VOTE411 Voter Guide

The County Clerk is responsible for maintaining and providing secure access to several types of official records. Most records are historic and current property deeds, voter registrations, and other election related records such as historic ballots, petitions, and official election results. Historic immigration and naturalization records from 1800 to 1988 are also maintained within the clerk's office, in addition to the birth and emancipation records of enslaved residents of Hunterdon County.

The clerk's office also registers business trade names, issues veteran and county IDs, files veteran discharge paperwork, officiates marriages, assembles and submits U.S. passport applications, and provides notary services.

As a current New Jersey state employee, I create public facing documents that are incredibly detailed and that must be clear and straightforward for use by the public.

I have broad expertise and technical capabilities that I will leverage to create more efficient maintenance of records, better communications about services, and increased hours of operations and access to clerk services.

1) Update and restructure online information to allow for more services to be conducted online. For services that cannot be conducted online, improve the information listed online to help residents come to the clerk's office fully prepared. 2) Provide mobile office hours, where services are taken to municipalities across the county for those who may need to access services, but are unable to travel to Flemington. Also provide regular extended-office hours at least twice a month. 3) Digitize property and other historic records and create and maintain a secure, online search system, as is available in every other New Jersey county. 4) Provide better and more extensive Spanish language -resources online and in-person.

Strict adherence to state election laws. More engaging poll-worker training. More transparent and proactive communication regarding how ballots are processed and counted.

While not widespread, some accusations have been made within Hunterdon County about the integrity of our elections. Even if this does not occur again, it is essential to be proactive about the process and processing of voting in Hunterdon. I plan to explain as many of the election pieces are possible, from amplifying the way voting locations are chosen, how people can register to vote, how poll workers are trained, the requirements of and process of citizens to vote-by-mail, how voting machines in Hunterdon tabulate votes, how provisional ballots work to ensure no one votes more than once, and how election results are fully tabulated and certified.

If a specific concern is raised in the future, it is important to address the concern, without amplifying it. I would issue a video and written statement that would reiterate the security of our elections, highlighting the area of concern and referencing the other aspects of election security.

The County Clerk provides a wide range of essential services to Hunterdon County residents, including overseeing key aspects of the election process, maintaining and recording property and other public records, processing passport applications, and helping residents access important documents and information. During my tenure as County Clerk, I have focused on operating an efficient and responsive office that provides residents with dependable service. As the county’s chief election official, I work to ensure voters have clear, accessible information about registration, Vote by Mail, early voting, and Election Day. I have also expanded office hours, including evening and weekend availability, to make services more convenient for residents whose schedules may prevent them from visiting during traditional business hours. Above all, I approach the responsibilities of County Clerk with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to administering the office in a fair and bipartisan manner. My focus has been, and will continue to be, providing excellent service and putting the needs of Hunterdon County residents first.

If re-elected, I will continue to provide responsive, high-quality service while looking for practical ways to make the County Clerk’s Office even more accessible and convenient. A focus will be continuing to identify and implement proven technology that makes it easier for residents to access information and conduct business with the Clerk’s Office while allowing residents who prefer in-person assistance to receive the same personal and attentive service they have come to expect. The Clerk’s office is upgrading our land records system. The upgrade includes plans for land record kiosks to be installed in the County libraries next year, allowing residents additional access to the land records. As a security precaution Hunterdon property records are not available online to anyone and everyone, which can lead to identity fraud and other problems for county residents. The safety and security of the public’s property records and personal information is a top priority of the Clerk’s office.

I support a proactive approach that combines voter education, public outreach, and strong election preparedness. One of the most important things the County Clerk can do is ensure voters have clear, accurate information about their options, including vote-by-mail, early voting, and voting in person on Election Day. I will continue making myself and my office accessible to answer questions and going directly into our communities to meet with residents and provide reliable election information. Election security also requires preparation and strong coordination among county, state, and federal partners. I will continue regularly engaging with fellow election officials and state agencies on issues affecting election administration and participating in election preparedness and tabletop exercises with emergency management and other public safety partners. Ultimately, voters should have confidence that our elections are administered professionally, securely, and fairly. I will continue working to ensure Hunterdon County voters have both the information they need to participate and confidence in the integrity of the election process.

My approach would be straightforward: follow the law, work with the appropriate authorities, be transparent about the findings, and ensure the public receives accurate and timely information.

If questions were raised about the integrity of an election, I would take them seriously and work collaboratively with the appropriate county, state, and, when necessary, federal officials to ensure the concerns were properly reviewed. Just as importantly, I would communicate openly with the public about the facts and the outcome of that review. Election officials have a responsibility to provide accurate information, distinguish verified facts from speculation, and give voters confidence that legitimate concerns will be addressed appropriately.