 908–415-8594 to sign up for Mondays.

9/28/21 at 5 pm — Pre-Debate Labor Rally for Governor Phil Murphy on Tuesday,9/28/21 at 5 pm at NJPAC, 1 Center Street, Newark  https://njaflcio.org/solidarity-alert-pre-debate-rally/.

COPE, Elections, Labor

Elections 2020: Member Volunteers Needed

How to volunteer and other membership resources

  1. It is more important than ever that we all vote this year. You can find all the information you need including where to cast your ballot at https://njaflcio.org/.  We are seeking volunteers to help with virtual phone banking with the Middlesex Somerset Central Labor Council. Phone banks will occur from Monday-Thursday, between 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    All phone banks will start with a brief training session over Zoom to familiarize participants with the virtual tools.Please contact Christine O’Connell (coconnell@ura-aft.org) with your availability and contact information. Any time you can give is much appreciated.
  2. Voter Information, resources and contactless volunteer opportunities

Union Endorsements 

  1. URA-AFT Endorsed Candidates and Ballot Questions
  2. Additional resources on public question #3:
    -Fair Districts New Jersey Analysis
    -Public Question #3 Interpretive Statement
COPE, Elections

Voting by Mail

(from AFL-CIO)

Election Overview: The Nov. 3, 2020, General Election will be conducted primarily by mail. Active voters do not need to apply for a VBM ballot. Postage pre-paid ballots will be mailed to all active voters from Sept. 19 through Oct. 5. Any new voter who registers on or before Oct. 13 will automatically receive a VBM ballot within 3 business days.

Voter Registration: The voter registration deadline is still Oct. 13. Online voter registration begins Sept. 4. Starting this year, New Jersey allows people on probation or parole to register and vote.

Returning Voted VBM Ballots: Voters can place their sealed ballots in U.S. postal system. Voters can place their sealed ballots in a secure and sanitized ballot drop box. To the extent possible, each county shall have at least 10 boxes in locations readily available to voters within the county. Voters can return their completed and sealed ballots to their designated polling place on Election Day (ID required).

Voting on Election Day: Any voter who has not cast their ballot by mail may vote in person on Election Day by provisional ballot only (it may not be your usual polling place). Any voter who has not cast their ballot by mail may deliver their completed VBM ballot in person to their designated polling place on Election Day (it may not be your usual polling place). Voters with disabilities may vote in person on Election Day with special accommodations.