'Unprecedented' Cost of Summer Election? Air-Conditioning

Keeping polling places cool has Montclair’s Deputy Mayor Bob Russo fired up.

The state has created an “unfunded mandate” by telling municipalities they must provide air-conditioning or fans for the August special primary election, Russo said at this week’s council meeting.

The August 13 special primary and Oct. 16 special election were called to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant with the recent death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D).

Montclair Municipal Clerk Linda Wanat told the board the town would not be reimbursed for the cost of fans, which were considered “equipment” by the state. Wanat calculated 26 fans would be needed at an estimated cost of $800. The cost for paying poll workers and overtime costs would be recovered, she said.

An August election is "unprecedented," Wanat said, and poll workers, many who are senior citizens, spend a long day at polling places.

Russo agreed it would be an imposition to have them work without the fans, but said the town should be reimbursed for any and all costs.

He called the special elections a “complete waste of taxpayer money,” echoing opposition from both Democrats and Republicans across the state over the governor's decision not to hold the Senate election in November, when his gubernatorial seat is up for grabs.

The total cost of the special election is estimated at $24 million, HuffPost reported, with counties expected to pay costs up front and wait to be paid back.

Important deadlines for August 13 special primary election:

• Tuesday, July 23 is the deadline to register to vote in next month’s special U.S. Senate primary election. An individual may register to vote by completing a registration application form, available for download on the Essex County Clerk’s website (English and Spanish language forms available). Forms are also available at the Municipal Clerk’s office, which will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 23.

• The deadline to apply by mail for a mail-in ballot for the special primary election is Tuesday, August 6. In New Jersey, any voter can now vote by mail. You do not need a reason to vote by mail. Download the Vote by Mail application on the Essex County Clerk's website:www.essexclerk.com/election_absentee.html.
Forms are also available at the Municipal Clerk’s office.

• The deadline to apply in-person at the Essex County Clerk’s office for a mail-in ballot application is 3 p.m. Monday, August 12.